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.
Tag Archives: News
The Weekly Observer: August 2-6
Fifteenth edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics! This week focuses on the tightened COVID-19 countermeasures, policy to secure hospital beds amid a surge in coronavirus cases, latest on the vaccination drive, ASEAN-related foreign ministers’ meetings, the foreign ministry in action with South Korea and Russia, the defense ministry’s missile defense plans, the prime minister’s Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony speech, consumption expenditure in June, the LDP presidential race schedule and new candidates, a new money scandal in politics 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: 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.
Rintaro Nishimura 