TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sought public support Tuesday for his long-cherished goal of revising the country's war-renouncing constitution amid widening scandals that have hurt his government's popularity.Abe said he wants Japan's Self-Defense Force to be officially recognized by the constitution as the country's military. Opponents say the revision could expand Japan's military role beyond current limits."Finally, it's time for us to tackle a revision to the constitution. And it's you, the people, who are to play the primary role," Abe said in a statement read by a senior member of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party at an annual campaign rally for charter change. Abe is currently traveling in the Middle East.Public opinion has been split despite an expanded campaign to drum up support for constitutional amendment in recent years. Demands for change have been led mainly by Abe's party, not the public. Abe's ruling block holds the necessary two-thirds … [Read more...] about Japan’s Abe seeks support for constitutional revision
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Leaders of South Korea, Japan, China to discuss North Korea
Associated Press Tuesday, May 1, 2018 | 8:46 a.m. SEOUL, South Korea — Leaders of South Korea, Japan and China will meet next week for a summit expected to focus on North Korea's nuclear program and other regional issues. The three Asian countries have been holding regular trilateral summits since late 2008. Next week's summit, the seventh, comes amid a flurry of high-profile diplomatic contacts aimed at ridding North Korea of its nuclear weapons. Last week, the leaders of North and South Korea met at a border village and agreed on a number of steps aimed at reconciliation. Their summit, however, didn't produce a breakthrough in the North Korean nuclear issue. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump are expected to meet in several weeks. South Korea's presidential office said Tuesday that President Moon Jae-in will attend next Wednesday's meeting in Tokyo with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. The Japanese government … [Read more...] about Leaders of South Korea, Japan, China to discuss North Korea
Stand-alone photo: Japan festival
The Japan News Published 5:58 am, Friday, May 4, 2018 Photo: Japan News-Yomiuri Image 1of/1 CaptionClose Image 1 of 1 Children walk through the belly of a huge koinobori carp streamer at Tokyo Midtown in Minato Ward, Tokyo, on May 4, 2018 during the Golden Week holiday period. The carp's 2.5-meter-wide mouth swallowed visitors up, taking them into its 25-meter-long body. less Children walk through the belly of a huge koinobori carp streamer at Tokyo Midtown in Minato Ward, Tokyo, on May 4, 2018 during the Golden Week holiday period. The carp's 2.5-meter-wide mouth swallowed visitors ... more Photo: Japan News-Yomiuri Stand-alone photo: Japan festival 1 / 1 Back to Gallery Stand-alone photo: Children walk through the belly of a huge koinobori carp streamer at Tokyo Midtown in Minato Ward, Tokyo, on May 4, 2018 during … [Read more...] about Stand-alone photo: Japan festival
Japan PM seeks public support for revision to constitution
TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is seeking public support for his long-cherished goal of revising the country's war-renouncing constitution amid widening scandals that have hurt his government's popularity. In a statement Tuesday, Abe said he wants the status of Japan's self-defense force spelled out as military, as he desperately seeks a revision. Opponents say it could expand Japan's military role beyond its current limit. Public opinion has been split despite a scaled-up campaign to drum up support in recent years. Critics of the 1947 charter say it was imposed by the U.S. occupation after Japan's World War II defeat. They say it's outdated and its pacifist restrictions make Japan vulnerable to growing security threat from North Korea. You might also be interested in... … [Read more...] about Japan PM seeks public support for revision to constitution
Japan PM tells Jordan king he aims for strategic partnership
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — Visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told Jordan's King Abdullah II on Tuesday that he hopes to upgrade Tokyo's ties with the kingdom into a strategic partnership.Abe told the monarch that "Jordan's stability is indispensable for regional stability," and that Japan will provide as much aid as possible to ensure the country's economic and social stability. The Japanese prime minister was accompanied by a delegation of business leaders.He said he hoped to "dramatically develop our bilateral ties."Jordan, a key Western ally, has struggled with a sluggish economy, including rising unemployment, in the wake of regional conflicts, including in neighboring Syria and Iraq. The fighting next door has severely disrupted Jordan's trade.Abdullah told Abe that he hopes to develop trade ties between the two countries.From Amman, Abe flew to Israel, where he is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday. Upon arrival at Ben Gurion … [Read more...] about Japan PM tells Jordan king he aims for strategic partnership