Japan
Japan’s political establishment rocked by pension scandal
By Joe Lopez, May 31, 2004
Over the past month, a scandal over the non-payment of mandatory pension scheme contributions has forced the resignations of senior government and political figures. The speed and scope of the crisis ...
Japanese government shaken by Iraq hostage crisis
By Joe Lopez, April 16, 2004
The abduction of three Japanese citizens in Iraq, who were released unharmed yesterday, has created the biggest political crisis for the Koizumi government since it came to power in 2001. It could wel...
Japan’s fragile economic recovery
By Joe Lopez, March 12, 2004
For the first time in 13 years, the Japanese economy has exhibited strong signs of economic growth. According to official government estimates released last month, the gross domestic product (GDP) inc...
Japanese parliament ratifies troop deployment for Iraq
By Joe Lopez, February 7, 2004
Despite widespread public opposition, the Japanese government last weekend rammed legislation through the lower house of the Diet (parliament) approving the deployment of troops to Iraq. While endorse...
Japan stakes its claim to Iraqi oil and gas
By Joe Lopez, January 26, 2004
Japanese companies are involved in talks with senior officials of the Iraqi Oil Ministry to secure contracts over oil and gas fields in Iraq. The negotiations expose the Koizumi government’s cla...
Koizumi sends Japanese troops to Iraq
By James Conachy, December 16, 2003
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and his cabinet voted on December 9 to deploy Japan’s ground, air and maritime self-defense forces (SDF) to participate in the US-led occupation of Iraq. The dec...
Makiko Tanaka returns to political prominence in Japan
By James Conachy, November 28, 2003
At the November 19 opening session of the newly elected Japanese parliament, the former foreign minister Makiko Tanaka formally aligned herself with the main opposition Democratic Party (DPJ) against ...
Japanese government holds power, but with reduced majority
By Joe Lopez, November 18, 2003
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) led by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi retained control of Japan’s lower house of parliament in the November 9 elections, but with its majority substan...
Why Junichiro Koizumi is being retained as Japanese leader
By James Conachy, September 20, 2003
Japanese leader Junichiro Koizumi faces a ballot today to determine whether he keeps the presidency of the governing, right-wing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and thus his position as prime minister....
Japanese parliament gives green light for troops to Iraq
By Joe Lopez, August 8, 2003
The Japanese Diet passed legislation late last month allowing the government to proceed with plans to dispatch up 1,000 troops to bolster the US-led occupation of Iraq. The deployment will be the firs...
Japanese bank bailout reveals deepening economic crisis
By Joe Lopez, May 28, 2003
Last week’s decision by the Koizumi government to organise a 2 trillion yen ($17 billion) bailout of the ailing Resona Bank was sparked by fears that the bank’s collapse could have sparked...
Japan’s part in the "coalition of the willing"
By Joe Lopez, April 17, 2003
Despite overwhelming opposition in Japan to the US-led war on Iraq, the Koizumi government has been one of the Bush administration’s firmest backers from the outset. While restricted by its cons...
