#JAPAN: Prime Minister Survives Oppo. Confidence Vote

[world politics news] 

Japan's lower house of parliament voted down a no-confidence motion submitted against the cabinet of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday.

It was submitted by the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ) a day after the prime minister said he was unequivocally not planning to imminently dissolve the lower house of parliament and call a snap election.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JAPAN: Woman Of Uyghur Ethnicity Wins Seat In Parliament

[world politics news]

A Japanese woman of Uyghur ethnicity and who was educated in the United States has been elected a member of the Japanese parliament — the first person of Uyghur heritage to run as a major party candidate in an election there.

Arfiya Eri, a 34-year-old member of the Liberal Democratic Party, or LDP, was elected on Sunday to the lower house of the Japanese Diet to represent Chiba prefecture’s 5th district. She captured the seat previously held by Kentaro Sonoura, a former LDP lawmaker who resigned last December over a political funds scandal.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JAPAN: Absent YouTuber Expelled From Parliament

[world politics news]

A YouTuber-turned-lawmaker was expelled from the Upper House on Wednesday for not attending any parliamentary sessions since being elected last year, making him the first member of parliament to be removed in more than seven decades.

The expulsion of Yoshikazu Higashitani, who goes by the name GaaSyy, is the most serious reprimand of four levels under the national Diet law. He lost his status as a lawmaker while abroad.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JAPAN: Citing Threats, Gov't Set To Expand Military

[world politics news]

The Japanese government has unveiled plans to drastically expand its defense capabilities. 

In what would be the biggest military build-up since World War II, Tokyo aims to double its defense spending over the next five years and install missiles capable of striking an enemy launch site. 

It's a controversial move, marking another major step away from the country's pacifist constitution that severely limits the use of military force. 

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JAPAN: PM Dissolves Parliament For Oct 31 Snap Election

[world politics news]

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida dissolved parliament Thursday for a general election on Oct. 31, as the lower house comes to the end of its four-year term. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner, Komeito, are seeking to maintain their dominance in the Diet despite political headwinds.

Kishida, elected as LDP leader last month, has said that the goal of the coalition is to retain a simple majority. While it may lose seats, the party hopes a fresh face will lift the party's public support even as the economy remains sluggish amid the COVID pandemic.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JAPAN: Kishida Elected Prime Minister By Lower House Of Parliament

[world politics news]

 

Fumio Kishida, widely known as a low-key consensus builder, had been voted in as Japan's new prime minister by Japan's lawmakers.

The soft-spoken scion of a Hiroshima political family, Kishida beat popular vaccine chief Taro Kono to win leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party last week.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JAPAN: Yoshihide Suga Elected LDP Party Ldr. Will Become Prime Minister

[world politics news] 

Yoshihide Suga was elected president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Monday, making him all but certain to become prime minister of the world's third-largest economy later this week.

As widely expected, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's chief cabinet secretary defeated former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida. Suga took 377 of 534 votes, with Kishida way back in second on 89. Ishiba came last with 68 votes.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JAPAN: PM SHINZO ABE EXPECTED TO STEP DOWN OVER HEALTH CONCERNS

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to step down as prime minister amid speculation over his health, NHK reported Friday, throwing the political center of Nagatacho in turmoil over the question of who will take over.

Abe was expected to speak to reporters at 5 p.m. local time.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JAPAN: PM Abe Returns To Hospital After Check-Up; Sparking Health Fears

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe returned Monday to a Tokyo hospital where a week ago he underwent what an aide called "a regular health checkup," the visit coming on the same day he marks a record as Japan's longest-serving prime minister in terms of consecutive days in office.

Abe was taken to Keio University Hospital for a follow-up to his previous visit, said Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga.

Speculation about the 65-year-old's health has been swirling since he spent more than seven hours at the hospital on Aug. 17. Questions began being asked about his health after a magazine reported he had vomited blood in July.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JAPAN: Gov't To Cut Senior Benefits, Urge Elderly To Work Longer, Amid Aging Crisis

[world politics news]

The government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans to cut benefits given to employees aged between 60 and 64, whose salaries drastically drop when they turn 60. Japan is facing an increased demographic burden after decades of rapid ageing of the population and falling birth rates. Critics argue Abe’s government has done little to reverse the trend. People aged 65 or older are expected to reach nearly 40 per cent of the population by 2060, according to the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research.

Abe’s cabinet has approved bills to call on businesses to allow their employees to work until the age of 70.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JAPAN: Environment Minister Questions Gov't Funding Of Vietnam Coal Plant

[world politics news]

Japanese Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has called into question Japan's financing of a coal-fired power plant in Vietnam.

Environment Ministry officials say a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation and others are planning to build the Vung Ang 2 power plant in Vietnam's Ha Tinh Province. The government-affiliated Japan Bank for International Cooperation is among those considering funding the project.

Koizumi told reporters on Tuesday that he finds it odd that Japan is financing the construction of a power plant that will be built by Chinese and US companies.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JAPAN: Former Justice Minister And His Wife Deny Wrongdoing In Vote-Buying Scheme

[world politics news]

A former justice minister and his wife said they will not resign from the ruling party or the Diet after investigators searched their home and offices for evidence in a vote-buying scandal.

Katsuyuki Kawai apologized to reporters on Jan. 15 in his first public appearance since he stepped down as justice minister on Oct. 31 over allegations that his wife, Anri, overpaid her campaign staff members in the Upper House election in July last year.

He insisted he would not leave the ruling Liberal Democratic Party nor step down as a Lower House member.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JAPAN: Gov't Plans National Drone Registry Amid Rise In Incidents

[world politics news]

The Japanese government plans to introduce a drone registry system amid a rise in drone-related incidents. A decision on the plan was made at a meeting of senior officials from the transport ministry, the police and other government agencies.

The small, unmanned flying object is becoming more widespread in Japan. The decision comes amid growing concerns that drones could be used in terrorism. Officials also hope that such a system would help reduce drone-related incidents.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JAPAN: Parliament Allows Teachers More Extended Holidays

[world politics news]

Parliament has introduce a new working-hour system that will enable public school teachers to take extended holidays, as part of work style reforms.

The system is designed to enable teachers to take some five consecutive days off and add other days, such as Saturdays and Sundays, during school breaks in the summer so that they can have a longer holiday, in exchange for increasing regular work hours in busy periods.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JAPAN: Consumption Tax Rate Rises From 8% To 10% Today

[world politics news]

The Japanese national consumption tax rate rose from 8% to 10% on Tuesday as a way to secure a source of funding for ballooning social security costs and promote fiscal reform, marking the third increase since the levy was introduced in 1989 and the first hike since April 2014.

The increase to 10% was initially scheduled for October 2015, but Prime Minister Shinzo Abe postponed the hike twice due to concerns about the impact on the Japanese economy.

The government has prepared a series of measures to soften the blow to consumers, including the introduction of a reduced tax rate of 8% for certain goods, and of a point program for cashless payments.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JAPAN: Two Major Opposition Parties To Form Joint Group To Challenge Abe's Ruling Liberal Democrats

[world politics news]

Japan's two largest opposition parties will form a joint group in both houses of the Diet in an attempt to challenge the ruling bloc's dominance.

Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Yukio Edano and Yuichiro Tamaki, who heads the Democratic Party for the People, agreed on the plan during a meeting roughly one month after an upper house election that saw the ruling bloc secure a solid win.

Pictured: Yukio Edano, Leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JAPAN: In Debate, PM Abe Says Sales Tax Hike Will Go Ahead In October

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said during a debate with opposition leaders that he will go ahead with the planned sales tax hike in October but vehemently denied there will be further increases while he remains in power.

Although rumors that Abe might postpone the tax hike have died down, with an Upper House election in less than three weeks, questions have been raised over whether there might be further tax hikes.

Japanese voters go to the polls tomorrow to elect the House Of Councillors, the upper house of the Diet, the nation's parliament.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JAPAN: Pre-Election No Confidence Motion Against PM Abe Fails

[world politics news]

A no-confidence motion against the cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was voted down Tuesday in the lower house, with the ruling bloc fending off opposition camp criticism about the government's handling of a pension report before an upper house election.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JAPAN: Resolution Urges Resignation Of Opposition Legislator Who Urged War With Russia To Regain Disputed Islands

[world politics news]

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner Komeito have jointly submitted to the Diet, Japan's parliament, a resolution rebuking an opposition lawmaker who suggested that Japan wage war with Russia to regain control over a group of disputed islands.

In the resolution, the ruling coalition said the comment made by lawmaker Hodaka Maruyama “runs counter to pacifism” and “significantly undermines Japan’s national interest,” describing it as “absolutely intolerable.” The parties closed their resolution by urging him to “reflect seriously on” what he said. Japan Innovation Party expelled him for his comments.

For his part, Marumara said he "could not" resign, and said the Diet, as a place for free speech, is "signing its own death warrant" with the motion.

[FULL STORY HERE AND HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JAPAN: Emperor Akihito Gives Final Speech As Emperor In Long-Planned Abdication Ceremony

[world politics news]

Japanese Emperor Akihito abdicated the throne Tuesday, bringing the three-decade-long Heisei era to a close. A ceremony to mark the occasion was held at the Imperial Palace. Akihito gave his last speech to the people in his current role.

"Since ascending the throne 30 years ago, I have performed my duties as the Emperor with a deep sense of trust in and respect for the people, and I consider myself most fortunate to have been able to do so. I sincerely thank the people who accepted and supported me in my role as the symbol of the State."

The ceremony was long-planned, as the Japanese parliament, the Diet, passed legislation last year to allow the 85-year-old monarch to resign his office due to age and ill-health. He is the first Emperor in Japan to do so in over 200 years. His eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito, formally ascends the throne later today. A new era - called Reiwa, meaning order and harmony - will begin in Japan's unique calendar, which assigns a name to each emperor's "era."

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.