JAPAN: How Suga will manage Japan’s foreign policy, part I
As Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga settles in to office, the most significant outstanding question about his premiership is how he will manage Japan’s foreign policy. While foreign policy institutions will remain the same, some personnel changes could mean a more prominent… Become a member to read the rest of this article Username or E-mail […]
JAPAN: Suga wins leadership handily and seeks to form cabinet “for the people”
Yoshihide Suga won an overwhelming victory in the race to succeed Shinzo Abe as leader of the Liberal Democratic Party and will form a government this week. His cabinet picks will signal who leads among the LDP’s next generation of leaders, his relationship with the part… Become a member to read the rest of […]
JAPAN: Suga gathers strength as LDP leadership race begins
The contenders to succeed Shinzo Abe as leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and prime minister officially declared their candidacies on Tuesday, 8 September, the start of a short campaign before the vote on 14 September. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga re… Become a member to read the rest of this article
JAPAN: Abe’s resignation leaves successor to face a challenging policy agenda
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)’s executive council formally decided on Tuesday, 1 September, on the timing and method for selecting a leader to succeed Shinzo Abe as LDP president and prime minister. As expected, the party fended off calls from some younger lawmakers and pref… Become a member to read the rest of this […]
JAPAN: Liberal Democratic Party is quickly consolidating around Suga
Ahead of a 1 September meeting to finalize a decision about how to select a replacement for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is closing ranks around Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga. Suga is a capable politician, but if he wins he will have… Become a member to read the rest […]
JAPAN: Abe’s resignation leaves successor to face a challenging policy agenda
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced on Friday, 28 August that he would step down as prime minister and leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), effective as soon as the party selects a successor. The LDP will decide in the coming days over when and how it will se… Become a member to […]
JAPAN: Is Abe’s second hospital visit a sign that history will repeat?
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe returned to the hospital on Monday, 24 August, his second unexpected hospital visit in as many weeks. However, without more information about Abe’s condition, it is difficult to forecast how the increasingly fluid situation will unfold in the immedi… Become a member to read the rest of this article
JAPAN: Surprise hospital visit fuels speculation about Abe’s staying power
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe paid an unexpected visit to a hospital on 17 August, which was subsequently characterized as a follow-up for an earlier exam. Abe’s personal history – a chronic ailment contributed to his resignation from the premiership in 2007 – means that he face… Become a member to read the rest of […]
JAPAN/UK: Trade talks first step in building closer post-Brexit partnership
Ministerial talks in London failed to yield an agreement, but Japan and the UK appear to be close to a draft free trade agreement (FTA) to govern their trading relationship after Brexit. The terms of the FTA, which are unlikely to differ much from Japan’s agreement with the … Become a member to read […]
JAPAN: Prefectures move to contain surge as Abe government deliberates
Prefectural governments have moved to impose new restrictions as Covid-19 cases have continued to rise across the country. While the Abe government’s medical advisory panel has warned that without action a significant spike that threatens the medical system is possible, th… Become a member to read the rest of this article