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Robert Nordström (PhD)

@rnords.bsky.social
2.7K followers 6K following 606 posts

Assistant Professor (non-tenured) at Waseda University. Discussing politics and social issues in Japan. Posts are my own views. He/him🌈 EN/日本語/SWE/FI website: robertnordstrom.jp

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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 7h
Japan’s four major beer producers under investigation for price fixing. ビール大手4社がカルテルか 公取委が強制調査、刑事告発も視野 - 毎日新聞 mainichi.jp/articles/202...
mainichi.jp
ビール大手4社がカルテルか 公取委が強制調査、刑事告発も視野 | 毎日新聞
市販用ビール類の販売価格を巡りカルテルを結んだ独占禁止法違反(不当な取引制限)の疑いがあるとして、公正取引委員会は7日、国内のビール大手4社に独禁法の犯則調査権に基づく強制調査に入った。価格カルテルの疑いでビール大手各社に強制調査をするのは初めて。関係者への取材で判明した。
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
New agriculture minister Yana Kazuo refuses to apologize for past homophobic remarks, saying they occurred during ”private gathering” and that he couldn’t comment on them. In may of 2021, he said sexual minorities were ”unnatural” and ”threat to the human species” digital.asahi.com/articles/ASV...
digital.asahi.com
簗農水相、性的少数者「種の保存に反する」発言に「非公開」と答えず:朝日新聞
簗和生農林水産相は18日の就任会見で、過去にLGBTなど性的少数者をめぐり、「自然に反する」という趣旨の発言をしたことへの認識について「公の場での発言は差し控える」と回答を避けた。 簗氏は2021年…
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Japanese government says it will provide "support" if needed for Japanese national ICC president Akane Tomoko after she was hit by US sanctions. J-govt has been quite hesitant to make strong comments on case, prob. to avoid upsetting Trump. digital.asahi.com/articles/ASV...
digital.asahi.com
木原官房長官「赤根氏とは連絡、必要あれば支援」、ICC制裁めぐり:朝日新聞
国際刑事裁判所(ICC)の赤根智子所長が米国のトランプ政権から制裁対象に指定されたことに関し、木原稔官房長官は24日の記者会見で「赤根氏とは連絡を取り合っており、必要な支援があればしっかり行っていく…
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
UN General Secretary Guterres and the EU issued voices of concern after the US put sanctions on ICC president Akane Tomoko (who is a former Japanese public prosecutor). PM Takaichi also called the move "regrettable", but avoided criticizing the US government. digital.asahi.com/articles/ASV...
digital.asahi.com
米国が制裁強化したICCに、欧州から連帯の声「安全な世界に貢献」:朝日新聞
米国のトランプ政権が国際刑事裁判所(ICC、オランダ・ハーグ)の赤根智子所長らを制裁対象に指定したことに対し、国際社会からICCへの支持や連帯を表す声が上がっている。 国連のグテーレス事務総長は19…
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Japan executed a death row inmate on August 21st. This was the first execution of 2026, the Japanese Ministry of Justice reports. Don't forget that Japan still uses the death penalty. digital.asahi.com/articles/ASV...
digital.asahi.com
1人の死刑を執行、1年2カ月ぶり 大阪市のパチンコ店放火5人殺害:朝日新聞
法務省は21日午前、2009年に大阪市此花区のパチンコ店に放火して5人を殺害し、殺人などの罪で死刑が確定した高見素直(すなお)死刑囚(58)の刑を執行した。死刑執行は25年6月以来、1年2カ月ぶりで…
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Reposted by Robert Nordström (PhD)
Research & Politics @respol.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
@rnords.bsky.social, Sou Shinomoto & Antonio Benasaglio Berlucchi show that court rulings on same-sex marriage in Japan can shift public attitudes when citizens are reminded of them, even if their effects are limited in everyday settings. Read more here: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
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Reposted by Robert Nordström (PhD)
Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Publication alert! Newly published paper from @respol.bsky.social . In this new paper, we used a survey experiment to examine effect of Nagoya High Court same-sex marriage ruling effect on Japanese LGBTQ attitudes. journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com
From the courtroom to the public: Judicial influence on People’s attitudes toward same-sex marriage in Japan - Robert Nordström, Sou Shinomoto, Antonio Benasaglio Berlucchi, 2026
Can judicial action change public attitudes? While most empirical studies on the societal impact of court rulings have focused on the United States, particularl...
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Reposted by Robert Nordström (PhD)
Klara Müller @klaramueller.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
📢 New paper out in @electoralstudies.bsky.social (w/ @aleferna.bsky.social)! Asking how a snap election call affects vote choice (un)certainty, we find that they tend to increase voters’ confidence in their vote intentions. The longer answer: 🧵👇 OA here: doi.org/10.1016/j.el...
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Funny how Ishiba cabinet got it to 139 to the dollar without any large scale intervention, but Katayama can’t keep it afloat even with US buying up billions and billions lol
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Foreigners represent about 3% of the total population, so the proportion of foreigners in the Japanese prisons is somewhat higher than their overall proportion. Not close to 25 %, considering that many foreigners have lower income, the difference to Japanese population becomes even smaller
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Fuchu prison is a designated to deal with prisoners who are unable to communicate well in Japanese, which is why many foreign prisoners have ended up spending their sentences there. The overall proportion of foreign prisoners in Japan is 1-in-14 (7.1%).
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Migration minister Onoda said earlier this month after visiting Fuchu prison that 1-in-4 prisoners are foreigners, and that foreigners crimes need to be punished more harshly. She omitted that the 1-in-4 number was correct only for that specific prison… digital.asahi.com/articles/ASV...
digital.asahi.com
「受刑者の4人に1人が外国人」 誤った数字が拡散し外国人排斥に:朝日新聞
全国の受刑者の「約4人に1人が外国人」であるかのような言説がSNSで広がっている。だが、実際は約14人に1人。小野田紀美・外国人政策担当相が7月下旬に府中刑務所(東京都府中市)を視察した際の感想とし…
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
BTW, open access.
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
However, this effect can only be said to be weakly supported, as significant effects could only be seen among those respondents who were explicitly told of the result of the ruling. Still, it is meaningful in seeing how these rulings can influence Japanese attitudes.
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Since the publics attitudes moved in the same direction as the ruling, we interpreted this as supporting the so-called "legitimization" model that court decisions can help legitimize opinions on matters where public attitudes are split.
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
The survey was conducted from 48 hours before the ruling to 48 hours after the ruling, comparing the responses from respondents who answered before and after the survey. The result of the ruling was that the current ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional.
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
In the paper, we used a mixed natural setting and experimental treatment approach. The natural setting had little effect, but then the results of the ruling was directly was directly communicated to respondents, this increased support for same-sex marriage.
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Publication alert! Newly published paper from @respol.bsky.social . In this new paper, we used a survey experiment to examine effect of Nagoya High Court same-sex marriage ruling effect on Japanese LGBTQ attitudes. journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com
From the courtroom to the public: Judicial influence on People’s attitudes toward same-sex marriage in Japan - Robert Nordström, Sou Shinomoto, Antonio Benasaglio Berlucchi, 2026
Can judicial action change public attitudes? While most empirical studies on the societal impact of court rulings have focused on the United States, particularl...
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Reposted by Robert Nordström (PhD)
地平社 @chiheisha.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
「小さな動き集まれば」 同性カップルが婚姻届、市長は受理意向 | 毎日新聞 mainichi.jp/articles/202... 〈稲森市長が「憲法違反の事務を自治体に強いるのはあり得ない。何としても受理したい」という意向を示したのに対し、2人は「心強い」と応えた〉
mainichi.jp
「小さな動き集まれば」 同性カップルが婚姻届、市長は受理意向 | 毎日新聞
三重県伊賀市に住む同性カップルの嶋田全宏さん(50)と加納克典さん(46)が4日午後、婚姻届を市役所に提出した。市は法務局に照会するとして、婚姻届を預かった。提出前に2人と面談した稲森稔尚市長は「受理したいと思う」と述べた。
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
The 4.79 million number is the only one I've seen in media, but you might be right that this is for combined household. In the last few days news, they seem to not report any definitive monetary number, so I'm wondering whether the current numbers are definitive...
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Reposted by Robert Nordström (PhD)
Amelie In Tokyo ✨ @amelieintokyo.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Exactly. I know I'm not the *primary* target, but I'm fill with utter disgust for what's happening. It's just so infuriating.
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
As it seems now, their position seems to be "if you are high-earning white with Japanese spouse, you'll be fine, otherwise gtfo". Even though I may fall into the above category, I want no part of this. Fuck them.
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Indeed, not to mention all the restaurant owners and factory workers who have sweated for tis country decades but probably will not reach the threshold. Seems they only want the labor but take no responsibility for these people when they get old and tired
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Reposted by Robert Nordström (PhD)
稲葉 剛 @inabatsuyoshi.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
永住外国人の「生活保護」回避狙った政府 許可要件の厳格化案を発表:朝日新聞 digital.asahi.com/articles/ASV... 低賃金の「労働力」は欲しいが、その人たちが低年金の高齢者になる前に追い出してしまおうという政府。この国は排外主義に突き進んでいます。 8月6日 10:47まで全文お読みいただけます
digital.asahi.com
永住外国人の「生活保護」回避狙った政府 許可要件の厳格化案を発表:朝日新聞
出入国在留管理庁は4日、外国人の永住許可ガイドラインの改定案を発表した。日本人世帯の平均を上回る年収水準や、その年収で厚生年金に30年加入していた場合の年金受給見込み額を求めることなどが柱だ。異例の…
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Of course, this is not to mention all of those foreigners who do low-paying but extremely important work for Japanese society, if the income condition is indeed 4.7 million JPY as it seems as of now, these people will almost certainly not be eligible for PR.
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
While I never have had high expectations of Japan immigration, this very much feels like a betrayal to us who have been here for a while, expecting to get PR when reaching certain conditions. Under the new rules, even academics such as I may have difficulty reaching the income condition.
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
The minister in charge of the reform, Onoda Kimi, has a history of making xenophobic remarks, at one point saying on twitter (X) that "foreigners who can no longer support themselves must go back to their country (自活できない外国人は帰国が当然)". The strictness of reform seems to be much her doing.
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
According to the new rules for permanent residency in Japan, foreigners must earn "more than the average Japanese" to be eligible. In addition, foreigners will not be eligible for social assistance (生活保護), even if they are permanent residents. digital.asahi.com/articles/DA3...
digital.asahi.com
永住厳格化、矛先は外国人生活保護 許可ガイドライン改定案:朝日新聞
出入国在留管理庁は4日、外国人の永住許可ガイドラインの改定案を発表した。日本人世帯の平均を上回る年収水準や、その年収で厚生年金に30年加入していた場合の年金受給見込み額を求めることなどが柱だ。異例の…
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
The number of written parliamentary questions during this Diet has dropped 90 percent from the last Diet, thus weakening parliamentary oversight. The reason is the reduced number of opposition members after the main opposition was thrashed in this years election.
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Trump says “Japan asked for help”, when commenting the joint US-Japan intervention to strengthen the weak yen. The yen still remains much much weaker than a year ago under Ishiba, and it is unclear whether current intervention will have a lasting effect. digital.asahi.com/articles/ASV...
digital.asahi.com
トランプ氏、日本は「助けを必要としていた」 日米協調為替介入巡り:朝日新聞
日本と米国が円安を是正するために協調して為替介入をした対ドル円相場を巡り、トランプ米大統領は2日、日本が「少し助けを必要としていた」と話した。日米両政府は、2011年以来となる協調介入を実施し、円相…
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Reposted by Robert Nordström (PhD)
Stephen Wild @stephenjwild.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
What
Survey participants were given a random subset of countries and country attributes to consider. The combinations were presented in a grid form where participants were prompted to associate countries with various characteristics. If a participant indicated they had not heard of a country, it was removed from their survey. 
Each participant considered about half of the country attributes for roughly a third of the countries. The more times an attribute-
country pair was checked off, the higher the attribute score was for that country.
In addition to considering countries in terms of attributes, each survey participant was asked to respond to a set of questions 
gauging perceptions of the state of the world today on a variety of topics, including world events, the economy, the environment, technology, leadership and social issues.
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
The Japanese government barely managed to force its bill on the creation of a "secondary capital city" through the Upper House with a margin of only two votes (123 for, 121 against). The government parties (LDP and Ishin) only got the minor Mirai party to join them. news.web.nhk/newsweb/na/n...
news.web.nhk
「副首都」構想関連法が成立 自民・維新・みらいなど賛成 | NHKニュース
【NHK】大規模災害の際に首都の代替機能を担う「副首都」構想の関連法は、参議院本会議で採決が行われ、自民・維新両党とチームみらいなどの賛成多数で可決・成立しました。 「副首都」構想の関連法は、大規模災害が発
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
However, perhaps sleep deficiency, brain fog, and cognitive decline explains a lot about her politics ...
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Of course, considering her nationalistic and xenophobic instincts, this is quite a small thing but I find Takaichi's tendency to brag about her overwork is really silly. This time, the Prime Minister said she has become used to sleeping 0 -3 hours per night. digital.asahi.com/articles/ASV...
digital.asahi.com
高市首相「0~3時間睡眠が常態化」 Xに投稿、「明け方まで資料」:朝日新聞
高市早苗首相は20日夜、自身のX(旧ツイッター)に「久々に5時間も睡眠を取れた」とし、就任後は「0時間~3時間睡眠が常態化」などと投稿した。野党側からは、首相は、任せる仕事は(部下に)任せるべきだと…
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Reposted by Robert Nordström (PhD)
炎🔥の天使👼由紀@電動車椅子 WHILL @wttudf8uxfhmmde.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
高市内閣支持率が最低に 政権発足後 初の5割切り ANN世論調査|テレビ朝日 news.tv-asahi.co.jp/news_politic... 高市内閣の支持率が初めて5割を切り、不支持率は過去最高を記録。皇室典範改正案や女性天皇議論、食料品消費税軽減案についても調査結果が示された。
news.tv-asahi.co.jp
高市内閣支持率が最低に 政権発足後 初の5割切り ANN世論調査
ANNの世論調査で、高市内閣の支持率が政権発足以来、初めて5割を切りました。 ANNは18日、19日に世論調査を行いました。 高市内閣を「支持する」は先月から10.9ポイント減って49.2%で、「支
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Asahi indicates a similar drop, from 60 to 53p (7p drop since last month)
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Although Mainichi often tends to have quite low approval ratings overall compared to other polls, this fall is large. Also, other polls have shown similar trends this month Jiji 54 -> 49 (5p decrease) NHK 60 -> 58 (2p decrease) JX 56.0 -> 50.4 (5.6p decrease)
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
According to latest Mainichi opinion poll (July 18-19), disapproval for Takaichi cabinet exceeded approval for the first time (44p vs. 41p). Several polls have shown approval falling recently, and this poll showed a 10p drop in approval since last month. mainichi.jp/articles/202...
mainichi.jp
高市内閣支持率41% 不支持率が初めて上回る 毎日世論調査 | 毎日新聞
毎日新聞は18、19の両日、全国世論調査を実施した。高市早苗内閣の支持率は前回調査(6月20、21日)の51%から10ポイント下落して41%となり、2025年10月の内閣発足以来最低となった。不支持率は前回の35%から9ポイント増の44%となり、初めて不支持率が支持率を上回った。政府・与党は皇族数
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Japanese Electric Vehicle (EV) sales during the first half of 2026 more than doubled from the same period last year, with more than 59,000 new vehicles sold during this period. Still, EVs only account for around 3% of new car sales. news.web.nhk/newsweb/na/n...
news.web.nhk
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Satoko Kishimoto, the popular progressive mayor of Suginami in Tokyo, wins reelection against LDP-backed opponent. This despite Finance minister Katayama campaigning for her opponent in the district. Turnout was up 5 points from last time at 42.53 percent. digital.asahi.com/articles/ASV...
digital.asahi.com
【開票ライブ】杉並区長選、現職の岸本聡子氏当選確実 速報で解説:朝日新聞
東京都杉並区長選が29日に開票され、現職の岸本聡子氏(51)が、いずれも無所属で前区議の大和田伸氏(45)=自民推薦=、地域政党「再生の道」が推薦する国際ビジネスコンサルタントの増田義彦氏(68)、…
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Reposted by Robert Nordström (PhD)
三春充希(はる)⭐未来社会プロジェクト @miraisyakai.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
現職の岸本聡子さんに勢い 杉並区長選挙の情勢 29日朝から開票 www.tokyo-np.co.jp/article/498133
tokyo-np.co.jp
現職の岸本聡子さんに勢い 杉並区長選挙の情勢 29日朝から開票:東京新聞デジタル
東京都杉並区長選は、6月29日午前8時40分から開票が始まる。東京新聞は選挙期間中の22〜24日、期日前投票を済ませた有権者に投票先な...
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
In some good news from Japanese local politics, popular progressive mayor of Suginami district in Tokyo Satoko Kishimoto is strongly favored to be reelected in tonight’s election, beating LDP supported challenger. 杉並区長選は現職の岸本氏が優勢、自民推薦候補ら続く 朝日出口調査 digital.asahi.com/articles/ASV...
digital.asahi.com
杉並区長選は現職の岸本氏が優勢、自民推薦候補ら続く 朝日出口調査:朝日新聞
28日に投票された東京都杉並区長選で、朝日新聞社が出口調査を実施したところ、再選をめざす現職の岸本聡子氏が優勢で、前区議の大和田伸氏=自民党推薦=と前区長の田中良氏、国際ビジネスコンサルタントの増田…
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Old LDP-man Kohno Yohei is dead. For a long time one of the more moderate voices in the party, and one of the few LDP chairmen who never became Prime Minister, as he led the party after its fall from power in 1993. He was also father to Kohno Taro. RiP digital.asahi.com/articles/ASV...
digital.asahi.com
河野洋平氏が死去、89歳 自民党総裁や衆院議長など務める:朝日新聞
自民党総裁や衆院議長を務めた河野洋平(こうの・ようへい)さんが8日、死去した。89歳だった。関係者が明らかにした。 1937年、神奈川県平塚市生まれ。戦後政界の実力者・河野一郎元建設相の次男。外相を…
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Uploaded a new pre-print. This paper explores how legislative activity develops throughout legislative careers and whether senior legislators tend to start slacking off from legislative work. The paper focuses on Japanese prefectural assembly members. dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn...
dx.doi.org
Beyond Competition: Dominant Party Affiliation, Seniority, and Legislative Shirking in Committees
What motivates politicians to work harder? While electoral competition is often seen as the primary driver of legislative effort, this study explores the roles
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Not that much, the pattern is mostly constant across the analyzed assemblies, though some small variations exist.
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Uploaded a new pre-print. This paper explores how legislative activity develops throughout legislative careers and whether senior legislators tend to start slacking off from legislative work. The paper focuses on Japanese prefectural assembly members. dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn...
dx.doi.org
Beyond Competition: Dominant Party Affiliation, Seniority, and Legislative Shirking in Committees
What motivates politicians to work harder? While electoral competition is often seen as the primary driver of legislative effort, this study explores the roles
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
I know I usually don’t comment on US politics, but this is such a blatant infringement of democratic rights it’s terrible this is not covered more. All black lawmakers in Tennessee senate stripped from committee posts for opposing states racial gerrymander. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
democracydocket.com
Tennessee Republicans strip Democrats from committees after protesting anti-Black gerrymander
The move appears to punish the entire Democratic caucus for its resistance to the gerrymander and removes every Black elected official in the Tennessee legislature from the committees they served on.
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Reposted by Robert Nordström (PhD)
Elin McCready @elinm.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
I hope that at some point the courts stop kicking these issues down the road to the Diet, which has shown no inclination to move on them -- just the opposite. (In our own case, the court ruling seemed intended to kick the issue upstairs to a higher court, which didn't happen as we didn't appeal.)
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
With Supreme Court ruling on Same-sex marriage coming up, there are many interesting cases of judicial action in Japan atm.
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Robert Nordström (PhD) @rnords.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
The ruling is significant improvement over the ruling by Kyoto family court,who previously ruled on the same case that the Japanese laws basis on biological sex was ”necessary and rational(必要かつ合理的)”.
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