While most politicians are out of Nagatacho campaigning for the upcoming election to the House of Councilors, Kasumigaseki is fighting over control of the nuclear energy policy discussion. The Denki Shimbun runs an interesting story about both METI a...

On July 6 and 7, the Asahi Shimbun conducted a second survey (telephone) in regards to the House of Councillors election. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) topped the list at 41% (the first survey conducted on June 29 and 30 indicated 44%) of propor...

Japan's economy is too large to continue to drift through recession and deflation. In considering the challenges we face, I always start from this basic realization. To put the size of the Japanese economy into context, as measured in nominal GDP, it...

At a meeting of GR Japan's International Policy Forum on 20 May, Japan's Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry, Masaaki Taira, addressed an audience of business leaders on the Abe government's growth strategy for Japan. New meas...

Since taking the helm as prime minister for the second time last December, Abe Shinzō has focused on economic policy, including the adoption of an inflation target. The market has responded favorably, and the national mind-set seems to be shifting. J...

Japan is going to adapt European Union automotive safety and environmental standards according to an article in Nikkei Shimbun this morning. Under the new rules to be negotiated under trade talks starting next week, manufacturer having cleared market...

Following last December’s election victory by the Liberal Democratic Party, its leader, Abe Shinzō, started his second term as prime minister (having previously held the post for a year in 2006–7). Among the first actions he took after forming his ca...

New York Times run this article on 16 March 2013, reporting on Prime Minister Abe's televised speech on 15 March calling for Japan to join negotiations joining the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement (TPP). Japan will seek to join negotiations for...

The Financial Times report on how Abe’s vow to reflate the world’s third-largest economy through a mixture of stimulus and structural reform has reawakened interest in stocks among Japan’s retail investors, who are the main players in smaller IPOs. A...

The Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) is seeking public comments for the proposed new feed-in tariffs to be valid for projects connecting to the grid in the period April 2013 – March 2014.