Former Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara has decided to run in an upcoming election to determine a new leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan – and therefore, the country’s prime minister. Japanese news media report that Maehara is expected to make a formal announcement late Tuesday. The Democratic Party has set August 29 […]
Japan’s Ex-PM to Run for Ruling Party Leadership
Posted August 22nd, 2011 at 11:05 pm (UTC-5)
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Japan’s Ex-PM to Run for Ruling Party Leadership
Posted August 22nd, 2011 at 9:10 pm (UTC-5)
Former Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara has decided to run in an upcoming election to determine a new leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan – and therefore, the country’s prime minister. Japanese news media report that Maehara is expected to make a formal announcement late Tuesday. The Democratic Party has set August 29 […]
Thai Fugitive Ex-PM Visits Japan
Posted August 22nd, 2011 at 7:40 am (UTC-5)
Thailand’s fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has arrived in Japan with an offer to assist in the reconstruction of the country’s earthquake and tsunami-damaged northeastern coast. Mr. Thaksin, a former telecommunications tycoon ousted from office in a 2006 coup, told Japan’s Kyodo news agency he will visit areas devastated by the March 11 twin […]
Japan’s Ruling Party Sets Date For Leadership Contest
Posted August 22nd, 2011 at 6:15 am (UTC-5)
A spokesman says Japan’s ruling party will select a new leader to replace Prime Minister Naoto Kan on August 29 if two key bills have passed parliament by then. Party Secretary-General Katsuya Okada said Monday that parliament would likely vote the next day to confirm the new leader as Japan’s sixth prime minister in five […]
Stricken Japanese Nuclear Plant to Remain Off-Limits
Posted August 22nd, 2011 at 5:20 am (UTC-5)
Top Japanese government officials say that some areas around the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant will likely remain off-limits for several decades. Recent readings within 20 kilometers of the plant show dangerous radiation levels several times higher than international safety standards. Officials say the government is considering providing further support to evacuated residents, including long-term housing. […]
Japanese PM Declines US Invitation
Posted August 19th, 2011 at 10:05 am (UTC-5)
Japan’s embattled prime minister will not visit the United States next month at the invitation of U.S. President Barack Obama. Japan’s top government spokesman told reporters of the decision Friday, saying such a visit was impossible given Japan’s political situation. Spokesman Yukio Edano also said Tokyo had already informed the U.S. ambassador to Japan , […]
Anti-Thaksin Thais Protest Visa to Visit Japan
Posted August 18th, 2011 at 3:30 am (UTC-5)
About 50 people protested outside the Japanese embassy in Bangkok Thursday against a planned visit to Japan by fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The group urged the Japanese public to pressure their government to revoke Mr. Thaksin’s visa, which was issued in spite of rules that normally prohibit granting visas to fugitives. The group’s […]
Data Show Japan Nearing Pre-Disaster Export Levels
Posted August 18th, 2011 at 1:35 am (UTC-5)
New trade data show Japan’s export-oriented economy is gradually returning to levels from before the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami. The figures Thursday showed exports in July were just 3.3 percent lower than in the same month a year ago, despite power cuts and supply chain interruptions that have troubled the manufacturing sector since […]
Japan Approves First Nuclear Plant Re-Start Since Accident
Posted August 17th, 2011 at 3:55 am (UTC-5)
Japanese officials have approved the re-start of a nuclear reactor for commercial purposes for the first time since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. The energy ministry was expected to issue a safety certificate authorizing operations later Wednesday after the governor of Hokkaido prefecture announced she has no objection to the move. Only 15 of […]
Japan Renews Commitment to Peace at WWII Memorial Ceremony
Posted August 15th, 2011 at 3:50 am (UTC-5)
Japan rededicated itself to the cause of world peace Monday at solemn ceremonies marking the anniversary of the country’s surrender in World War II. At a ceremony attended by Emperor Akihito and his wife, Prime Minister Naoto Kan said Japan will rise from the devastation of its March 11 earthquake just as it rebuilt itself […]
