Case of Vincent Fichot Highlights Need for Joint Custody in Japan
Vincent Fichot’s hunger strike has highlighted the lack of a joint custody system in Japan for parents who are divorced or separated.
Public Policy
Going Digital: The Future of Healthcare in Japan
In this series of articles, we examine the Japanese government’s push to transform the private sector into a technological powerhouse.
Follow the Money: Understanding Suga’s Priorities in Japan’s Next Record Budget
Japan’s Ministry of Finance will soon release the budget for the fiscal year that begins next April. The spending package has taken on added significance with the new coronavirus pandemic weighing on the economy. The budget will also offer a look at how seriously the Suga administration is pursuing its stated priorities, such as advancing digitization and advanced communications.
My Memory of George H. W. Bush
I was fortunate to spend an entire week in close-quarters with America’s 41st president during his first visit to Japan after leaving office.
The Digital Agency— Why Japan’s most Recent Modernization Push Is Serious
Suga to have a digital agency up and running by the end of 2021. Each ministry previously tackled digitization independently, leading to varying levels of success and end products, and no standardized administrative framework. The new agency will coordinate and unify efforts to modernize government services.
Japan’s Smart Cities Promise New Tie-Ups with High-Tech Firms
In June the Japanese Diet passed legislation governing the creation and management of smart cities — urban centers that use cutting-edge technology to improve livability and convenience.
Japan Slowly Rolls Back Entry Restrictions for Foreign Nationals
International travel has ground to a standstill because of the COVID-19 pandemic. To slow the spread of the virus, since April 2020 Japan, more than other G7 nations, has implemented stringent entry requirements for foreign nationals.
Suga Cabinet Profiles 2021
The new cabinet was formed by Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide on September 16, 2020. With a lot of familiar faces at familiar posts, the Suga cabinet contains few surprises. It is a clear indication of Suga’s commitment to maintain Abe-era policies and priorities.
Abe’s Legacy: Japan Transformed After Eight Years in Office
Despite his victories, Abe’s success could never match his ambition, and he leaves office with several objectives unfulfilled. Nonetheless, he leaves Japan changed in ways both big and small.
Behind The Curtain Of Policymaking In Japan
Langley Esquire Vice President Yutaka Matsuzaki reflects on more than 20 years’ experience as a policy secretary in the Diet, with lawmakers that include former Minister of Justice Yasuoka Okiharu and former Representative Koike Yuriko, currently the Tokyo Metropolitan Governor.
Discovering the Key Link in Japanese Policymaking
Understanding and accessing the civil service is crucial to successful government relations in Japan. Career bureaucrats at the government agencies and ministries are among the most influential policymakers in the country.
First Foreign Aide to Diet Member in Japan
In 1982, Timothy Langley was featured on CBS Morning News as the first foreigner to become an aide to a Japanese Diet member, Taro Nakayama.