By , TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, under fire for rejecting six scholars for membership of a science advisory panel, defended the move on Monday amid growing criticism that it violated the constitution’s principle of academic freedom.Suga, who took office last month after Shinzo Abe resigned, has enjoyed high support among voters who approve of his promises to deregulate, reduce mobile phone rates and digitalise services as he tries to revive the economy and rein in COVID-19.But his rejection of the six candidates - some of them known for past criticism of Abe’s...…By , TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, under fire for rejecting six scholars for membership of a science advisory panel, defended the move on Monday amid growing criticism that it violated the constitution’s principle of academic freedom.Suga, who took office last month after Shinzo Abe resigned, has enjoyed high support among voters who approve of his promises to deregulate, reduce mobile phone rates and digitalise services as he tries to revive the economy and rein in COVID-19.But his rejection of the six candidates - some of them known for past criticism of Abe’s...WW…

By , TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expanded a state of emergency to include the entire country on Thursday and said the government was considering cash payouts for all in an effort to stem the coronavirus outbreak and cushion the economic downturn.With more than 9,000 infections and nearly 200 deaths nationally, the government has declared an emergency in Tokyo and six areas including western Osaka, but other regions have sought to be added amid worries about the spreading virus.While short of a lockdown, the state of emergency imposed for a month from April 7 gave...…By , TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expanded a state of emergency to include the entire country on Thursday and said the government was considering cash payouts for all in an effort to stem the coronavirus outbreak and cushion the economic downturn.With more than 9,000 infections and nearly 200 deaths nationally, the government has declared an emergency in Tokyo and six areas including western Osaka, but other regions have sought to be added amid worries about the spreading virus.While short of a lockdown, the state of emergency imposed for a month from April 7 gave...WW…

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comTOKYO, April 22 (Reuters) - Japan on Thursday nearly doubled its target for cutting carbon emissions, responding to pressure from the United States and some of its own companies as world leaders met for a climate summit hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden.Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said Japan would aim for a 46% cutby 2030and look for ways to go even further. Its previous target was a 26% reduction from 2013 levels, a goal that activists had branded unambitious.Other countries also announced stronger action in the lead-up to the virtual...…Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comTOKYO, April 22 (Reuters) - Japan on Thursday nearly doubled its target for cutting carbon emissions, responding to pressure from the United States and some of its own companies as world leaders met for a climate summit hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden.Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said Japan would aim for a 46% cutby 2030and look for ways to go even further. Its previous target was a 26% reduction from 2013 levels, a goal that activists had branded unambitious.Other countries also announced stronger action in the lead-up to the virtual...WW…

By , TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga instructed his cabinet on Tuesday to compile a package of stimulus measures to revitalise an economy hit by the coronavirus pandemic, the country’s economy minister said.The package aims to cushion the blow from COVID-19, assist structural changes in the economy and boost productivity through digitalisation, Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura told a news conference after a regular cabinet meeting.“We’ll want to consider government spending that will attract private investment,” Nishimura said, adding the government will compile...…By , TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga instructed his cabinet on Tuesday to compile a package of stimulus measures to revitalise an economy hit by the coronavirus pandemic, the country’s economy minister said.The package aims to cushion the blow from COVID-19, assist structural changes in the economy and boost productivity through digitalisation, Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura told a news conference after a regular cabinet meeting.“We’ll want to consider government spending that will attract private investment,” Nishimura said, adding the government will compile...WW…