Suga Marks One Month In Office

Suga marks one month in office

Japan's Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has pledged to tackle key issues as he marks his first month in office on Friday.

Suga told reporters it has been a month since he formed a Cabinet that works for the people, and he feels time has passed very quickly. He added that he is always mindful of carrying out what should be done with a sense of speed, and without hesitation.

Suga To Visit Vietnam, Indonesia Next Week

Suga to visit Vietnam, Indonesia next week

Japan's Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide plans to visit Vietnam and Indonesia next week on his first trip abroad since assuming his post.

Government officials are arranging for Suga to meet Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Indonesian President Joko Widodo during his four-day trip, starting on Sunday.

Suga Cabinet Approval Rate Drops 7 Points To 55%

Suga Cabinet approval rate drops 7 points to 55%

An NHK opinion poll shows that the approval rating for Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide's Cabinet has dropped 7 points to 55 percent. The disapproval rating has risen 7 points to 20 percent.

NHK telephoned 2,236 randomly chosen people aged 18 or older over a three-day period starting on Friday. Fifty-seven percent, or 1,284 people, responded.

Suga Explains More On Science Council Rejections

Suga explains more on Science Council rejections

Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has explained more about the government's decision last week to reject six candidates for the Science Council.

On Friday, he said a list of nominees he received did not include those who were rejected. He stressed the procedure has been completed, and that he does not intend to reconsider.

Suga, Pompeo Discuss Japan-us Ties

Suga, Pompeo discuss Japan-US ties

Japan's Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has met with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. It's Suga's first face-to-face diplomacy since taking office.

The two are believed to have confirmed efforts to further strengthen the Japan-US alliance.

Suga Defends Refusal To Appoint Scholars

Suga defends refusal to appoint scholars

Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has defended his decision not to appoint six scholars as members of Japan's leading academic body, a move which has drawn criticism from opposition parties.

Suga spoke to reporters on Monday about the refusal to appoint six nominees to the Science Council of Japan, the first such move since the current nomination scheme began in fiscal 2004.

Science Council To Urge Suga To Approve Nominees

Science Council to urge Suga to approve nominees

The Science Council of Japan has decided to ask Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide to explain why he refused to appoint six people as new members of the leading academic body, and renew its request for their appointment.

The council is designated as a special organization under the jurisdiction of the prime minister, but makes policy proposals independently from the government.

Suga Rejects 6 As New Science Council Members

Suga rejects 6 as new science council members

Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has refused to appoint six nominees as new members of a leading organization of Japanese scientists, prompting a call for the move to be retracted.

The Science Council of Japan is designated as a special organization under the jurisdiction of the prime minister. It makes policy proposals, independent from the government.

Suga May Visit Vietnam, Indonesia In Mid-october

Suga may visit Vietnam, Indonesia in mid-October

NHK has learned Japan's Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide may visit Vietnam and Indonesia in mid-October if coronavirus situations allow. It would be his first overseas trip after taking office.

Recent infection curves have been relatively stable in the two nations. If Suga visits them, he is expected to meet Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

Suga Tells Putin They Should End Territorial Issue

Suga tells Putin they should end territorial issue

Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has proposed resolving a bilateral territorial issue with Russia without leaving it to the next generation.

He made the proposal to Russian President Vladimir Putin as the leaders held their first talks by telephone on Tuesday.

Suga Meets Abductee Families For First Time As Pm

Suga meets abductee families for first time as PM

Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has vowed to relatives of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea that he will spearhead efforts to bring their loved ones home.

Suga met with the families of abductees at the prime minister's office on Tuesday, for the first time since he assumed the post earlier this month.

Chinese Fm To Visit Japan, May Meet Suga

Chinese FM to visit Japan, may meet Suga

NHK has learned that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is expected to visit Japan as early as next month to meet his Japanese counterpart, Motegi Toshimitsu.

A meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide is also being arranged. It would be Suga's first face-to-face talks with a senior Chinese official since assuming the post.

Suga Visits Fukushima Prefecture

Suga visits Fukushima Prefecture

Japan's Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has vowed that the government will do its utmost to support the recovery of the areas hit hard by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Suga visited Fukushima Prefecture on Saturday to inspect the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant and other sites. It was his first regional visit since assuming the post.