2017/01/26 |
Get to the Bottom of ‘Amakudari’
The amakudari practice of government bureaucrats landing post-retirement jobs in related industries and organizations breeds collusion that distorts administrative fairness and results in wasteful spending of taxpayer money.
2017/01/25 |
The Worrisome U.S. Trade Policy
Abe told the Diet (Japan's bicameral legislature) on Tuesday that he believes the U.S. president 'recognizes the importance of free and fair trade.' That may turn out to be wishful thinking — as far as Trump’s remarks and behavior suggest.
2017/01/24 |
Japan Needs to Provide Relief for Minamata Victims
The government has not responded to requests from Minamata disease victims, doctors and experts on pollution that it carry out comprehensive medical examinations to grasp the overall picture of damage from the disease.
2017/01/23 |
Japan's Unaddressed Succession Issues
Questions regarding the Imperial succession should continue to be discussed so that the government will not be cornered into making decisions only after a situation arises in the future that demands quick action.
2017/01/21 |
Varied Agenda in Japan's Wage Talks
The behavior and mindset of Japanese businesses need to change in order to fundamentally address the labor problems in the country.
2017/01/20 |
Japan Should Move Slow on Juvenile Law Reform
A hasty conclusion should be avoided due to mixed opinions among experts on the question and views split between the partners in Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ruling coalition.
2017/01/19 |
Global Charity Oxfam New Report Alarms Wealth Concentration
Oxfam reckons that eight individuals — Bill Gates, Amancio Ortega (founder of Inditex, a fashion group), Warren Buffett, Carlos Slim, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Ellison and Michael Bloomberg — own the same amount of wealth as the 3.6 billion people who make up the poorest half of humanity.
2017/01/18 |
Abe must Make an Effort in Easing Asia-Pacific Tensions
The Abe administration should approach both Washington and Beijing in an effort to help ease mutual tensions and work for stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
2017/01/17 |
New Technology to Assist Elderly Drivers in Japan
The development of safety mechanisms to assist elderly motorists may not have to be as high-tech as self-driving vehicles running on the latest AI technology. There is a lot that the automakers can do to help reduce accidents involving senior citizens.
2017/01/16 |
Japan Should Join U.N. Nuclear Arms Ban Talks
Japan has the duty to take part and play a meaningful role in the negotiations as a nation that knows firsthand what are the consequences of a nuclear attack.
2017/01/14 |
Redefining The ‘Elderly’ Age in Japan
In the face of mushrooming social security costs in an aging society, the government plans to start making elderly people with incomes above certain levels shoulder a greater burden of their medical and nursing care expenses.
2017/01/13 |
Keep Japan-Korea Comfort Women Deal Alive
The Abe administration needs to keep in mind that, given the paralysis of the Park administration, its diplomatic measures over the dispute could inflame South Korean public opinion.
2017/01/12 |
Trump Meddling In Toyota’s Affairs
Trump's future economic policies are causing worldwide concerns for free trade in international businesses.
2017/01/11 |
Japan's Energy Policy Needs Overhaul
The government’s long-standing claim to the cost advantage of nuclear power over other energy sources must be reassessed and the energy policy should be reviewed.
2017/01/10 |
Promoting Local Autonomy in Japan
Transferring administrative power from the central to local governments may not be enough to realize true local autonomy.
2017/01/09 |
Japan Plans Harsher Punishment For Rape
The amendment aims to protect the victims' rights and transform people’s idea of sexual crimes in Japan.
2017/01/06 |
Japan's Political Landscape in 2017
The Abe administration remains unchallenged within Japan, but a Trump presidency brings turbulence.