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The article presents information on the politics and economy of Japan, as of March 20, 2010. It focuses on the brand scandal involving Toyota automobiles with uncontrollable acceleration, and ties this to a larger pattern of Japanese decline beginning in the late 1980s. The question of whether the Japanese government will be able to improve the nation's situation is addressed.

The article focuses on the political change happening in Japan as a result of the Democratic Party of Japan's (DPJ's) victory over the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in the summer of 2009. The DPJ, led by Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, has promised to lessen the power of the bureaucrats. Particular attention is given to Japan's attempt to model its system of government after Britain's system of government.

The article profiles Japan's prime minister, Yukio Hatoyama, who is expected to address the United Nations about making the world free of nuclear weapons. Hatoyama is described as a centrist leader in the model of former U.S. President Bill Clinton. His belief in fraternal love or yuai is said to form the underpinnings of his foreign policy.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in the September 15, 2008 issue, including "What We'll Find Inside the Atom" by Leon Lederman, "Why Japan's Rulers Still Can't Deal With a Loyal Opposition", and "All Politics Isn't Local."

The article discusses Shinzo Abe, the nationalist prime minister of Japan. He improved international relations with China and South Korea, yet is facing criticism on his domestic policy. The public has faulted Abe for weak leadership and a failure to stay on message. The author states that Abe's tenure has been complicated by his "conservative idealism." His popularity has fallen sharply in the polls.

The author looks at how immigrants are changing social, political and economic conditions in Japan. It is suggested that there is a disconnect in Japan about what the country is becoming and what most Japanese want it to be. According to the author, many Japanese still cling to the notion that Japanese society is a unique, homogenous culture. Details related to the increase of foreign people in Japan are reviewed.

The article looks at how Japan has become enveloped in a deepening diplomatic isolation in recent years. The author suggests that Japan wartime past has never mattered so much, despite the fact that it has been sixty years since the end of World War II. It is inferred that the animosity felt in Asia and the rest of the world toward Japan's military history and past military actions was dismissed during the country's years as an economic powerhouse but that this animosity is now beginning to threaten continued economic growth. Japan's influence in Asia is being increasingly threatened by China. Japan's failed bid to earn a seat on the United Nations Security Council is discussed. Japan has publicly refuted foreign sensitivities to its past military actions.

Offers a look at political conditions in Japan under Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Report that Koizumi was forced to call a snap election when the privatization of Japan Post failed to materialize; Claim of experts that the restructuring of Japan Post would help revitalize the country's economy; Possibility that Koizumi's pro-reform LDP will win the election; Competition the LDP faces from the Democratic Party of Japan, led by Katsuya Okada; Report that Koizumi has forced LDP members who voted against the privatization of Japan Post to campaign as independents.

Reports on the popularity of Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi. Reasons why Koizumi stands head and shoulders above his political rivals; Success of Koizumi's economic reform policies; Discussion of Koizumi's presidential style of leadership; Details of Japan's recent economic recovery; Speculation about whether Koizumi will lose his job due to a pension scandal that has brought down several members of government; Discussion of how the forced resignation of Naoto Kan, head of the opposition Democratic Party of Japan, could effect Koizumi; Discussion of the challenges Koizumi must face, including a slowdown in economic growth, the controversy surrounding his trips to North Korea, and the need to defend his decision to send troops to Iraq.

The article discusses the role of Japan's newly appointed Land, Infrastructure and Transport minister, 46-year-old Nobuteru Ishihara. Haruho Fujii, the president of Japan Highway Public Corp., has been accused by a whistle-blower of trying to derail the planned privatization of the highway corporation by inflating its net worth a staggering $50 billion, lying to Parliament and purging reformers who opposed his leadership. Those charges, first leveled in July, have so far failed to bring down Fujii, who denies conspiring to block reform and says the internal audit that showed the corporation to be insolvent was "unofficial." Ishihara is searching for a successor to Fujii, who is expected to fall within weeks. Fresh from a triumph over hard-liners in his ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is intensifying his campaign to remake Japan. Last week he appointed a young, independent-minded and telegenic new cabinet--a cadre of leaders with the skills to be more than figureheads.

Examines the issue of whether Japan will continue to be an economic superpower. Prediction by some that Japan's economy will soon look like that of Austria or Switzerland; Fall in the support of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi; Characterization of the economy as locked in stagnant prosperity; Popularity of Tokyo's xenophobic governor Shintaro Ishihara; Failure of multinational corporations to succeed as deflation has weakened them; Need for Japan to generate more income for its aging population; Outlook.

Reports on the political sphere in Japan as of November 27, 2000. Efforts of Koichi Kato to overthrow unpopular Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori; How Kato has offended members of his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP); Problems within the LDP and actions the party could take against Kato.

Reports on the political arena in Japan as of April 17, 2000. Illness of Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi and choice of successor Yoshiro Mori; Need for major reforms in Japan by which to facilitate a move into the global economy; Alienation that Japanese feel due to the closed political system. INSETS: A Web of Uncensored Debate, by Kay Ito;'Life is Like a Rugby Ball,' by Hideko Takayama.

The article presents an analysis of the apparent shortcomings of several Japanese political leaders. The February 2009 resignation of Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa is mentioned, noting that he appeared drunk while in attendance at a G7 conference in Rome, Italy. The weak leadership of Prime Minister Taro Aso and others in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is also discussed.

The article discusses the difficulties faced by Japanese Prime Minster Shinzo Abe in his first six months in office. Abe has been helped by attempts to mend Japan's relationship with China. Abe has been criticized for his denial of Japanese atrocities committed against China during the Sino-Japanese War. Abe is pushing for a Japanese foreign policy based on democratic values.

This article looks at the possible candidacy of Shinzo Abe to replace Junichiro Koizumi when he decides to step down as Japan's prime minister. Abe comes from a strong political heritage with his father, Shintaro Abe, and grandfather, Nobusuke Kishi, being top-level politicians. Abe will have competition from Sadakazu Tanigaki and some analysts think that Koizumi might favor an outsider such as Yuriko Koike.

Focuses on Japan's forthcoming parliamentary elections. Review of how Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has defined the September 11, 2005 election as a grandiose revenge drama and a battle of good versus evil; Political history of Koizumi; Overview of Koizumi's plan to deliver comprehensive government reforms and transform his own Liberal Democratic Party; Discussion of how Koizumi's plan has proved popular among voters.

The author reports on the efforts of Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to reform his Liberal Democratic Party and change Japan. The LDP faithful have rallied around a leader who is committed not to protecting the status quo but to changing the way Japan operates. Barring an upset, their efforts should return the party that has ruled Japan virtually since World War II to power yet again. That is not to say Koizumi's path to victory will be routine. In recent weeks he has forced dozens of elderly party men, most his foes, to retire from Parliament. In their stead the LDP has stacked its ticket with a cadre of relatively young unknowns dubbed "Koizumi's children." The prime minister's legacy now rides on their success at the ballot box. Putting them in office will be no easy feat. By the late 1990s, in fact, the LDP's support had fallen so much that it was forced into a three-way coalition to retain its grip on power. To reverse that slide, Koizumi's allies have retooled a vote-gathering machine that was built to run on pork. Instead of handouts, LDP hopefuls now trade on the public image of leading cabinet ministers and their ideas for changing Japan. One measure of the times is weightier party platforms. Another is the proliferation of partisan think tanks churning out economic fix-it schemes. To an unprecedented degree in Japan, media coverage has focused squarely on policy--a trend the electorate evidently welcomes. The opposition has staked its future on a younger ticket, too. But unlike the ruling party, the DPJ is fielding candidates of the sort not traditionally drawn into politics.

Focuses on Junichiro Koizumi, prime minister of Japan. How his views, such as postal privatization, set him apart in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP); Need for the LDP to win upper-house elections in order to keep Koizumi in office; Opinion that he must convince Japanese voters that he has a plan to rejuvenate their economy in order to keep support.

The article discusses the transition of power from the Liberal Democratic Party to the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) in Japan. Details are provided about the role of politician Ichiro Ozawa in the the DPJ and the bribery scandal facing Ozawa. The recent political history of Japan is examined and the relationship between Japan and the U.S. is explored.

The author comments on Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, who was appointed in September 2007 as leader of the Liberal Democratic Party. The author claims that Fukuda seems to be bereft of ideas, has made no attempts at reform, and has not appointed a central banker. The article discusses his predecessors Shinzo Abe and the popular Junichiro Koizumi, and their scandals. Fukuda is described as a waffler who may not last long and his demise may trigger a realignment in Japanese politics.

The article describes the current political culture in Japan, and states that both political parties seem to be unfocused, which is alienating voters. The article states that the Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, may be forced to step down if the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) party loses seats in an Upper House parliamentary election. The article describes the reasons for the public disillusionment in politics in Japan.

The article reports that Japanese politicians are turning Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visits to the Yasukuni war memorial against him. The memorial recognizes the Japanese war dead of World War II, including 14 war criminals, executed by Allied forces for actions against China and South Korea. Members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party who do not support Koizumi or his apparent successor Shinzo Abe, hope to play on fears that Japan is taking a combative stance towards its neighbors.

The article looks at how Japan's diplomatic relations with China are effecting its status as a leading power in Asia. When Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Wu Yi arrived in Tokyo on May 17, the visit was billed as part of a new move toward reconciliation after recent feuding between Asia's two biggest economies. Needless to say, it didn't work out as the optimists had hoped. Shortly before a scheduled meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Wu suddenly announced that she was heading back to Beijing--an unprecedented affront. Japan's status in Asia, once a virtual given, is being challenged like never before by China's ascendance. Not that long ago it seemed that Tokyo could ensure its influence in the region by doling out generous helpings of foreign aid to Asian economies. But now Japan's political class finds itself confronting a shrewd and skillful rival for regional leadership--one that, moreover, isn't afraid to use historical grievance to advance its agenda. As China rapidly expands and modernizes its military, Japan has been quietly refurbishing its own armed forces (including intensified research into missile defense and enhancing operational compatibility with the U.S. military). But in every case the Koizumi administration finds itself facing tricky choices.

Profiles Heizo Takenaka, an economic reformer in Japan. Possibility that Takenaka will be elected prime minister following the resignation of Junichiro Koizumi in 2006; Discussion of the economic activity within Japan; Role of Takenaka in the privatization of Japan Post, the postal system; Popularity of Takenaka in the country's Liberal Democratic Party.

Examines problems in Japan's beef market. Drop in beef consumption due to reports of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE); How many of Japan's butcher shops may be mislabeling imported meat as Japanese in order to raise prices; Dilemma of Japanese consumers; How the Japanese government failed to prepare for BSE risks and lost credibility; The public-awareness campaign to promote U.S. beef in Japan; Outlook.

Focuses on Japanese foreign minister Makiko Tanaka, who represents Japan's first female foreign minister. Struggle between Tanaka and career Foreign Ministry bureaucrats; Attempts she has made to reform a corrupt ministry; Accusation that she is prone to temper tantrums; Relationship between Tanaka and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, both of whom stand out from the mainstream of the Liberal Democratic Party; Pressures facing Koizumi to fire Tanaka; View that Tanaka is arguably Japan's most popular politician.

Reports on the proposed reforms of Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. His popularity with Japanese who are tired of economic stagnation; Political agenda; Skepticism of experts and concerns that he will have trouble pushing reforms through.

Discusses whether Junichiro Koizumi, prime minister of Japan, will bring economic reform to Japan. His membership in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP); How the Japanese public is aware of the need for reform; Question of whether Koizumi has the understanding and character to bring about reform; Suggestion that the LDP will not support reform.

Presents an interview with Koichi Kato, a Liberal Democratic Party member in Japan who wants to overthrow the prime minister. Reasons why he wants to get prime minister Yoshiro Mori out of office; Hopes of Kato to become prime minister to change the country; Discussion of Japan's biggest economic challenge, including a drop in consumer spending.

Looks at insurance fraud in Japan. The amount of premiums collected by licensed insurance companies in 1997, and the number of fraud cases reported; The impact of the Japanese government opening the insurance industry to foreign firms; Three examples of insurance fraud, including the case of housewife Masumi Hayashi who allegedly slipped arsenic into pots of curry being served at a local festival; Why Japan's insurance companies are easily defrauded. INSET: Costly Claims.

The article discusses the political dilemma of Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan. It notes the revival of support for the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), and the issue of Prime Minister Kan's controversial economic policies. The article mentions that Prime Minister Kan's political survival is threatened by his opposition to the DPJ's economic program for increasing domestic demand and strengthening of the Japanese yen. The author notes that Prime Minister Kan's policies could also have a negative effect on U.S. relations.

The article presents quotes from German President Horst Köhler regarding Germany's military presence in Afghanistan, Turkey's prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan responding to Israel's attack on a boat carrying aid activists, and Japan's prime minister Naoto Kan on political rival Ichiro Ozawa.

The article focuses on the administration of former Japanese Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa and how it is similar to Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). The author presents a Japanese political forecast for 2010 and discusses deregulation in Japan, and economic forecasting.

The author focuses on an increased role for Japan in global affairs now that the Democratic Party of Japan has come to power with Ichiro Ozawa as Secretary-General and Yukio Hatoyama as Prime Minister. The author mentions that many Americans worry that Japan will now turn away from the U.S., but the author suggests Japan wants, instead, to be on an equal footing with the U.S.

In this article the author comments on Yukio Hatoyama, the prime minister of Japan and leader of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) which won the 2009 general election against the Liberal Democratic Party. The central focus of the article is discussion of Hatoyama's leadership, examined in light of the fact that neither he nor the DPJ has held power before.

The article discusses politics and government in Japan. The opposition Democratic Party of Japan is forecast to score a victory in national elections to be held August 30, 2009. The party's reliance on relatively inexperienced political candidates is examined. It is noted that former party leader Ichiro Ozawa has founded three other political parties, all of which have failed.

This article discusses the political position of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), which is the leading opposition party in that country's Parliament. Although the DPJ under Yukio Hatoyama is likely to win 2009 parliamentary elections, the author is skeptical about their ability to bring political change to Japan. The similarities between the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the DPJ policies on corruption, budget cuts, and foreign policy are considered.

The article reports on Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and opposition leader Ichiro Ozawa. Fukuda's approval rating is 21 percent, the second lowest of any Japanese prime minister, and 63 percent of citizens support neither him nor Ozawa. The article also discusses the Democrat Party's 2008 parliamentary election victory, as well as scandals, bipartisan alliances, and general elections.

This article focuses on Japan's new prime minister, Shinzo Abe. Abe has come into power without a clear policy agenda. He will have to decide whether to emulate former prime minister Yasuhiro Nakasone, a strong nationalist who understood that national interest sometimes trumps ideology, or whether he will let ideology drive policy. He will focus first on foreign and security policy and reestablish dialogue with China and South Korea.

The article focuses on the 2006 Commitment to Development Index, just released by the CGD and "Foreign Policy" magazine. According to the author, the index ranks Japan last despite the fact that it ranked as the world's largest aid donor just six years ago. Details related to recent economic conditions in Japan are reviewed.

This article focuses on Japan's response to North Korea's nuclear missile tests initiated by its leader, Kim Jong Il. Under Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Japan is looking at bolstering specific weapons capabilities to counter increased volatility in the region. Currently, Japan's Self-Defense Forces lacks conventional offensive capabilities, but through a deal with the United States, Japan is purchasing radar systems, interceptor missiles, antiballistic missiles, and fighter jets.

The article looks at how Japan is reacting to a reports that North Korea is preparing to test launch a ballistic missile. According to the author, Japanese intelligence has been unable to garner any information regarding the reasons for the test. The author states that Japan, although considered to be an economic heavyweight, is a lightweight in the field of global espionage.

The article reports on a series of scandals that have made governing difficult for Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. The Liberal Democratic Party and prime-ministerial candidate Shinzo Abe met with an architectural firm that falsified earthquake resistance data. It was revealed that disgraced Livedoor head Takafumi Horie campaigned for Koizumi. There have been calls for the Agriculture minister to resign over failed beef-safety inspections of U.S. imports.

The article reports on Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's recent decision to shake up his cabinet. According to the author, Koizumi's action caught Japanese politicians off guards and set the country on a potentially risky foreign-policy course. Koizumi named Liberal Democrat Shinzo Abe as the government's chief policy spokesman. It is inferred that the move makes Abe the leading contender to succeed Koizumi in 2006.

This article presents briefs related to events in foreign countries. The Ecuadorian President's focus on constitutional reform has irked Congress and slowed bank appointments. In Kuwait, a family squabble over the crown prince is delaying reforms to open the oil sector to more development. The appeal of Bulgarian nurses could be postponed in Libya, as Kaddafi angles for a lucrative trade-off with anxious Western governments. In Japan, the Prime Minister prospect and media darling Shinzo Abe could be passed over for a candidate better able to cool China tensions.

Reports that investors worldwide are expecting a victory by Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in the county's September 2005 elections. Review of Koizumi's unwillingness to back down on postal-service reform; Increase in investment in Japanese stock funds; Comments on the impact of a landslide Koizumi victory from Hiromichi Shirakawa, chief economist at USB Securities in Tokyo.

Suggests that a split in Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) could weaken it, along with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. Suicide of Parliament member Yoji Nagaoka; How Nagaoka's death reflected a bitter internal struggle within the LDP over Koizumi's political style and his reform agenda; Public opinion concerning Koizumi; Political issues, including economic recovery, pension reform and foreign policy; Efforts of the LDP to regain the voters' trust; pressure on Koizumi to improve relations with China and South Korea.

The article observes that older mothers are on the rise in Japan. Although Japan has one of the lowest birthrates in the world, Japanese women in their late 30s and older are beginning to have more babies, despite their declining fertility. The average age at which a Tokyo woman has her first child is now 30--a full five years older than the U.S. average. Medically, "the right time" to give birth is before 35, when the ability to conceive declines and the rate of miscarriage rises. Yet more older women would likely become mothers if they could. Japanese women have fewer options than Westerners: surrogate mothers are banned, and artificial insemination is strictly regulated. So is adoption. Faced with a baby dearth, the Japanese government is pushing yet another initiative--its third--to encourage a more relaxed, family-oriented lifestyle.

Describes the political changes occurring in the Japanese government under Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. Extent of the long term economic problems faced by Japan; Contributions of the Liberal Democratic Party leaders, and their key constituents, to the Japanese economic decline; Election of Koizumi, and the domestic reforms he has begun; Efforts of Japan to become more involved in international affairs; Impact of a larger role for Japan.