Yoshihiko Noda

Japan to elect seventh PM in six years on 16 December

Japan is set to dissolve parliament's lower house on Friday for a December 16 election that is likely to return the long-dominant Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to power with a conservative former prime minister at the helm.

Japan PM ready to dissolve parliament on 16 November

Noda has been under growing pressure to cut it short since August when he promised opposition parties to call "soon" an election that his party looks certain to lose.

Japan PM hints at a nuclear-free energy policy

Japan's prime minister has hinted that the government will announce it will eventually abandon nuclear energy when it issues its new energy policy this week. News reports say the premier and Cabinet ministers have already agreed to the new policy.

Japan, China leaders meet after tension over islands

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and Chinese President Hu Jintao met briefly on Sunday after weeks of tension over a territorial dispute

Japanese PM expected to announce November polls

Embattled Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has suggested to his main rival he will call an election for early November, media reported on Thursday, but with the opposition scenting victory it was unclear if he could wait that long.

Dozens quit Japan's ruling party in blow to PM

A powerful member of Japan's ruling party and dozens of his followers have decided to quit the group and will likely form their own rival bloc, dealing a blow to Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda.

Japan and Canada to sign FTA

Japan and Canada agreed Sunday to formally start talks aimed at forging a free trade agreement between the two countries.

Japan PM vows to bring 'rebirth' to Fukushima

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said authorities would work to decontaminate the region from radioactive fallout, while ensuring compensation and health checks for those affected by the disaster.

Japan to spend $2.85 bln in decontamination efforts

Japanese authorities have set aside $2.85 billion for decontamination efforts and have pledged to build a facility to store the radiation-tainted soil and rubble from Fukushima Prefecture before taking it to a final disposal site.

Not so popular or powerful: Japan PM faces many feuds

Noda was not the most popular of the candidates with the public nor did he have the strongest support base inside the party, which remains divided by personal feuds and policy disputes two years after sweeping to power with promises to change how Japan is governed.