The following is the gist of interpellations at the Upper House budget committee meeting on March 3, 2023:   Treated radioactive water   Ishigaki Noriko (Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan): When will the discharge of treated water from Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant into the sea start?   Prime Minister Kishida Fumio: There is no change in….Read more

The following is the gist of interpellations at the Upper House budget committee meeting on March 2, 2023:   Tax hikes for defense spending   Nishida Makoto (Komeito): The government needs to make adjustments not to implement tax measures [for higher defense spending], which is said to occur in fiscal 2024 or later, but to secure financial resources for increasing….Read more

Amid mounting tensions in the international situation, Japan’s diplomatic efforts are being put to the test. One cannot help but be disappointed that the judgment of the ruling and opposition parties lacks such awareness.   Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi did not attend the meeting for foreign ministers of the Group of 20 major economies, which is being held in India.….Read more

Asahi took up remarks made at the Diet on Tuesday by Prime Minister Kishida on the fact that same-sex marriage is not currently allowed in Japan. He was quoted as saying: “We don’t consider this to be unjust discrimination by the state.” In remarks to an opposition lawmaker, the premier referred to Article 24 of the Constitution, which reads: “Marriage….Read more

As Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s administration moves ahead with key policy shifts without Diet debate, the role of opposition parties is becoming more important. The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP), the leading opposition party, is being tested.   The CDP must show the public that a change of government is possible by putting forth concrete counterproposals, as well….Read more

The following is the gist of interpellations at the intensive session of the House of Representatives Budget Committee on Feb. 22, 2023:    Sexual minorities   Yoshida Harumi (Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan): The prime minister doesn’t seem to be serious about enacting a law to promote understanding of LGBT people.   Prime Minister Kishida Fumio: I directly heard from….Read more

Yomiuri reported that Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara appeared on BS-NTV’s evening news program “Shinso News” on Tuesday and expressed optimism about the formulation of legislation aimed at promoting understanding of LGBT individuals. He reportedly said: “We should be able to reach a certain level of conclusion.” Kihara reportedly stressed that Prime Minister Kishida “does not have any negative views”….Read more

  Mainichi wrote that some LDP politicians remain strongly opposed to passing during the current Diet session a proposed bill aimed at deepening understanding of sexual minorities, which has become a key issue for the Kishida administration following the scandal caused by a gaffe made by one of top secretaries of the prime minister. Although momentum for the bill’s passage….Read more