Politics

Is Free Speech Under Assault in Japan?

All That Corn: Did Abe Con The Japanese Public on US Trade Deal?

Thanks to Trump and Abe, Japan will suddenly have a lot more corn. But does it actually need it?

From Drunken Disaster to Japan’s Joke Party

The case of Maruyama Hodaka (丸山穂高) raises an interesting question: what's next after you nearly bring your country to war with the Russians?

The Knights: New Japanese Political Party Gets Disabled Candidates Elected

How did a three-month-old party win seats in Japan's Upper House? Its leader did something rare in politics: he put other peoples' interests before his own.

The Fools: A Joke Political Party in Japan Wins a Seat (and Taxpayer Funds)

How a party that seeks to "topple" Japan's public broadcast system made waves - and secured power - through performance art.

Japan Tackles Its Plastic Problem

From Cup Noodles to onigiri wrappers, some major Japanese businesses are taking steps to reduce plastic waste. But many experts say these companies aren't addressing the real problem.

Japan’s Predicted Pension Gap Puts Government on the Defensive

A government report telling citizens they'll need to save big to make it to 95 has Japan anxious - and Prime Minister Abe is scrambling to contain the fallout.

Japan’s Olympics Minister: From Faux Pas to Fired in Two Hours Flat

He was vilified worldwide as the cybersecurity chief who didn't use a computer. But Sakurada Yoshitaka's gaffes didn't stop there...

Japan Considers Compensation for Forced Sterilization Under Eugenics Law

Japan's eugenics law remained on the books until 1996. Now, the victims are fighting back - and the country's government grapples for a formal response.

Politics

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