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The article discusses the role of social media in the global controversy over the annual dolphin hunt that takes place in the fishing village of Taiji, Japan, a tradition made widely known after the 2009 documentary "The Cove." Topics include the alleged harassment of Taiji residents by anti-whaling advocates, the campaign to stop the hunt on social media website Twitter, and the economic impact the controversy has had on Taiji.

The article focuses on Japan's prime minister, Yukio Hatoyama, expected to address the United Nations on making the world free of nuclear weapons. Hatoyama is described as a centrist leader in the model of former U.S. President Bill Clinton. His belief in fraternal love or yuai is said to form the underpinnings of his foreign policy.

The article presents a history of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party, which was founded in 1956, has ruled Japan since its inception and may be replaced in 2009 by the Democratic Party of Japan. The role that Japanese politician Junichiro Koizumi played in the decline of the Liberal Democratic Party is discussed.

The article examines the potential for the head of political power within the nation of North Korea to be transferred from ruler Kim Jong Il to one of his three sons. The author examines the Western proclivities of Jong’s sons, who are named Kim Jong Nam, Kim Jong Chul, and Kim Jong Un, and attests that none of them seem prepared to lead the nation.

The article examines the sport of sumo wrestling in Japan current during February 2011. A number of topics are addressed including the corruption and match fixing that has characterized the sport, an earlier scandal in which involved betting on the sumo matches, and the actions of the Japan Sumo Association.

The article discusses Ichiro Ozawa's candidacy for Prime Minister in Japan.

The article reports that North Korea has shown signs of a greater willingness to negotiate with South Korea over their differences.

The article discusses the political philosophy of Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan.

The article discusses the resignation of Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama

The article discusses tense relations between North Korea and South Korea, occasioned by the North's sinking of a South Korean naval vessel. Despite belligerent talk from the North, there are reasons to believe North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il may prefer to de-escalate the situation. South Korean president Lee Myung-bak has specified terms for resolving the dispute.

The article focuses on the generosity of Japan and a report by the Center for Global Development (CGD) on the contributions of various countries to foreign aid. The report found that Japan's foreign aid budget is 0.18 percent of its gross national income. The article reports that Japan will give $5 billion to Afghanistan over the next five years.

The article examines the ways in which electoral victories for Japan’s Democratic Party may impact relations between the nation and the U.S. The party’s economic policies emphasize social welfare, which has made some U.S. officials fear that the country is moving toward communism. The author urges that Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama is a supporter of the U.S. who will promote the liberalization of trade and investment.

The article examines the role of the Democratic Party of Japan within the nation’s September 2009 elections. Projections show that the party will win two-thirds of the Japanese parliament and effectively end the 54-year reign of the Liberal Democratic Party. However, the author urges that this will not last, as most Japanese are voting merely to oppose the Liberal Democratic Party.

The article looks at the lack of nuclear weaponry possessed by Japan. A survey has shown that less than 20 percent of Japan's population supports the possession of nuclear weapons. Problems related to the development of such weapons are discussed, including a lack of test space and damaged relations with the United States.

The article reports on the economic development of North Korea. North Korea has modified its infrastructure, created mining facilities, and is in commercial and diplomatic relations with over 150 countries. Illicit activities like weapons trading and drug trafficking only account for some $100 million of North Korea's annual revenue.

The article discusses Japanese politician Ichiro Ozawa. In 2010 he is challenging incumbent Naoto Kan to become Prime Minister of Japan. Ozawa has been influential in Japanese politics for 20 years. A book he wrote in 1993, "Blueprint for a New Japan," called for several reforms including an end to unnecessary government spending and greater accountability for elected officials.

An article is presented that discusses Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan and how he will affect Japan's politics following his 2010 election. The article discusses Kan's background in the Democratic Party of Japan (DJP), noting that he is a self-made politician but that he might not be the risk-taker that the country needs. Information is provided on his views towards the Japanese ruling class, his opportunism, and his political philosophy.

This article describes the reasons why the author believes that Japan will not pursue the development of nuclear weapons in response to the posturing of North Korea. Although some Japanese politicians including Goji Sakamoto, Shoichi Nakagawa, and Taro Aso have called for debate over nuclear armaments, nuclear weapons programs remain unpopular. The importance of the nuclear nonproliferation treaty, upon which Japan relies for its supply of civilian uranium, is noted.

The article reports that South Korea and Japan are focusing their love-hate conflict on a cluster of volcanic outcrops known as Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in Korea in the Sea of Japan, about 210 kilometers across the water from either of their islands. In the minds of Japan and South Korea, Takeshima and Dokdo have grown larger enough to encompass decades of conflict. Falling-out is reportedly a cause for concern not only in Seoul and Tokyo but in the U.S. as well.

The article discusses the efforts of Fukushima 50, a group of workers at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear-power plant in Japan who stayed behind to deal with the crisis. According to the article, the workers who risked their lives remain faceless and nameless a year after the tsunami in March 2011. The firsthand account of the fear and courage of these workers are discussed as well as what they consider unsafe practices during the initial stage of recovery effort.

The article discusses the economic and political condition of Japan after the entry of its new prime minister Yoshihiko Noda and the natural disasters that happened in 2011. Noda is the former finance minister who came in after two past prime ministers were kicked out of office due to scandal and incompetence. Though some don't see him as a strong and bold enough leader, the article states that he is a competent technocrat who just might be able to speed up Japan's recovery and unify his party.

The article discusses the international implications of North Korea's surprise attack on Yeonpyeong, a South Korean outpost, in November 2010. It notes that such attack marks the first time that civilians have been targeted and killed since the end of the war more than 50 years ago. It speculates that the attack may indicate the shift toward a hardline policy in North Korea. It cites that the U.S. is adopting a wait-and-see attitude, while China is said to be growing increasingly exasperated with North Korea.

The article reports on the battle between Prime Minister Naoto Kan and former Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) chief Ichiro Ozawa for party leadership on September 14, 2010. According to the author, the ruling vision of DPJ will depend on Kan's image of clean politics and bottom-up decision making or Ozawa's principles and top-down leadership. He adds that both Kan and Ozawa are criticizing each other in a bid to win the election. He also mentions that Kan has an edge over Ozawa with 80 percent of Japanese who favor Kan.

The article discusses the threat made by North Korean leader Kim Jong-il about a retaliatory sacred war in response to the joint U.S. and South Korean naval exercises.

The article discusses Japan's prime minister Naoto Kan and political jeopardy he faces for being blamed by Japan's Democratic Party members for the party's loss of control of the Upper House of Parliament.

The article discusses the impact of the Japanese news media on the resignation of Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama.

The article discusses attempts by North Korea to reconcile political differences with South Korea, following a North Korean attack on the South Korean warship Cheonan. Topics include an overview of the diplomatic measures taken by North Korean leader Kim Jong-il to resolve inter-Korean conflict, including complying to the demand by South Korean President Lee Myung-bak that Jong-il apologize and punish those responsible for the attack.

The article discusses the impact that scandals have had on politicians in Japan. Topics discussed in the article include the impact that a political funding scandal has had on Yukio Hatoyama, the prime minister of Japan, the impact that Japan's interest in scandals has had on its politicians and past Japanese leaders who have been impacted by scandals, including former Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka.

This article presents information about the foreign relations between Japan and the United States. Some speculate that relations are strained because of Japan's opposition to a U.S. airbase in a densely populated section of Japan. The article notes that the two countries agree on many other more important issues, such as cooperation over North Korean policy and the fundamentals of their security alliance.

The author reports on steps that China and the U.S. are taking to normalize relations with North Korea, such as offering economic assistance if they agree to discuss disarming their nuclear weapon program.

The article discusses politics and government in Japan. The opposition Democratic Party of Japan is forecast to score a victory in national elections to be held August 30, 2009. The party's reliance on relatively inexperienced political candidates is examined. It is noted that former party leader Ichiro Ozawa has founded three other political parties, all of which have failed.

This article discusses the political position of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), which is the leading opposition party in that country's Parliament. Although the DPJ under Yukio Hatoyama is likely to win 2009 parliamentary elections, the author is skeptical about their ability to bring political change to Japan. The similarities between the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the DPJ policies on corruption, budget cuts, and foreign policy are considered.

This article discusses how North Korea manages to finance the acquisition of nuclear weapons. The author argues that investment in North Korea is continuing and economic development is occurring in that country despite sanctions. Investments made by the North Korean government in Great Britain and the U.S. are considered. The participation of companies including the energy firm Aminex PLC and governments including China and Singapore in the North Korean economy is noted.

The article discusses North Korea's artillery attack on South Korea's Yeonpyeong Island, and its likely indication of a policy shift in Pyongyang rather than a more typical North Korean negotiating ploy or extortion tactic. The background of the attack is discussed and the U.S. decision to send its aircraft carrier USS Washington to South Korean waters is explained.