[Newly appointed Transport Minister Kazuyoshi] Kaneko took over the post earlier this week after his predecessor, Nariaki Nakayama, was forced to resign only four days into the job after making several verbal gaffes. Among Nakayama’s controversial statements was the assertion that Japan is “ethnically homogeneous.” Kaneko disavowed Nakayama’s controversial statement and acknowledged Japan’s growing ethnic…

The number of applicants for refugee status in the nation reached 1,015 as of early September, the most applications in one year since the system to grant asylums began in 1982, according to a nonprofit organization supporting the refugees. The Tokyo-based Japan Association for Refugees, which offers support to the applicants, said it was the…

Aso names Kaneko to take transport post Prime Minister Taro Aso’s Cabinet suffered a serious blow Sunday with the resignation of transport minister Nariaki Nakayama, who was under fire for several gaffes, including saying Japan is “ethnically homogenous.” Aso appointed former administrative reform minister Kazuyoshi Kaneko, 65, to succeed Nakayama. Kaneko, a seven-term representative from…

Transport minister Nariaki Nakayama stepped down Sunday after just five days on the job, amid mounting criticism of a series of controversial remarks, dealing a serious blow to the new administration of Prime Minister Taro Aso. Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) and other opposition parties, which had called for Nakayama’s resignation or dismissal, will hold…

Was he so overwhelmed at becoming a minister that he lost control of his tongue? On his second day as the new minister of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism, Nariaki Nakayama faced the media and let out a barrage of astounding verbal gaffes. On the topic of foreign visitors to Japan, and asked how he…

Construction and Transport Minister Nariaki Nakayama intends to resign from his post to take responsibility for a series of verbal gaffes he has made since his appointment last week, sources said Saturday. He likely will submit his resignation to Prime Minister Taro Aso on Sunday and Aso is likely to accept it, the sources said.…

Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism Minister Nariaki Nakayama has resigned to take responsibility for his controversial comments that included his assertion that the lack of progress on plans to expand Narita Airport could be blamed on local residents who held out against expansion for personal gain [and that Japan was an “ethnically homogeneous state.”]. His…