The Japan TimesFeb 19, 2024
A number of prefectures in Kyushu operate a system of loaning badges to elected assembly members — but millions of yen's worth of the items remain unreturned. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/02/19/japan/politics/japan-local-assembly-badges/ #japan #politics #kyushu #2023localelections #metals
Gold assembly badges worth millions of yen unreturned in Kyushu

Each elected member receives a new badge for every election and is supposed to return them on losing an election or retiring from politics.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesDec 14, 2023
House of Representatives lawmaker Mito Kakizawa has had his house and parliament office searched by Tokyo prosecutors over allegations of vote-buying in a mayoral election in April. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/12/14/japan/crime-legal/japan-vote-buying-lawmaker-raid/?utm_content=buffer3ec71&utm_medium=social&utm_source=mastodon&utm_campaign=bffmstdn #japan #crimelegal #mitokakizawa #kotoward #yayoikimura #2023localelections
Prosecutors search lawmaker's home, office over Tokyo vote-buying

Lower House member Mito Kakizawa is suspected of paying money to several Koto Ward assembly members to get a mayoral candidate he backed elected.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesNov 13, 2023
A 33-year-old former secretary of a ruling party lawmaker has become Japan's youngest-ever female mayor after winning election in Yawata, Kyoto Prefecture. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/11/13/japan/politics/japan-youngest-female-mayor/?utm_content=bufferadf46&utm_medium=social&utm_source=mastodon&utm_campaign=bffmstdn #japan #politics #shokokawata #2023localelections #localgovernment #kyoto #yawata
Ex-lawmaker secretary becomes Japan's youngest female mayor at 33

Shoko Kawata beat two other newcomers in the mayoral election held following the resignation of the former mayor.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesOct 22, 2023
Voting kicked off Sunday in key parliamentary by-elections — the first national contests since Prime Minister Fumio Kishida revamped his Cabinet last month in a bid to bolster his government. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/10/22/japan/politics/japan-by-elections-voting/?utm_content=buffer39a68&utm_medium=social&utm_source=mastodon&utm_campaign=bffmstdn #japan #politics #2023localelections #ldp #cdp #fumiokishida #nagasaki #tokushima #kochi
Voting kicks off in key parliamentary by-elections

The polls are the first national contests since Prime Minister Fumio Kishida revamped his Cabinet last month in a bid to bolster his government.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesJun 20, 2023
A struggle over a choice of electoral candidate in Yamaguchi Prefecture between rival Liberal Democratic Party factions ended last week, with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's caucus coming out on top. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/06/20/national/politics-diplomacy/yamaguchi-ldp-power-struggle/?utm_content=buffer71c23&utm_medium=social&utm_source=mastodon&utm_campaign=bffmstdn #news #japan #shinzoabe #ldp #yoshimasahayashi #votedisparity #yamaguchi #2023localelections #shinjiyoshida
LDP power struggle in Yamaguchi shows waning influence of Abe faction

With Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi having been selected for the new No. 3 district, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's caucus has come out on top over the Abe faction.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesMay 24, 2023
With the Hiroshima Group of Seven summit done, speculation is heating up within Japan’s political world over when an election might take place. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/05/24/national/political-parties-prepare-snap-election-talk/?utm_content=buffer70fd5&utm_medium=social&utm_source=mastodon&utm_campaign=bffmstdn #news #japan #nipponishinnokai #fumiokishida #ldp #komeito #cdp #2023localelections
Japan's political parties prepare as talk of snap election heats up

While Prime Minister Fumio Kishida may or may not call a snap election now that the G7 summit is over, that uncertainty isn't stopping political parties from planning their next moves.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesMay 15, 2023
Uzbekistan-born Tokyo politician Orzugul is hoping to use her new seat in the Setagaya Ward Assembly to address concerns of Japan's marginalized groups — issues she is all too familiar with. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/05/15/national/orzugul-setagaya-representation/?utm_content=buffer2e740&utm_medium=social&utm_source=mastodon&utm_campaign=bffmstdn #news #japan #localgovernment #2023localelections
Uzbekistan-born lawmaker looks to turn love of Japan into social change

Orzugul, who was recently elected to a seat in the Setagaya Ward Assembly, is looking to use it to address concerns of marginalized groups — issues she is all too familiar with.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesMay 14, 2023
A recent rise in approval ratings for his Cabinet has strengthened speculation that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida may dissolve the House of Representatives after the G7 summit. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/05/14/national/politics-diplomacy/japan-snap-elections/?utm_content=bufferef7ee&utm_medium=social&utm_source=mastodon&utm_campaign=bffmstdn #news #japan #fumiokishida #ldp #2023localelections
Possible snap election after G7 summit unclear despite Kishida's popularity rebound

A recent rise in approval ratings for his Cabinet has strengthened speculation that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida may dissolve the House of Representatives after the G7 summit.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesApr 28, 2023
A handful of small cities in Japan have managed to do what the rest of the country hasn’t: Elect women. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/04/28/national/politics-diplomacy/japan-town-women-politics-precedent/?utm_content=bufferee8c1&utm_medium=social&utm_source=bufferapp.com&utm_campaign=buffer #news #japan #children #womensissues #hokkaido #2023localelections #ebetsu
A small Japanese town sets new precedent for women in politics

Among the country’s city councils and assemblies, men held more than 80% of the total seats as of 2021. But in Ebetsu, more than 40% of the city council members are women.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesApr 26, 2023
Japan's public safety chief said that he kept eating a "delicious" bowl of grilled eel rice even as he was notified about an attack that apparently targeted Prime Minister Fumio Kishida earlier this month. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/04/26/national/public-safety-chief-gaffe/?utm_content=buffer3d438&utm_medium=social&utm_source=bufferapp.com&utm_campaign=buffer #news #japan #fumiokishida #gaffes #koichitani #2023localelections
Japan public safety chief kept eating despite news of Kishida attack

"I had been looking forward to eating a delicious bowl of grilled eel rice," the safety chief said. "I was just about to start eating when I received a call from the National Police Agency."

The Japan Times