17 h. ago Italian premier Giorgia Meloni bonds with fellow female leader Sanae Takaichi of Japan over birthday cake, selfies and a deep love of Margaret Thatcher

The two leaders bonded over birthday cake, selfies and a shared admiration for Margaret Thatcher during their first extended talks since Takaichi took office last autumn.

Politics

4 d. ago Japan’s Takaichi poised to call snap election just 4 months after taking office

Prime minister seeking to capitalise on strong approval rating to boost her party’s seat tally

Politics

1 week ago China announces another new trade measure against Japan as tensions rise

China has escalated its trade tensions with Japan by launching an investigation into imported dichlorosilane, a chemical gas used in making semiconductors

Events

2 w. ago Japan PM Sanae Takaichi joins women lawmakers to press for more toilets in parliament

Cross-party petition highlights how historic legislature lags behind growing female presence

Politics

2 w. ago Female MPs in Japan seek to flush out sexism with call for more toilets

PM Sanae Takaichi joins petition asking for better facilities for women to match improved representationNearly 60 female lawmakers in Japan, including the prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, have submitted a petition calling for more toilets in the parliament building for women to match their improved representation.Japanese politics remains hugely male-dominated, although the number of women in the parliament rose at the last election – and Takaichi became the first female prime minister in October. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Two cubicles, 73 women, one long queue: Japan’s female MPs fight for more loos

PM Sanae Takaichi joins petition asking for better facilities for women to match improved representationNearly 60 female lawmakers in Japan, including the prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, have submitted a petition calling for more toilets in the parliament building for women to match their improved representation.Japanese politics remains hugely male-dominated, although the number of women in the parliament rose at the last election – and Takaichi became the first female prime minister in October. This is reflected by there being only one lavatory containing two cubicles for the lower house’s 73 women to use near the Diet’s main plenary session hall in central Tokyo. Continue reading...

Politics