The Japan Innovation Party hopes voters in the Feb. 8 Lower House election will see their being on the inside of government as a sign of strength, but the party has long had trouble expanding beyond its Osaka base. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/01/28/japan/politics/nippon-ishin-election/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #nipponishinnokai #hirofumiyoshimura #osaka #seijimaehara #fumitakefujita #2026lowerhouseelection
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.

The Japan Times
As Japan heads into another general election, it is becoming increasingly uncertain whether conservative voters will make a return to the Liberal Democratic Party. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/01/27/japan/politics/conservative-voters/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #ldp #cra #sanseito #nipponishinnokai #dpp #sanaetakaichi #2026lowerhouseelection #soheikamiya #fumitakefujita
Can Takaichi win back conservative votes?

It’s increasingly uncertain whether conservative voters will return to the Liberal Democratic Party in the upcoming Lower House election.

The Japan Times
The Japan Innovation Party is touting itself as the axle of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s administration — and not its brake — as it unveils its manifesto to woo supporters of her Liberal Democratic Party. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/01/21/japan/politics/jip-manifesto/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #2026lowerhouseelection #nipponishinnokai #sanaetakaichi #ldp #fumitakefujita #osaka
Unveiling manifesto, JIP touts itself as Takaichi administration's 'accelerator'

The party seeks to woo Liberal Democratic Party supporters by highlighting their shared destination.

The Japan Times
In Japan, political parties’ origins and backers are more consistent indicators of their leanings, rather than the left-right labels that apply more conveniently in the U.S. and Europe. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/11/27/japan/politics/explainer-political-parties-labeling/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #ldp #cdp #nipponishin #jcp #dpp #komeito #sanseito #sanaetakaichi #yoshihikonoda #yuichirotamaki #tetsuosaito #fumitakefujita #tomokotamura #soheikamiya
A guide to Japan’s political parties ... beyond the binary labels

The origins of the respective parties and who backs them — rather than left-right labels — are more consistent indicators of their leanings.

The Japan Times
Sanae Takaichi’s first speech before Japan’s parliament highlighted her focus on economic reforms, navigating a divided coalition and addressing the challenges of a shrinking population and foreign labor. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/editorials/2025/11/07/takaichi-gets-squeezed-on-every-front/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #editorials #sanaetakaichi #ldp #jip #shinzoabe #fumiokishida #sanseito #komeito #kimionoda #fumitakefujita
Domestic issues dominate prime minister's strong Diet debut

It was a solid performance that was, not surprisingly given her minority government and the new coalition that she heads, short on details.

The Japan Times
A Bank of Japan rate hike amid calls for more investment in the private sector could come across as contradictory, Japan Innovation Party co-leader Fumitake Fujita says. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/11/06/economy/fujita-ishin-boj-rate-hike/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #economy #fumitakefujita #japaneseeconomy #nipponishinnokai #boj
JIP cautions against mixed message of a BOJ hike

Such a move could seem contradictory amid calls for more investment in the private sector, Japan Innovation Party co-leader Fumitake Fujita says.

The Japan Times
Japan Innovation Party co-leader Fumitake Fujita said he will not resign from his post following revelations that he paid his secretary’s firm ¥21 million to print political leaflets. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/11/04/japan/politics/jip-coleader-refuses-resignation/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #fumitakefujita #nipponishinnokai #corruption
JIP co-leader refuses to resign over ¥21 million payment to secretary’s firm

Fumitake Fujita defended his payment to his secretary’s firm, saying there was nothing illegal about placing orders for printing services.

The Japan Times
In her first debate with the main opposition, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi defended her choice to appoint lawmakers involved in the Liberal Democratic Party slush fund scandal to Cabinet and party roles in parliament. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/11/04/japan/politics/takaichi-questioning/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #sanaetakaichi #yoshihikonoda #ldp #cdp #nipponishinnokai #fumitakefujita
Takaichi defends choices for government posts in first debate with Noda

CDP leader Yoshihiko Noda lambasted the prime minister's decision to appoint LDP lawmakers involved in the slush fund scandal to government posts.

The Japan Times
Fumitake Fujita, co-leader of the Japan Innovation Party, said he would stop placing orders with his secretary’s company following a report of dubious spending. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/11/03/japan/politics/jip-fujita-secretary-firm/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #fumitakefujita #nipponishinnokai
JIP co-leader Fumitake Fujita to stop using secretary’s firm

Fumitake Fujita, co-leader of the Japan Innovation Party, said he would stop placing orders with his secretary’s company following a report of dubious spending.

The Japan Times
How is Takaichi doing after a week at the helm?

The Japanese public's reaction to her first week as prime minister has been overwhelmingly positive.

The Japan Times