On NHK’s “Nichiyo Toron” Sunday debate show, policy chiefs of the ruling and opposition parties exchanged views about issues being discussed in the Diet, including Moritomo Gakuen, work-style reform, and a bill on the implementation of integrated resorts with casino facilities. In addition, the panelists also expressed their views on the U.S.-DPRK summit planned for June 12. LDP Policy Affairs….Read more

On NHK’s “Nichiyo Toron” Sunday debate show, senior lawmakers from the ruling and opposition parties discussed bills on work-style reform in Japan. LDP Deputy Secretary General Hagiuda expressed the ruling coalition’s willingness to enact the bills during the current Diet session, stressing that work-style reform, which is expected to increase productivity, is an important issue for the future of Japan.….Read more

On NHK’s “Nichiyo Toron” Sunday debate show, five experts discussed the prospects for the planned U.S.-DPRK summit in Singapore on June 12. MIT Senior Fellow Yukio Okamoto expressed the view that attention will be focused on whether North Korea will agree to complete denuclearization, including the dismantling of its existing nuclear and missile programs. University of Tokyo Professor Fumiaki Kubo….Read more

NHK’s “Nichiyo Toron” Sunday debate show featured a discussion among Japanese experts on the inter-Korean summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon. While welcoming the rapid rapprochement between the two Koreas, all panelists were somewhat skeptical of the speed and the scope of denuclearization that the DPRK strongman committed to since he did not….Read more

On NHK’s “Nichiyo Toron” Sunday debate show, six experts discussed the results of the summit held last week between President Trump and Prime Minister Abe. Concerning their discussion on dealing with North Korea, Keio University Professor Yasushi Watanabe speculated that the United States is unlikely to agree initially to any kind of concessions, including a possible reduction of its forces….Read more

On NHK’s “Nichiyo Toron” Sunday debate show, lawmakers from the ruling and opposition parties discussed how to respond to the scandals involving a land deal with Moritomo Gakuen in Osaka and a school project by Kake Gakuen. Alleging that Prime Minister Abe used his influence over the purchase of land and school approval process, the opposition parties stepped up their….Read more

On NHK’s “Nichiyo Toron” Sunday debate show, six experts talked about the Bank of Japan’s “bold” monetary easing policy with a 2% inflation target implemented by Governor Kuroda over the past five years. Chairman Emeritus of Japan Research Institute Susumu Takahashi and Daiwa Institute of Research Chief Economist Mitsumaru Kumagai welcomed the BOJ policy, saying it has produced results by….Read more

On NHK’s “Nichiyo Toron” Sunday debate show, five experts exchanged views on North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s surprise visit to China last week. MIT senior fellow Yukio Okamoto commented that Kim may have decided to visit Beijing to preempt the possibility of a hardline approach by the U.S. under the new Secretary of State Pompeo and National Security Advisor….Read more

On NHK’s “Nichiyo Toron” Sunday debate show, senior ruling and opposition party members of the Upper House discussed issues related to the controversial sale of state-owned land to school operator Moritomo Gakuen, including the Finance Ministry’s tampering with documents on the land deal. The opposition panelists insisted that thorough investigations should be conducted to determine whether the ministry revised the….Read more

Six experts discussed on NHK’s “Nichiyo Toron” Sunday debate show recent developments in the international response to North Korea, including planned inter-Korean talks in April and a proposed U.S.-DPRK summit by May. While welcoming the momentum toward dialogue, Canon Institute for Global Studies Research Director Kunihiko Miyake stated that it would be necessary for the United States to make careful….Read more