The 18th edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics! This week focuses on the improving COVID-19 case numbers, updates on the vaccination drive, John Kerry’s trip to Japan, the SDF’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Japan Pacific Islands Defense Dialogue, opposition demands for an extraordinary Diet session, the FY 2022 budget request, Prime Minister Suga’s decision to nor run for reelection, a timeline of developments regarding the LDP presidential and House of Representatives elections, a profile on the potential candidates replacing Suga, opposition plans to retake the Lower House, Kishida’s coronavirus policies, the inauguration of Suga’s Digital Agency, and more.
Tag Archives: Moderna
The Weekly Observer: August 16-20
The 17th edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics! This week focuses on the re-extension and expansion of the COVID-19 state of emergency, possible revisions to COVID-19 policy, the possibility of a third vaccine shot, news of a first-ever LDP-Taiwan ruling party strategic dialogue, the MOD’s budget request, the prime minister’s speech commemorating the 76th anniversary of the end of WWII, opposition demands for an extraordinary Diet session, increase in the number of bankruptcies, controversy over the decision to allow children to attend the Paralympic Games, the latest on the LDP and House of Representatives election, Japan’s response to the situation in Afghanistan, and more.
The Weekly Observer: July 26-30
Fourteenth edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics! This week focuses on the newly expanded COVID-19 state of emergency, expert predictions on the spread of the virus, AstraZeneca approval for those above forty, Japan-U.S. high-level meetings, the inaugural strategic dialogue between Japanese, American and Taiwanese lawmakers, Japanese reactions to the Russian prime minister’s visit to the Northern Territories, the IMF’s economic outlook for Japan, preparation for Lower House and LDP Presidential elections, the decision by a prosecution committee to reinvestigate ex-prime minister Abe’s cherry blossom scandal, the government’s decision to not appeal the Hiroshima “Black Rain” ruling, and more.
The Weekly Observer: July 19-23
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.
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: 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 