TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Thursday the government was considering setting up a new coronavirus testing facility dedicated to overseas travelers, as he stressed the need to reopen borders to business and trade. “The present state of ‘isolation’ has an enormous impact at a time of […]
Abe
With dinners canceled, Abe drifts away from public
TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has tried to make up for gym closures due to the coronavirus pandemic by walking 10,000 steps a day on weekends. He walks around his house in Tomigaya, Shibuya, or inside the prime minister’s official residence in central Tokyo. But one thing the 65-year-old leader has […]
Abe offers refuge to Hong Kong finance workers
TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday suggested that the country would seek to take in Hong Kong residents employed in the financial sector and other specialized fields as China moves to impose national security legislation on the city. “We have been welcoming foreign talent with specialized and technical abilities, including from Hong […]
Abe softens stance on full-scale Olympics to avoid cancellation
TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has repeatedly vowed to hold the Olympics in a “complete form” next summer, but those ambitions are being tamped down as he hopes to avoid the worst case scenario: a cancellation of the event. The International Olympic Committee’s executive board meets online Wednesday […]
Abe urged to rethink Xi’s Japan visit by own party, citing Hong Kong
TOKYO — Japan should reconsider the planned state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping after Beijing’s move to impose national security legislation on Hong Kong, members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party wrote in a resolution Friday. The document, put forward by two LDP foreign policy panels, expresses “grave and […]
Abe comes down on side of economy with decision to reopen Tokyo
TOKYO — Anxious about the state of Japan’s economy, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe huddled with cabinet members ahead of Monday’s decision to lift the coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo and four other regions. “Let’s go with this,” he said Sunday night, drawing agreement from economic and fiscal policy chief Yasutoshi […]
Abe declares end to Japan’s coronavirus emergency
TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe lifted the coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo and four other prefectures on Monday, ending seven weeks of economic restrictions and ushering in an uncertain “new normal.” Although the country of 126 million has recorded over 16,000 infections and 800 deaths since the […]
Abe to attend if G-7 holds in-person summit
TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has informed the U.S., the chair of the Group of Seven nations this year, that he will attend a leaders’ meeting if it takes place in June as the White House hopes. U.S. President Donald Trump said this week that he may again […]
Abe suffers a blow as public backlash delays prosecutor bill
TOKYO — Japan’s ruling party has given up on passing controversial legislation extending the retirement age of top prosecutors during the current session in the face of mounting public opposition, dealing a major blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The shelving of a key bill pushed by the ruling coalition […]
Abe suffers a blow as public anger delays prosecutor bill
TOKYO — Japan’s ruling party has given up on passing controversial legislation extending the retirement age of top prosecutors during the current session in the face of mounting public opposition, dealing a major blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The shelving of a key bill pushed by the ruling coalition […]