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July 07, 2026
 

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DIET

Supporters of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attend an election campaign event in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, on Tuesday.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 3, 2026
Where will Japan’s democracy go from here?
Many question the rationale for the snap election with some critics claiming that it is an election without a “just cause.”
A poster board in the Osaka No. 5 district in the city of Osaka. Candidates from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, are competing against each other in all single-seat constituencies in Osaka Prefecture in Sunday's Lower House election.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 3, 2026
In Osaka, LDP faces off against JIP despite being allies
Roughly 66,000 people who voted for Komeito in the last Lower House election are seen as kingmakers in the Osaka No. 5 district.
The front page of The Japan Times on Feb. 6, 1976, carried the first of many stories aiming to get to the bottom of the Lockheed bribery scandal.
JAPAN / History / Japan Times Gone By
Feb 2, 2026
Japan Times 1976: Lockheed paid Kodama $7 million to win deal
This month 25 and 50 years ago saw the beginnings of stories that would go on to become significant historical moments.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi delivers her first campaign speech for the House of Representatives election in Tokyo on Tuesday, alongside leaders of the Japan Innovation Party, Hirofumi Yoshimura (second from the left) and Fumitake Fujita (right).
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jan 30, 2026
Lower House election outcome could reshape political power balance
From the Liberal Democratic Party securing a majority on its own to the prime minister stepping down, a number of scenarios are at play ahead of the Feb. 8 Lower House election.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reacts to the audience during a stump speech in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 29, 2026
LDP on track to win standalone majority in general election
Polls suggest the ruling party may emerge from the vote strong, even without the backing of former coalition partner Komeito or coordination with the Japan Innovation Party.
Leader of the Japan Innovation Party Hirofumi Yoshimura delivers his first campaign speech for the House of Representatives election in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jan 28, 2026
JIP struggles with perception and unity ahead of Lower House election
The junior member of the ruling coalition has remained unpopular nationally, while its goal of merging Osaka city’s wards is creating unexpected problems within its Osaka base.
An election campaign event on the first day of campaigning for the February 8 snap election, in Tokyo, on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 27, 2026
Japan kicks off campaigning for Feb. 8 Lower House election
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who said she would resign if the ruling coalition fails to win a majority, is facing off against a transformed opposition.
Yoshihiko Noda (left) and Tetsuo Saito, co-chairs of the new Centrist Reform Alliance, shake hands at the party's founding convention in Tokyo on Thursday.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 27, 2026
Japan’s new ‘Centrist Reform Alliance’ is a misnomer
The Centrist Reform Alliance is asking voters to embrace a brand label rather than a fully formed policy platform and a partnership of convenience.
Centrist Reform Alliance co-leaders Yoshihiko Noda (second from left) and Tetsuo Saito (third from left) cheer at the launch of their party at the parliament building in Tokyo on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jan 26, 2026
Centrists vs. conservatives? It’s not that simple.
Beyond the labels that they use for themselves, the policy proposals of candidates and their parties show that their differences are more nuanced — and confusing.
Takayuki Kobayashi, policy chief of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, speaks in Tokyo on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 24, 2026
Parties gear up for Lower House election after dissolution
Takayuki Kobayashi, policy chief of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, said that the election would be an opportunity for the public to weigh in on the new ruling coalition.
The National Diet Building in Tokyo on Friday
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 24, 2026
LDP and JIP heads to deliver joint campaign speeches Tuesday
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and JIP chief Hirofumi Yoshimura hope to appeal to voters by highlighting the ruling coalition’s promise ahead of the Feb. 8 election.
Packs of fresh seafood at a supermarket in Yokohama on Jan. 15. Soaring food costs are a key concern of voters in the runup to the Feb. 8 Lower House election.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 24, 2026
Japanese consumers worried about inflation ahead of general election
Some are also questioning Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s decision to call a snap election.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi looks on ahead of the dissolution of the lower house of parliament in Tokyo on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 23, 2026
Takaichi dissolves Lower House for Feb. 8 snap election
Candidates have just 16 days until election day to get their message out during what could be a snowy season in certain parts of the country.
Centrist Reform Alliance members raise their fists in unison at a ceremony marking the party's foundation Thursday in Tokyo.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 22, 2026
CRA bets on moderate policies to shake up Lower House race
Public confusion and policy similarities with the ruling coalition could make it difficult for the new opposition party to win over voters.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, flanked by Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Shunichi Suzuki (left) and LDP Vice President Taro Aso, attend a party meeting at LDP headquarters in Tokyo's Nagatacho district on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 21, 2026
LDP uses election manifesto to pledge stable rare earths supply amid China row
The ruling party says it will also accelerate talks on eliminating the current 8% consumption tax on food for two years as Japan grapples with inflation.
Reiwa Shinsengumi leader Taro Yamamoto takes part in a debate with leaders of other political parties at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo in July.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 21, 2026
Reiwa Shinsengumi leader Taro Yamamoto resigns from Upper House due to health
Yamamoto, who founded the party in 2019, said he will focus on his health for an “indefinite” period but stay on as the party’s leader.
Officials of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and Komeito show the posters for the new Centrist Reform Alliance party at the parliament building on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 21, 2026
Centrist Reform Alliance to be launched with over 160 Lower House lawmakers
The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan said 144 of its 148 lawmakers in the Lower House will join the new party ahead of the Feb. 8 general election.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (center) prior to a Cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's Office on Friday
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 21, 2026
Political appointees urged to forgo fundraising events
The move appears to be aimed at underscoring Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s stance on addressing concerns over the issue of politics and money.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks in a news conference Monday in Tokyo.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 19, 2026
Takaichi might surprise markets bracing for a big spender
Some stock and bond investors are anticipating Takaichi to act as an unrestrained fiscal dove after the election.
Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura speaks to reporters on Friday at the Osaka Prefectural Government building.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 18, 2026
Major parties other than JIP to skip Osaka double election
The Liberal Democratic Party, the Constitutional Party of Japan, the Japanese Communist Party and Komeito have all indicated they will not field candidates.
Murakami says his novels are ‘different’ from AI literature
Haruki Murakami's first book in three years hit shelves in Japan on Friday.
Thailand gets serious about chasing high-spending tourists
Chinese tourists at Wat Arun Ratchawararam Rathawaramahawihan in Bangkok
Japan needs caregivers. Young Indians are answering the call.
Young people in India's northeast are increasingly studying Japanese in hopes of building new lives and careers in Japan.
Tokyo hospital baby hatch accepts 20 newborns in first year
Hitoshi Kato (left), head of San-ikukai Hospital in Tokyo's Sumida Ward, speaks during a news conference at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building on Thursday.
Hayabusa2 flies past asteroid as Japan aims to acquire data for planetary defense
A graphic illustration of the Hayabusa2 probe flying past the asteroid Torifune
Okinawa’s prized seaweed under threat as oceans warm
Local harvesters gather <i>mozuku</i> during low tide at Hyakuna Beach in the city of Nanjo, Okinawa Prefecture. As the planet warms, rising ocean temperatures are placing increasing pressure on the seaweed industry.
‘Defense,’ not ‘warfare,’ stressed as pacifist Japan beefs up capabilities
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi attends an annual training session near Mount Fuji at Higashifuji Training Field in Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, on June 7.
Japan plans to sharply raise fees for residence permits from October
Foreign tourists walk on the path leading to the Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto in May.
X Games returns to Chiba with new team format
Skateboarder Sora Shirai practices at Makuhari Messe in Chiba on Friday afternoon. X Games Chiba begins on Saturday.
NU Festival tests Takanawa Gateway City complex’s culture cred
Veteran improvisers Kazuo Imai and Atsuhiro Ito brought some unruly energy to NU Festival, a three-day multimedia event held at the Takanawa Gateway City complex.  

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

The Terasaka Rice Terraces are seen with Mount Buko in the background.
What Yokoze can teach Japan about rural revival
By Alex K.T. Martin

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