JAPAN: Challenging agenda awaits as Diet considers digital agency legislation
The Bank of Japan (BOJ) announced the results of a policy review at its meeting on 18-19 March. The review resulted in several changes to the BOJ’s asset purchases and interest-rate targeting Yield Curve Control (YCC) program, but on the whole, the policy review indicates that th… Become a member to read the rest […]
JAPAN/US: Allies take sharper tone on China but next steps unclear
Ministerial-level talks between US and Japanese officials produced a more explicit condemnation of China’s behavior than ever before. The statement acknowledges the reality that the two allies are increasingly focused on deterring and countering China, but it is unclear … Become a member to read the rest of this article
JAPAN: Challenging agenda awaits as Diet considers digital agency legislation
On Tuesday, 9 March, the House of Representatives began deliberations on a government legislative package to create a digital affairs agency, one of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s top priorities upon becoming prime minister last year. After the pandemic revealed significant sho… Become a member to read the rest of this article
JAPAN: Suga faces new obstacle as ministry reveals son’s ties with regulators
On Wednesday, 24 February, Internal Affairs Minister Ryota Takeda announced the results of an internal investigation that found that 13 current and former Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) officials had violated administrative ethics rules. The officials, 11 o… Become a member to read the rest of this article
JAPAN: Political stakes high as vaccination program begins
Japan has begun its vaccination program, starting with a limited campaign targeting frontline medical workers. Supply constraints could limit the government’s ability to expand the campaign beyond medical workers in the near term. The vaccination campaign presents Pr… Become a member to read the rest of this article
JAPAN: Mori will resign but controversy will hurt Suga
Yoshiro Mori, former prime minister and president of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics organizing committee, indicated on Thursday, 11 February, that he would step down amidst a growing backlash to sexist remarks about the role of women in meetings. Mori had previously “retracted” his rema… Become a member to read the rest of this article
JAPAN: Suga still politically vulnerable as state of emergency extended
On Tuesday, 2 February, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced that he would extend the state of emergency scheduled to end on 7 February by one month, to 7 March. Although case numbers have fallen since the state of emergency was first declared in early January, the government … Become a member to read the […]
JAPAN: Suga, under fire as Diet reopens, seeks new powers to combat pandemic
The ordinary session of the Diet opened on Monday, 18 January, as the Suga administration tries to contain the still-widening third wave of Covid-19. His approval ratings plummeting, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is trying to reverse the impression that his response to t… Become a member to read the rest of this article
JAPAN: Suga expands state of emergency as criticism within LDP grows
Less than a week after announcing a state of emergency for Tokyo and three neighboring prefectures, on Wednesday, 13 January Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga extended the declaration to seven additional prefectures. Suga’s handling of the pandemic has been increasingly crit… Become a member to read the rest of this article
JAPAN: Surging caseload suggests new state of emergency is only the beginning
On Thursday, 7 January, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga officially declared a month-long state of emergency for Tokyo and its neighboring prefectures of Chiba, Saitama, and Kanagawa. The announcement came as the country set new records for case numbers nationwide – 7,571 new cases … Become a member to read the rest of this article