Langley Esquire

Japan is preparing for the new year holidays and yet there seems to be no holidays in Japanese politics. Today, we are pleased to share the synopsis of the latest Japanese Politics One-on-One session. If you wish to have the synopsis delivered straight into your Inbox, please sign up for the free weekly newsletter of Langley Esquire at https://lnkd.in/gES5TKcv In the meantime, we continue our briefings: every Sunday morning at 8:20 am Tokyo time. #Japan #politics #publicpolicy #politicallife #politicaldecisions

If you missed our latest policy briefing on autonomous vehicles in Japan, it is available at https://lnkd.in/gga3GGzb Share your thoughts on the direction you believe Japan is moving with the adoption of these policy changes in the comments! #Japan #autonomousvehicles #policy #government

We are pleased to share the synopsis of the latest Japanese Politics One-on-One briefing and let you know that we will continue to deliver the briefings as usual during the holiday season: every Sunday at 8:20 am Tokyo time. Please stay tuned! #Japan #politics #publicpolicy #defense #economy

As Japan's digital revolution continues and the government is looking to diversify and stabilize its energy supply, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) is updating the country's Strategic Energy Plan (SEP) for the first time since 2021. The SEP, Japan’s key guide for energy policy, sets targets for greenhouse gas reductions and the future energy mix. The new version, expected in early 2025, marks a shift in strategy. Unlike the 2021 plan, which predicted a gradual drop in electricity demand, the 2025 plan will account for rising power needs. A major change is Japan’s approach to nuclear energy. After a 2023 policy shift allowed energy companies to extend the life of their reactors from 40 to beyond 60 years, the new SEP is expected to include plans for new nuclear reactor projects, which is the first mention of such projects since the 2011 Fukushima disaster. In addition to nuclear, Japan will continue to expand renewable energy sources like wind and geothermal power. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is expected to remain a key energy source as Japan sees it as a reliable option to meet its energy needs. The 2025 SEP could open new opportunities for energy companies from more mature markets, as Japan, which is the third largest energy market behind the USA and the UK, continues to expand its energy needs. --- The team of Langley Esquire provides government relations services to businesses interested in entering and/or working in the Japanese market. We offer customized briefings for executive boards, and political and business leaders visiting Japan. If you are considering one for your team, give us a call! #Japan #publicpolicy #energy #energysecurity #strategy Photo credit: Markus Distelrath at Pixabay 2024/12/18

As the Extraordinary Diet session continues, the supplementary budget just passed for immediate implementation while the political reform bills are being hotly deliberated… unlikely to be passed by the end of the session (Saturday 21st!). To everybody who follows the Japanese Politics One-on-One briefings, we are pleased to offer the synopsis of the 200th episode below. To stay informed, we invite you to tune in this coming Sunday, December 15, at 8:20 am JST either on LinkedIn or on YouTube (links in the comments). #Japan #politics #publicpolicy for #business

Over the past 10 years, Japan has developed laws and regulations to support autonomous driving alongside technological advancements. With the enforcement of the revised Road Traffic Act, Japan permitted Level 3 autonomous driving in 2020 and Level 4 in 2023, allowing for the trial use of autonomous buses and taxis. This Thursday, we will focus on Japan’s initiatives for autonomous vehicles and provide insights into how the Japanese government plans to address the future implementation of autonomous vehicles. Join us at 12:00 PM Tokyo time to learn about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead! #japan #government #public #policy #autonomousvehicles

The team of Langley Esquire is pleased to share the synopsis of the 199th episode of Japanese Politics One-on-One with Timothy Langley. If you have any questions, please let us know in the comments and join us in the 200th episode coming up this Sunday, December 8th, at 8:20 am Tokyo time! (Links are available in the comments.) #Japan #japanese #politics #publicpolicy #economy #defense

The minority coalition government of the LDP and Komeito is currently experiencing its first Diet deliberations. With the chair of the Budget Committee lost to the opposition, the ruling bloc is likely to experience difficulties in having the supplementary budget approved. Since the opening of the current 216th Extraordinary session, opposition parties have submitted several bills, which include the bill for increasing the non-taxable personal income (DPFP), the Bill to amend the Political Funds Control Law (JCP) and the Bill to repeal Political Party Subsidy Law (JCP). This Diet session is expected to be an indicator of how future deliberations will be conducted and what the impact of the opposition might be on both government decisions and policy-making. #Japan #politics #publicpolicy

Constitutionally, Japan cannot produce and export offensive weapons. However, the country wants to build its own defense industry capabilities. Is this the first step towards developing Japan's military industrial complex? defense industrial capacity. One way or the other, are we going to see the formation of an ASEAN NATO? #Japan #defense #industry 2024/12/4 https://lnkd.in/gtNzX4UE