May 30, 2012
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, keen to restart idled nuclear reactors to avoid a summer power crunch, said on May 30 it was necessary to start those whose safety has been confirmed, adding he was winning understanding from local authorities.
May 30, 2012
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said on May 29 that Japan’s suspended nuclear reactors must be restarted for the sake of the country’s economy and its people.
May 30, 2012
WASHINGTON--Defense Secretary Leon Panetta will brief allies on the U.S. strategic shift toward Asia and will seek to allay concerns that fiscal uncertainty could undermine Washington's commitment to the effort as he begins a week-long visit to the region this weekend.
May 30, 2012
The head of the labor union of Tokyo Electric Power Co. vowed to take revenge on May 29 against lawmakers with the ruling Democratic Party of Japan who they feel "betray" union members, by refusing to endorse them.
May 30, 2012
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and political heavyweight Ichiro Ozawa remained far apart on tax hike legislation during a May 30 meeting, but they left open the possibility of discussing the issue again.
May 29, 2012
Japan's parliament began a debate on May 29 about plans for a new nuclear watchdog, raising hopes of a compromise after months of political bickering that has postponed a tightening of industry oversight after the Fukushima crisis.
May 28, 2012
The chief government spokesman during Japan's nuclear crisis testified on May 27 that he did not deliberately mislead the public about the extent of the accident.
May 28, 2012
Once hailed for his tireless efforts in explaining the Fukushima nuclear crisis to the public, former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano came under a barrage of criticism for the information he released.
May 26, 2012
NAGO, Okinawa--Japan was expected to pledge up to $500 million (about 40 billion yen) to help island nations deal with natural disasters at the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting scheduled to finish here on May 26.
May 25, 2012
CAIRO-- The Muslim Brotherhood said May 25 its candidate in Egypt's first free presidential vote would fight a run-off next month with ex-air force chief Ahmed Shafiq, the last prime minister of deposed leader Hosni Mubarak.
May 25, 2012
Territorial and historical issues are resurfacing to strain Japan's relations with China and South Korea, forcing scheduled visits of high-ranking defense officials from both countries to be canceled.
May 25, 2012
SEOUL--South Korea’s Supreme Court ruled on May 24 that people who were forced to work without pay for Japanese companies during World War II are entitled to seek compensation.
May 25, 2012
BAGHDAD -- Iran and six world powers wrapped up talks on May 24 still far apart over how to oversee Tehran's atomic program, but with resolve to keep dialogue going as an alternative to possible military action.
May 25, 2012
BAGHDAD -- Iran accused world powers on May 24 of creating "a difficult atmosphere" that had hindered talks on its atomic energy programmer, signaling a snag in diplomacy to defuse fears of a covert Iranian effort to develop nuclear bombs.
May 24, 2012
The central government will make clear it is primarily responsible for rebuilding Fukushima Prefecture following the March 2011 nuclear disaster.
May 23, 2012
Few political insiders expect progress in next week’s meeting between Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and kingmaker Ichiro Ozawa, but they agree the consequences could be enormous: the potential disintegration of the ruling party.
May 23, 2012
Industry minister Yukio Edano left open the possibility of several of Japan’s nuclear power plants operating well into the future, despite the government’s policy of reducing Japan’s reliance on nuclear power.
May 22, 2012
The main opposition Liberal Democratic Party, clearly frustrated over Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda’s wavering ways, has resorted to threats to force decisive action on legislation to raise the consumption tax rate.
May 22, 2012
VIENNA--The U.N. nuclear watchdog director said on May 22 he expected to sign a deal with Iran soon to unblock an investigation into suspected work on atom bombs, potentially brightening prospects for big-power talks with Tehran to stop a drift toward conflict.
May 22, 2012
Japan's main opposition party appeared to offer a compromise after months of stalemate over a proposed sales tax hike, with a senior official saying it could cooperate with the government on the tax plan if it dropped its costly welfare spending pledges.