TOKYO – Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has launched a two-week campaign, starting Thursday, to choose a successor to outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Nine candidates are in the running, each aiming to restore public confidence following a political funds scandal.

TOKYO – Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki has strongly criticized the Japanese national government for withholding information from the Okinawan prefectural government about recent sexual assaults involving U.S. military personnel, citing concerns over protecting victims’ privacy.

TOKYO – Japan’s criminal justice system is once again under scrutiny, with renewed calls from victims and critics for reform and the abolition of its reliance on “hostage justice.”

TOKYO – The Association of Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea supports Japan’s humanitarian aid and lifting of sanctions on Pyongyang, but demands the safe return of all abducted Japanese nationals while their parents are still alive.