The ruling Liberal Democratic Party began questioning member lawmakers about a high-profile money scandal involving LDP factions, but there was little sense it is serious about muckraking in its own backyard.
Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa on Jan. 30 took the high road in responding to the sexist remarks former Prime Minister Taro Aso made about her appearance.
Yuichiro Tamaki, 54, was re-elected as leader of the opposition Democratic Party for the People (DPP) after defeating his only rival, Seiji Maehara, 61, the party’s acting head.
Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party) sacked a lawmaker from the Upper House Committee on Judicial Affairs after she came under fire for suggesting a Sri Lankan woman who died in an immigration detention center might have faked her illness.
Two men who said they were molested when they were members of talent agency Johnny & Associates Inc. urged opposition lawmakers to introduce legislation that better protects minors from sexual predators.