Liberal Japan

Top Ten news stories in Japan as of 11 pm last night (from Kyodo news):

1. Abe says again, with emphasis, he won’t resign. He also stated he will not reorganize his cabinet any earlier than he has already stated. His current plan is to reshuffle the cabinet at the end of August. When asked about the sacking of Farm Minister Norihiko Akagi, Abe said that as Akagi could not adequately explain discrepancies in the use of public funds, he no longer had the confidence of the people. Due to this situation, Akagi could no longer function in his position.
Japanese story: 内閣改造前倒しを否定　首相続投方針、重ねて強調

2. Over half of election winners oppose revising Article 9. More than half of the winners in Sunday’s upper house election are opposed to revising war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution and nearly half of them do not approve exercising the right to collective self-defense, a Kyodo News survey showed Wednesday. But 64.6 percent of the House of Councillors members elected this time — both rookies and those reelected — back amending the Constitution, which has yet to be revised since it came into effect in 1947, according to the poll. …The results also showed 65.5 percent are against visits by prime ministers to the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine. … A combined 55.7 percent of the respondents oppose revision of Article 9. … Among the DPJ winners, a combined 68.5 percent are against revision of Article 9 or constitutional revision itself. But among the LDP winners, 68.8 percent back thorough amendment or partial revision including Article 9. The poll also showed 48.7 percent of the respondents are opposed to allowing Japan to exercise the right of collective self-defense — or the right to defend an ally, such as the United States, if it comes under attack. The issue is a contentious one under the Constitution. Among the LDP winners, 78.1 percent back possible exercise of the right of collective self-defense. But all the winners of the New Komeito party, the LDP’s junior partner in the ruling coalition, are against it. Only 24.5 percent of the DPJ winners support it. On visits to Yasukuni by premiers, 53.1 percent of the LDP winners expressed support but all the New Komeito winners were opposed. Among the DPJ winners, 86.0 percent expressed opposition. … (English link.)
Japanese story: ９条改正反対は５５％　集団的自衛権行使も否定的

3. Yuu Aku, a popular song writer from the 70s, has passed away.
Japanese story: 阿久悠さんが死去　歌謡曲作詞の代表的存在

4. Measles shots for those between 13 and 18. In a response to measles outbreaks across Japan starting next year, the government will initiate a new inoculations program. Those between 13 and 18 will get at least one booster shot before graduating high school. So says the The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Also, the normal inoculation system will revised to require that all children receive two shots for measles by the time they have completed elementary school.
Japan story: １３歳と１８歳にワクチン接種　はしか対策で厚労省

5. Sumo: Asashoryu suspended from autumn, Kyushu sumo tourneys.
The Japan Sumo Association took the surprising measure Wednesday of suspending Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu from the next two grand sumo tournaments as punishment for playing in a soccer charity event in his home country after opting to sit out the summer regional tour citing injuries. It is the first time in the history of the sport that a yokozuna has been suspended or received a salary cut. … (English Link.)
Japanese story: 朝青龍は２場所の出場停止　現役横綱に初の厳罰

6. The Nikkei broke through the 16,900 level, while US stocks set 4 1/2 month lows.
Japanese story: 東証、１万６９００円割れ　米株安受け、４カ月半ぶり

7. DPJ completes is Upper House appointments. DPJ has retained Azuma Koshiishi as its leader in the Upper House. This will make him the default president of the Upper House when they next reconvene.
Japanese story: 民主参院会長に輿石氏　議長は江田氏で最終調整

8. Experts take walking tour of quake stricken nuclear plant. Eight experts from various related fields did a walking survey of the damage done to the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant by the Chuetsu-oki earthquake. They paid especial attention to the number three reactor and the area of the plant where the fire occurred.
Japanese story: 新潟県が原発立ち入り調査　専門家同行、被害を確認

9. Typhoon number 5 looks set to make landfall on Thursday. It is a very powerful typhoon.
Japanese story: 台風５号、２日に西日本上陸も　非常に強い勢力で北上

10. A 67 year old man, who was solo sailing his yacht from Palau to Japan, has disappeared.
Japanese story: 千葉の男性、ヨットで不明に　パラオから単独航行中