930148mike said...

930148mike at 08:16 AM JST - 12th September

One wonders whether Mr Chen Shui-bian's conviction and jailing for corruption is based in fact or is in reality a fabricated "stitch up" by his political opponents in the Kuo Min Tang. Mr Chen's family has been severely punished for supposed corruption - with his wife being jailed for life,…

Posted in Taiwan court gives life sentence to ex-president Chen for graft at 08:16 AM JST - 12th September
930148mike at 05:40 PM JST - 11th July

It is perhaps little surprise that Japan has agreed to pay for the relocation of US troops from Japanese territory to another, less controversial, location - this being the Pacific Island of Guam. Residents of Okinawa Prefecture, for years now, have made their displeasure at the presence of US service…

Posted in Japan offers $336 mil to pay for U.S. Marines' transfer to Guam at 05:40 PM JST - 11th July
930148mike at 07:02 PM JST - 31st May

Now that the Aso Government's 13.9 trillion yen (or US$147 billion) supplementary budget has been forced through the Diet, the Prime Minister might be thinking that he can now go to the people saying that his Government is actively promoting a potential turnaround for the ailing Japanese economy. The question,…

Posted in Senior LDP lawmakers expect general election in August at 07:02 PM JST - 31st May
930148mike at 04:58 PM JST - 30th March

Mr Kensaku Morita (the supposedly 'independent' candidate who is strongly backed by the LDP) won the Chiba gubernatorial election by a wide margin over four other candidates, including Mr Taira Yoshida, the DPJ-backed candidate. Mr Morita won in a virtual landslide, receiving 1,015,978 votes - 378,987 more than Mr Yoshida's…

Posted in Morita elected Chiba governor in DPJ setback at 04:58 PM JST - 30th March
930148mike at 09:20 PM JST - 29th March

Both Japan and China fear each other's growing military spending and profiles. Reports say that, in 2009, China has spent US$70 billion on the PLA, whilst Japan has spent US$49 billion on the SDF. Whichever way one looks at such figures, they show substantial expenditure in both countries on military…

Posted in Japan, China differ on military transparency at 09:20 PM JST - 29th March
930148mike at 07:30 AM JST - 21st March

The report that DPJ Leader Mr Ichiro Ozawa received 1.72 billion Yen (or US$17.9 million) in political donations between 1994 and 2007 from contractors is a damaging revelation. Specifically concerning the Nishimatsu Construction Company, from 2002 onward that Company, now tainted and disgraced, won no fewer than 16 public works…

Posted in Ozawa's group got Y1.72 bil from fundraising parties over 13 years at 07:30 AM JST - 21st March
930148mike at 06:30 PM JST - 15th March

It appears that neither major party leader, Prime Minister Taro Aso of the LDP, nor DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa, is ready to contest a Lower House Election at present. Mr Aso's popularity with voters is around 10% or less and several names have been put forward as his likely successor…

Posted in Aso indicates Diet dissolution this spring unlikely at 06:30 PM JST - 15th March
930148mike at 03:17 AM JST - 15th March

There are a number of variables currently affecting politics in Japan. One is will either leader of the major parties (Mr Taro Aso or Mr Ichiro Ozawa) remain in office to fight the next election? Another is will there be a real electoral choice between the policies of the LDP…

Posted in DPJ lawmaker refuses to step down over alleged illegal donations at 03:17 AM JST - 15th March
930148mike at 09:30 PM JST - 5th March

The arrest on Tuesday of Mr Takanori Okubo is a damaging blow to the DPJ and to its leader Mr Ichiro Ozawa. It is also a boon to the floundering LDP, giving it some hope of being able to claw back some much-needed public support. However, it remains to be…

Posted in Prosecutors may question Ozawa over arrest of his aide at 09:30 PM JST - 5th March
930148mike at 10:43 PM JST - 14th February

Given that the Government of Prime Minister Mr Taro Aso is deeply unpopular and that the LDP he leads will probably lose the next General Election, it is prudent of the US Secretary of State to seek a Meeting with the alternative Prime Minister of Japan, Mr Ichiro Ozawa. Since…

Posted in Clinton requests meeting with DPJ's Ozawa during Japan visit at 10:43 PM JST - 14th February