DPJ chief Maehara says won't seek reelection unless views unified
January 14, 2006Seiji Maehara, leader of the opposition Democratic Party of Japan, said Saturday he will not run in the party's September presidential election if he fails to unify views within the party on foreign affairs, security and other basic policies. Maehara earlier indicated his plan to consolidate party views by June along the lines of his idea on defense issues and his notion that China poses a threat.
N. Korean delegation believed to be touring Shenzhen
January 14, 2006While official confirmation of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il's whereabouts has yet to be obtained, the possibility that he had reached Shenzhen on Saturday arose with the sighting of a large motorcade in the southern Chinese city. The motorcade of about 50 cars was spotted near a five-star hotel guarded by policemen. A hotel staffer contacted by telephone said that it is not accepting reservations until Wednesday, and that it was not allowing normal customers inside the building.
Fuwa quits as JCP's Central Committee chairman
January 14, 2006Tetsuzo Fuwa, the opposition Japanese Communist Party's top executive, quit as chairman of the Central Committee Saturday due to old age. The withdrawal of Fuwa, 75, was approved at the close of the party's four-day 24th convention in Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture. It was also decided at the convention that the party will continue to be led by Chairman Kazuo Shii and secretariat chief Tadayoshi Ichida.
Tanigaki vows to pursue tax hike, cut social security, tax grants
January 14, 2006Japanese Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki reaffirmed his commitments Friday to speed up fiscal reforms, vowing to pursue a consumption tax hike and further curtail social security spending and tax grants to local governments in the fiscal 2007 budget. Wrapping up his weeklong visit to the United States, Tanigaki said in an interview with a small group of reporters that U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow and other American leaders urged Japan to continue structural reforms to boost its economy and also to make sure that prolonged deflation ends completely.
DPJ chief Maehara says won't seek reelection unless views unified
January 14, 2006Seiji Maehara, chief of the opposition Democratic Party of Japan, said Saturday he will not run in the party's presidential election in September if he fails to unify views within the party on foreign affairs, security and other basic policies. Maehara earlier indicated his plan to consolidate views by June along the lines of his idea on defense issues and his notion that China is posing a threat.
Japan, U.S. to integrate missile defense data networks: Nukaga
January 14, 2006Japan and the United States will integrate their information networks on missile defense by the end of fiscal 2006, Japan's Defense Agency chief Fukushiro Nukaga said Friday night. After working out details such as the roles of Japan's Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. military in the initiative, the two countries are expected to sign an agreement possibly in summer, according to Nukaga, who is now visiting Russia.