Thirteenth edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics! This week focuses on the spread of the “delta” variant, government efforts to resolve vaccine shortages, the Japan-U.S.-ROK deputy-level meeting, Japan-ROK relations, the opposition demands for out-of-session examinations, draft of the 2030 energy mix, the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, preparation for Lower House and LDP Presidential election, and more.
Category Archives: Tokyo Observer
The Weekly Observer: July 12-16
Twelfth edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics! This week focuses on the spike in cases following the 4th COVID-19 state of emergency, vaccine shortages, the 2021 defense white paper, Bank of Japan’s monetary policy, the lead up to the Olympic games next week and the fallout from the government’s retraction of policies toward eateries and alcohol distributors, intra-party scuffles in the upcoming Lower House election and more.
The Weekly Observer: July 5-9
Eleventh edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics! This week focuses on the declaration of a 4th COVID-19 state of emergency, vaccine shortages, Aso’s statement regarding collective self-defense in a Taiwan contingency, several legal rulings for guilty lawmakers, the economic impact of the state of emergency, the decision to hold Olympic games in the Greater Tokyo area without spectators and the fallout from the Tokyo Assembly election on Sunday, and more.
The Weekly Observer: June 28-July 2
Tenth edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics! This week focuses on the impending decision on extending the pre-emergency measures, projections of a spike in variant cases, the G20 meetings, the response to the 100th anniversary of the CCP, the global minimum tax on corporations, questions over whether spectators will be allowed in at the Olympic Games, as well as the Tokyo Assembly election on Sunday, and more.
The Weekly Observer: June 21-25
Ninth edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics! This week focuses on the uptick in COVID-19 cases in Tokyo, the largest Japan-U.S. military exercise, Emperor Naruhito’s “concerns” regarding the Olympics, the Tokyo Assembly election next Sunday, as well as the “Akagi File”, and more.
The Weekly Observer: June 14-18
Eighth edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics! This week focuses on the updated COVID-19 situation, the G7 Summit, the Basic Guideline for Economic and Fiscal Management (“honebuto no hoshin”), as well as the speculation surrounding the timing of the snap election, and more.
The Weekly Observer: June 7-11
Seventh edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics! This week focuses on preparations to begin workplace vaccination, the G7 Summit and Finance Ministers’ meeting, the draft basic guideline for economic and fiscal management (“honebuto no hoshin”), as well as latest electoral developments within the LDP and opposition parties, and more.
The Weekly Observer: May 31-June 4
Sixth edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics! This week focuses on the new phase in Japan’s vaccination program, the G7 meetings, Taiwan-related developments, as well as the disagreement between the government and experts over the risks of hosting the Olympics and more.
The Weekly Observer: May 24-28
Fifth edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics! This week focuses on the new extension to the COVID-19 state of emergency, the Japan-EU leaders’ meeting, the G7 Trade Ministers’ Meeting, debate over hosting the Olympics and more.
The Weekly Observer: May 17-21
Fourth edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics! This week focuses on the updated COVID-19 state of emergency, issues with vaccine reservations, semiconductors, the shelving of the immigration bill and more.
Rintaro Nishimura 