NHK’s Sunday morning talk show “Nichiyo Toron” invited policy affairs chiefs of ruling and opposition parties to discuss major issues in the ongoing extraordinary Diet session. Opposition officials took issue with the harsh rhetoric used by Prime Minister Abe in denouncing North Korea. While noting that President Trump used equally strong language in referring to the DPRK, Nagashima of the….Read more

In NHK’s “Nichiyo Toron” Sunday debate show, senior officials of two ruling and seven opposition parties assessed Prime Minister Abe’s recent diplomatic activities, including his bilateral talks with President Trump and other foreign leaders in Tokyo and in nations in the region. LDP Deputy Secretary General Hagiuda gave high marks to Abe’s meetings with Chinese President Xi and Premier Li….Read more

Six experts exchanged views about President Trump’s visit to China last week during NHK’s “Nichiyo Toron” Sunday debate show. The panelists included former Ambassador to the U.S. Ichiro Fujisaki, former Ambassador to China Yuji Miyamoto, Hosei University Professor Satoru Mori, Tokyo University Professor Akio Takahara, Sojitz Research Institute Chief Economist Tatsuhiko Yoshizaki, and Chief Researcher at Fujitsu Research Institute Ka….Read more

Five experts discussed the situation surrounding North Korea during NHK’s “Nichiyo Toron” Sunday debate show. The panelists included MIT senior fellow Yukio Okamoto, former Ambassador to China Yuji Miyamoto, senior research fellow at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation Tsuneo Watanabe, Nanzan University Professor Shunji Hiraiwa, and Waseda University Professor Chikako Ueki. Concerning North Korea’s “silence” since its launch of a Mars….Read more

On NHK’s “Nichiyo Toron” Sunday debate show, lawmakers from the ruling and opposition parties discussed the general election to be held on Oct. 22. Pointing out that it is unclear what kind of policies the Party of Hope is planning to implement for the people of Japan, LDP Election Committee Chairman Shionoya and Komeito Deputy Secretary General Takagi stated that….Read more

NHK’s “Nichiyo Toron” Sunday debate show aired a discussion by policy chiefs of the ruling and opposition parties, during which they discussed North Korea, the U.S.-Japan economic dialogue, and the “anti-conspiracy bill.” LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Motegi stated that although diplomatic efforts should be made first, Japan welcomes the U.S.’s stance of taking a comprehensive approach to the DPRK….Read more

NHK’s “Nichiyo Toron” Sunday debate show aired a live discussion by seven scholars, during which they talked about North Korea’s nuclear and missile development in response to Pyongyang’s failed missile launch on early Sunday morning. Canon Institute for Global Studies Research Director Kunihiko Miyake, Nanzan University Professor Shunji Hiraiwa, and Takushoku University Professor Hideshi Takesada stated that the launch demonstrated….Read more

NHK’s “Nichiyo Toron” Sunday debate show aired a discussion by five experts on the U.S. missile attack on Syria. Former Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka said it will be necessary to closely watch what steps the United States will take next, saying that the Trump administration’s unexpected shift from the “America First” domestic-oriented policy to such decisive involvement in Syria came….Read more

On NHK’s “Nichiyo Toron” Sunday debate show, six experts discussed Japan’s long-term care insurance, focusing on how to provide better care for the aging population. Japan launched the long-term care insurance system in 2000 to provide long-term care for people over 65. The system is funded by compulsory premiums for all those over the age of 40 and by national and….Read more

NHK’s “Nichiyo Toron” Sunday debate show aired a discussion by senior lawmakers from the ruling and opposition blocs. The opposition discussants insisted that Prime Minister Abe’s wife Akie should provide sworn testimony at the Diet based on the allegation that she “exercised her influence” over Moritomo Gakuen’s land deal with the government. However, LDP Deputy Secretary General Shimomura and Komeito….Read more