IN THE NEWS MARCH - APRIL March 13
March 31
Despite Japan’s strong anti-nuclear weapons stance as the only country to have experienced atomic bombings, it decides against supporting an Austrian initiative in the U.N. to eliminate nuclear weapons, as doing so would present a conflict of interest with Japan’s nuclear protection from the United States. (Source) March 17 Japan’s central bank governor Haruhiko Kuroda announces that inflation has come to a halt, possibly resulting in Japan’s economy again detrimentally experiencing deflation. (Source) March 19 U.N. World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai adopts seven goals designed to lessen the risks of environmental disasters and climate change, but the lack of “specific numerical targets” draws criticism. (Source, Source) March 23 New Okinawa governor Takeshi Onaga demands that the central government stop work on a new airfield, provoking long-existing tensions. The airfield has already been delayed for years by public opposition and environmental concerns, but is intended to relieve military burdens on other areas of Okinawa. However, Governor Onaga and his supporters want the base entirely removed. (Source)
MAY 2015
Japan extends its trade embargo and other sanctions against North Korea to 2017, due to North Korea’s lack of results in its reinvestigation into abducted Japanese citizens. (Source) March 31 Supporting its U.S. ally, Japan decides not to become a founding member of the new Chinese-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, which the U.S. regards as a “challenge to American-led institutions like the World Bank.” Japan’s ongoing confrontations with China and its resulting desire to strengthen ties with the U.S. also influenced leaders’ decision. (Source) March 31 Shibuya becomes first district in Japan to “recognize same-sex partnerships as the ‘equivalent of marriage,’” though the equal rights granted to same-sex couples are currently applicable only in that area. (Source)
NEWS & EVENTS
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