Shii condemns deadly terror attack in Dhaka

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo condemned a terrorist attack in Dhaka that killed 20 people, including 7 Japanese nationals. He said that political and diplomatic approaches are essential to combat acts of terrorism.

Abe’s policy to have public pension fund buy more stocks causes huge loss

Japan’s national pension fund, the GPIF, posted a loss of more than 5 trillion yen in FY2015. Prime Minister Abe Shinzo should be blamed for causing such a huge loss as he had the GPIF increase its stock investment with the aim of boosting the stock market.

Defense Ministry discusses ‘economic conscription’

The government is discussing the creation of a scholarship program which requires grant recipients to join the Self-Defense Forces. This move is a kind of “economic conscription” targeting university students struggling with heavy financial burdens.