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July 24, 2026
 

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TARO KONO

Liberal Democratic Party's policy chief Takayuki Kobayashi speaks at a ruling parties meeting in Tokyo on July 17.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jul 23, 2026
Parliament extension grounds some lawmakers from overseas travel
The Lower House¡¯s rules committee turned down requests from senior Liberal Democratic Party officials so they would be available to respond to questions during the extension.
Kono Taro, Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker and former digital transformation minister, speaks during an interview in Tokyo on Tuesday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 9, 2025
BOJ should raise rates to strengthen yen and curb inflation, says Taro Kono
The comments come days after Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba¡¯s decision to resign raised questions about the outlook for economic policies.
Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Hiroshi Moriyama speaks to reporters on Friday at party headquarters.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics / FOCUS
Aug 29, 2025
Pressure builds on LDP¡¯s Moriyama to take the fall for election drubbing
It is customary in Japan for a party¡¯s secretary-general to quit after a poor showing at the polls.
Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Taro Kono called for the Bank of Japan to tighten monetary policy to bolster the yen at a time when political leadership is under pressure after the ruling coalition lost its majority in the Upper House in an election last month.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 6, 2025
LDP¡¯s Kono adds to chorus urging BOJ to tighten policy
Taro Kono¡¯s remarks come after several prominent executives made similar pleas, though no economists expect a move when the BOJ next sets policy on Sept. 19.
Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party President Shigeru Ishiba speaks at a news conference at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on Monday, a day after the Upper House election.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jul 22, 2025
Frustration simmers in LDP as Ishiba clings to post after election defeat
The Liberal Democratic Party is expected to have a meeting on July 31 where the key focus will be on whether the party¡¯s leadership can dispel concerns about staying on.
Former Foreign Minister Taro Kono
BUSINESS
Apr 23, 2025
Japan must correct Trump¡¯s false data for trade talks, says Kono
Kono said matters related to regional security shouldn¡¯t be discussed as part of the trade talks, nor should the question of how best to manage relationships with China.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba receives a gift from Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang at the start of their meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Monday.
BUSINESS / Tech
Apr 22, 2025
Nvidia CEO urges LDP to build up Japan¡¯s AI infrastructure
Japan has pledged to increase government and corporate funding in AI to over ?50 trillion ($350 billion) in the next 10 years.
Former digital minister Taro Kono has long counted reform of social security and pensions among his pet policies.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics / FOCUS
Feb 17, 2025
It¡¯s time to get serious on the pension system, ex-digital minister says
The pension study group offers Taro Kono an opportunity to tentatively?step back into the limelight after an unusually quiet period.
Digital minister Taro Kono attends an Upper House committee session in June. The cautioning of Kono over his use of his smartphone to respond to a question in the Upper House last November attracted significant attention and led to a bipartisan call for digital transformation within parliament.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Oct 4, 2024
Digitalization advances gradually in Japan¡¯s parliament
Improvement plans have been adopted but certain practices, such as the use of tablets at the podium during plenary sessions, remain off-limits.
Digital minister Taro Kono, who is contesting the Liberal Democratic Party presidential election, shows a board saying "accomplishment of reformation" during a debate in Tokyo on Sept. 14.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Sep 25, 2024
How Taro Kono lost his mojo
Recent polls have shown the digital minister trailing behind his eight other rivals in the Liberal Democratic Party presidential race.
Candidates for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election take part in a debate in Tokyo on Saturday. Of the nine candidates, three ¡ª Takayuki Kobayashi, Taro Kono, and Shigeru Ishiba ¡ª have been particularly vocal with their views on the country's energy strategy.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Sep 19, 2024
LDP presidential hopefuls face tough choices on Japan¡¯s energy future
Candidates must decide what role nuclear power will play in the government¡¯s long-term energy strategy.
Liberal Democratic Party presidential election candidates after a campaign event in Nagoya on Saturday
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics / FOCUS
Sep 18, 2024
LDP leader candidates split on separate surnames for married couples
While party conservatives worry about damaging family unity, others say it¡¯s time to push through a legislative change.
Candidates for the Liberal Democratic Party presidential election take part in a debate in Tokyo on Saturday. On Monday evening, they took part in an online debate, during which they each made a case for what the top priority should be for Japan's next prime minister.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Sep 17, 2024
LDP presidential hopefuls lay out priorities for PM in online debate
Regional revitalization, work-life balance and the clarification of the Self-Defense Forces¡¯ position in the Constitution count among candidates¡¯ top policy concerns.
Candidates for Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party presidential election stand together onstage at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Saturday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Sep 15, 2024
LDP presidential hopefuls outline approach to U.S. and China concerns
The nine candidates jostled over the best way to resolve Nippon Steel¡¯s contentious bid for U.S. Steel, while also grappling with the Chinese military challenge.
(From left) Economic security minister Sanae Takaichi, former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, former Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato, digital minister Taro Kono, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi pose for photographs at the ruling party's headquarters in Tokyo on Friday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Sep 13, 2024
LDP presidential candidates field questions on political reform and economy
At their first joint news conference after the start of campaigning, they gave their views on party and political reform and argued for a strong economic strategy.
Former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, 43, is one of two contenders who have consistently outperformed other candidates in the Liberal Democratic Party leadership race in recent polls conducted both among the general public and LDP supporters.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Sep 11, 2024
Nine hopefuls vie for LDP presidency in complex election
The leadership race is the most crowded in the ruling party¡¯s history and one of its most unpredictable in decades.
The Liberal Democratic Party's presidential race is expected to have a record number of candidates.
COMMENTARY / Japan / Perspectives
Sep 8, 2024
Unpacking Japan¡¯s messy leadership election
With so many candidates and old rules gone, brace for the most unpredictable LDP race in ages
Digital transformation minister Taro Kono speaks at a news conference on Thursday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Sep 7, 2024
LDP leadership hopefuls campaign across Japan
Six LDP members have declared their bids for the party presidency so far, with more expected in the coming days.
Former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba attends a news conference in Tokyo on Friday, ahead of the Liberal Democratic Party leadership election.
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 7, 2024
U.S. opposition to Nippon Steel deal ¡®very unsettling,¡¯ PM hopeful Ishiba says
Some experts say blocking the deal could undermine U.S.-Japan cooperation on national security, and put the lie to the notion of ¡°ally shoring.¡±
Shigeru Ishiba speaks at a supporters meeting in Tokyo on Aug. 30.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Sep 5, 2024
Taxes and political reform in focus in upcoming LDP campaign
The candidates¡¯ recipes to put the economy back on track after decades of low growth are varied, with some emphasizing redistribution and others promising no tax hikes.
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer¡¯s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ¡°seed¡± that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ¡°Peak 1 amyloid beta,¡± as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" ¡ª an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role
Iranian drones are displayed in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Jan. 13, 2025.U.S. officials have acknowledged that Russia has ?provided targeting ?and other support for Iran in its drone strikes on U.S. targets in the Persian Gulf region.
Intervention is the word after yen moves beyond ?163 and sits there
The government could prop up the yen at any moment, though its signaling is hard to read.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan¡¯s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.
Summer has arrived in Japan and so have hot sleepless nights
Amid the heat and humidity in Japan, a good night¡¯s sleep is growing increasingly elusive without the heavy use of air conditioning.
Maya Ongaku¡¯s DIY dream is getting bigger
The members of Maya Ongaku ¡ª (from left) Tsutomu Sonoda, Shoei Ikeda and Ryota Takano ¡ª grew up on the Shonan Coast south of Tokyo and have been friends since their school days.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan¡¯s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

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