The Weekly Observer: August 9-13

Sixteenth edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics! This week focuses on the ever-increasing COVID-19 case tally, considerations for a COVID-19 state of emergency extension, latest on the vaccination drive, NSS Akiba’s first trip to the U.S., defense minister’s controversial visit to Yasukuni, Suga and Kishi’s interviews with foreign media, the prime minister’s Nagasaki Peace Memorial Ceremony speech, the July Economy Watchers Survey, the aftermath of the Olympics, new developments in the build up to the LDP presidential race, the Yokohama City mayoral election, and more.