Category Archives: Tokyo Observer

The 120th edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics. This week focuses on the GOJ’s ODA strategy, discussions over “active cyber defense,” the LDP submitting its own revised Political Funds Control Act, legislative developments, chip-related news, the possibility of AI legislation, high levels of tourism, and more.

The 119th edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics. This week focuses on the possible dates for the Japan-PRC-ROK trilateral summit, the legislation establishing a joint JSDF command, the LDP and Komeito draft for amendments to the Political Funds Control Act, the first trial of the ex-Abe faction accountant over the kickback scandal, the BOJ’s internal discussions over an early rate hike last month, the security clearance system legislation, a proposed new multilateral cross-border data transfer framework, Toyota’s new record-high business performance, and more.

The 118th edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics. This week focuses on the PM’s diplomatic trip to Europe and South America, the Japan-U.S.-Australia-Philippines defense ministers’ meeting, Kishida’s bilateral meetings in the three countries, postponement of the “active cyber defense” bill, Constitution Day, speculation about an early general election, speculation over exchange rate intervention, Nippon Steel delaying acquisition of U.S. Steel, AI-related developments, annual unemployment and jobs-to-applicants statistics, and more.

The 117th edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics. This week focuses on the PM’s expected announcement on an AI framework at the OECD Ministerial, the Aso-Trump meeting, Defense Minister Kihara’s visit to Hawaii for a new “quad” defense ministers’ meeting, the Lower House by-election results, the LDP and Komeito talks on political fundraising reform, shocking estimates on Japan’s population decline, the yen’s record-breaking depreciation against the dollar, the GOJ’s proposed tightening of export control measures, the draft revision of the Economic Security Action Plan, the mobile ecosystem bill, the GOJ’s Monthly Economic Report, and more.

The 116th edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics. This week focuses on the G7 foreign and finance ministers’ meetings, the 2024 Diplomatic Bluebook, the G7 leaders’ summit on the Gaza situation, Defense Minister Kihara’s planned visit to Hawaii, the end of the Motegi faction, the inaugural Japan-ROK-U.S. trilateral finance ministers’ meeting, Sakura Internet’s plan to acquire Nvidia chips, the domestic AI developer guidelines, the trade deficit, and more.

The 115th edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics. This week focuses on Prime Minister Kishida’s state visit to the United States, news of a possible Japan-PRC-ROK trilateral summit next month, regular Japan-U.S.-U.K. naval exercises starting 2025, the latest on the political scandal in Kishida’s absence, the LDP’s “default losses” in two of three by-elections this month, Kishida’s visit to the TSMC plant in Kumamoto, Microsoft’s increased AI investment in Japan, the March Economy Watchers Survey, and more.

The 114th edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics. This week focuses on plans for the Japan-China-ROK trilateral summit, intensified cooperation between Japan and the Philippines, the LDP’s punishments for Diet members over the political scandal, the LDP’s default defeat in two of three April by-elections, METI’s cybersecurity classifications, the multi-national CBDC pilot, the Sakura Report, and more.

The 113th edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics. This week focuses on the GOJ’s Cabinet decision and revision of defense export guidelines, UN-related developments, the GOJ’s plans to refurbish public infrastructure for defense, the PM’s press conference on the FY 2024 budget, the LDP’s consideration of removing Diet members over the political scandal, Nikai’s decision to not seek reelection, speculation of government intervention in the foreign exchange market, the GOJ’s Space Technology Strategy, the BOJ’s meeting minutes from the January monetary policy meeting, the state of Japan’s SMEs, and more.

The 112th edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics. This week focuses on the G7 digital and tech ministerial meeting, the Third Summit for Democracy, ruling coalition approval of relaxed defense export rules, the LDP party convention, the ruling and opposition party battle over scandal-related testimony, by-election related updates, the BOJ’s historic decision to end negative interest rate policy, the Nikkei Stock Average rebound, record-high household financial assets, and more.

The 111th edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics. This week focuses on the LDP-Komeito agreement on defense equipment exports, IAEA Director General Grossi’s visit, the resumption of Osprey aircraft flights, the thirteenth year since 3.11, the Upper House Political Ethics Committee hearing, the bill establishing a new talent development program for foreign workers, historically high wage hikes, the hardening U.S. position over Nippon Steel’s acquisition of U.S. Steel, the IPEF ministerial, projected business outlook in FY 2024, and more.