Environmental Action

Despite being the host nation for the Kyoto protocol on reducing carbon emissions, it is reported in the September issue of the monthly current affairs journal ‘Sekai’, that Japan is far from attaining its 2008-2012 target of a 6% overall reduction from 1990 levels. In fact, carbon emissions have risen by about 7.8% since 1990.

Support for Constitutional reform cools

The results of a survey across all major political parties conducted by the Asahi and Tokyo University were published in the Asahi today.

Youth vote changed the election

The Asahi reports today the results of a survey of young people who voted in the recent Upper House elections. The conclusion drawn is that it is no longer true to say that young people have no interest in politics – in fact if the political battles of the year so far show us anything, [...]

Atomic Bomb Day

Today (6th August), Japan remembers the approximately 140,000 who died when the plutonium-loaded FatBoy atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. In 3 days time, on 9th August, it will be Nagsaki’s turn – 70,000 perished when the uranium-loaded LittleBoy was dropped over a christian district in the city.

Schedule for Constitutional Reform

The Asahi Shinbun yesterday published an outline of the schedule for reform of the Constitution.

Changing SDF

The Japanese Self-Defense Forces, the largest non-army in the world and 4th largest military force in the world, is in the process of a significant transformation.

29th July Upper House Election Result

Although a significant swing was predicted in the days leading up to the Upper House election last Sunday (29th July), the Democratic Party’s victory can only be described as resounding.