Jul 12, 2021
The organizers and some artists scheduled to take part in Ibaraki Prefecture s Rock in Japan Festival have expressed frustration over the abrupt canceling of the event even though the prefecture is not under a state of emergency.
The cancellation of the annual music festival, one of the nation s largest and which has been scrapped twice now in just two years, has sparked a backlash by some who noted that the Summer Olympics are to be held despite the state of emergency in place for the Tokyo area.
Also at issue is the canceled event won t be eligible for financial aid from the government. The central government would normally cover up to ¥25 million in costs caused by the shutting down of the event. But because Ibaraki Prefecture is not currently under a state of emergency or quasi-emergency, that is not possible, said Taro Yamada, an Upper House lawmaker and member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
Rock festival s cancellation while Olympics go on spurs backlash japantimes.co.jp - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from japantimes.co.jp Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Apr 19, 2021
OSAKA – With the strong backing of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party is discussing legislative proposals for a new Cabinet-level agency that would centralize administrative control over child education and welfare policies.
The new Children s Agency is now being discussed among LDP members. The party hopes to formally present legislation in next year’s Diet session and launch the agency during fiscal 2022. Opponents have criticized the move as a political ploy designed to win votes at election time, but the new agency’s supporters say it will be an effective way of streamlining bureaucracy in relation to children s issues.
New agency intended to put Japan s child policies under one roof japantimes.co.jp - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from japantimes.co.jp Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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Japan s leader Suga tried to soften image with talk of pancakes. Polls say it hasn t worked.
Simon Denyer, The Washington Post
Feb. 6, 2021
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Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga speaks to reporters at the Prime Minister s Office in Tokyo Jan. 28 after a phone call with U.S. President Joe Biden.Japan News-Yomiuri photo.
TOKYO - When Japan s incoming prime minister was looking for an image makeover, he probably figured you couldn t go wrong with pancakes.
So out went the grim-faced bureaucrat with a reputation as a ruthless behind-the-scenes fixer. In came the humble son of a strawberry farmer, an avuncular man who was disciplined about his sit-ups routine and devoted to his wife s homemade curry soup, but had one special weakness - his love of pancakes.