Tag - diet

 
 

DIET

Internal affairs minister Takeaki Matsumoto bows after a bill to revise the local autonomy law was approved at a plenary meeting of the Upper House on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 19, 2024
Japan enacts bill for emergency state power over local governments
The purpose is to make sure that Japan can respond quickly to incidents not presupposed by existing laws.
A bill to revise the political funds control law is passed at a plenary meeting of the Upper House on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 19, 2024
Diet passes political funds bill in wake of LDP money scandal
A third-party organization will be established to check how lawmakers use the so-called policy activity funds.
Nippon Ishin no Kai leader Nobuyuki Baba and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida after signing an agreement on a political reform bill in May
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 18, 2024
Nippon Ishin to vote against political funds bill
Nippon Ishin, which had voted for the bill in the House of Representatives, is considering submitting a censure motion against Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
Professor Hong Jin-kee poses with a bowl containing pink "meaty rice" at the Yonsei University in Seoul, where a team of South Korean scientists are injecting cultured beef cells into individual grains of rice in a process they hope could revolutionize how the world eats.
ASIA PACIFIC / Science & Health
Jun 17, 2024
‘Meaty rice’? South Korean professor aims to change global protein
No animals were harmed in the creation of the dish, which looks like regular rice aside from its color.
The Liberal Democratic Party's Gen Nakatani (center) speaks at the Lower House Constitution Commission on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 14, 2024
LDP scraps plan for constitution revision this Diet session
The conservative wing of the party is likely to lash out against the failure to achieve constitutional revision.
Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi at the Prime Minister's Office Tuesday
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 14, 2024
Yamaguchi’s tenure as Komeito leader may be extended
Now in his eighth term, Yamaguchi is the longest-serving chief of Komeito since the 1998 renewal of the party.
Fumio Kishida
JAPAN
Jun 13, 2024
Kishida Cabinet approval hits new low of 16.4%: Jiji poll
The result suggests that the Cabinet’s efforts to revise the political funds control law in the wake of a slush fund scandal have not been well received by the public.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during an Upper House committee session on Monday.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Jun 13, 2024
LDP allies concerned effort to improve funding transparency may be weakened
The House of Councilors began substantive deliberations on the legislation on Monday.
Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Kenta Izumi will hold a parliamentary debate with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 13, 2024
First Diet debate among party leaders in three years set for June 19
The debate is expected to focus on political reform following the LDP slush fund scandal.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida answers questions during a session of the Lower House special committee on political reform at parliament in Tokyo on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 8, 2024
Kishida faces tough time constraints in parliament after bill’s delay
The political funds bill only cleared the Lower House on Thursday, two days later than the LDP had expected, due to prolonged negotiations to amend the legislation.
A man offers a prayer in Nakano, Nagano Prefecture, on May 25 near the site where four people were fatally stabbed or shot a year before.
JAPAN
Jun 7, 2024
Japan enacts bill to ban encouragement of illegal gun ownership
Such acts will be punishable by a prison sentence of up to one year or a maximum fine of ¥300,000.
An amended law on government assistance for young people providing daily care for family members passes the parliament on Wednesday.
JAPAN
Jun 6, 2024
Law amended to stipulate central government support for young caregivers
The previous law did not specify that central government would assist young caregivers, with some local governments providing support under ordinances.
A rendering of the next-generation fighter jet to be jointly developed by Japan, Britain and Italy
JAPAN
Jun 6, 2024
Japan approves international treaty on next-generation fighter jet
Japan regards the envisioned aircraft as the successor to the Air Self-Defense Force’s F-2 fighter.
Legislation on measures to support child-rearing passes during the Upper House plenary session on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Society
Jun 5, 2024
Japan enacts bill to expand measures for tackling low birth rate
To pay for the changes, extra fees will be added to public medical insurance premiums.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks to reporters at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Friday. Kishida said Tuesday that he was not planning to call a snap election during the current parliamentary session that ends June 23.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 4, 2024
Kishida says he won’t call snap election before parliament closes
Kishida’s Cabinet has been saddled with record-low approval ratings, as the LDP grapples with a recent political funds scandal within his party.
My Number cardholders will soon be able to save their identity verification information on smartphones.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
May 31, 2024
Japan enacts revised My Number law enabling info on smartphones
The move is expected to boost My Number cardholders’ convenience.
Farm minister Tetsushi Sakamoto stands as an amendment on Japan's farm policies clears parliament on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
May 30, 2024
Japan enacts revised ‘constitution’ for farm policies
The revised law newly underscores the necessity of ensuring food security at a time when supply chains are being destabilized.
A bill to revise the local autonomy law clears the Lower House on Thursday.
JAPAN
May 30, 2024
Japan’s Lower House passes bill for state power in emergencies
The revision is aimed at enabling swift responses for ensuring citizens’ safety.
Yasukazu Hamada, parliamentary affairs leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, who is also former Defense Minister, will chair a nonpartisan lawmaker group that will request the government to form an organization to investigate UFOs.
JAPAN / Politics
May 28, 2024
Japan lawmakers to create group for government probes into UFOs
The group will hold its founding general meeting on June 6 after Tuesday’s preparatory meeting, which was held in parliament.
Legislation was enacted Friday to offer more support to workers raising young children.
JAPAN
May 24, 2024
Japan passes law on flexible work for parents with young children
Firms will be obliged to allow employees with preschoolers age 3 and older to choose from at least two working options, such as remote work or shorter hours.

Longform

The Terasaka Rice Terraces are seen with Mount Buko in the background.
What Yokoze can teach Japan about rural revival