The top or most interesting stories in Japan from January 12.
– The Abe government is set to declare a ¥96 trillion budget for next financial year, up about ¥1 trillion from last year’s. This will perhaps paint a good picture for the stockmarkets as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attempts to address Japan’s deep financial troubles of debt and inflation with his ‘Abenomics’ plan. (The Japan Times, Japan News)
– The ruling bloc of Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the minor party, Komeito (NPK), will likely delay talks on controversial changes to the Japanese Constitution’s security laws in the Diet (Japanese Parliament). With local elections across the nation approaching, Komeito doesn’t want to lose any political capital by making changes to Japan’s Self Defence Force mobilisation restrictions.
– The leadership election inside Japan’s leading opposition group, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), has mainly narrowed between two of the three candidates according to the Yomiuri Shimbun.
– Data released from Japan’s National Policy Agency has deemed 2 million emergency calls it received as unsuitable, including someone seeking help with a clogged toilet.
– Some rowdiness was reported at yesterday’s ‘Seijin no Hi’ (Coming of Age Day) celebrations, with one police officer assaulted by a teenager amongst the hubbub.
For more on Seijin no Hi take a look at some photos I took yesterday or read up on it via the Wall Street Journal.
