How exactly does the House of Councillors function? Host Timothy Langley and Michael Cucek discuss the inside baseball of Japan's governmental system in this episode!

In preparation of the coming elections, the main opposition party and the third biggest opposition parties - the DPJ and JIP - are set to merge. Will this attempt to consolidate power have any impact on the stronghold that has become the LDP? Host Timothy Langley and Michael Cucek take on the discussion.

Spring in Japan is always a great time for political scandals - which are soon forgotten under the beauty of the cherry blossoms... Nevertheless, Host Timothy Langley and advisors Michael Cucek and Dr. Nancy Snow discuss their favorite scandals currently in the news!

In light of the upcoming (or highly probable) double elections this summer, the Tokyo on Fire team discusses why the elections of Kyoto and Hokkaido are especially important to Shinzo Abe and his cabinet. More scandals? But of course!

The Abe administration took a hard hit following the resignation of minister Akira Amari four weeks ago. Despite ongoing investigations regarding alleged bribery and power abuse, the ex-minister decided to hold a 45 minute speech at the Hotel Okura last week. Host Timothy Langley (who attended the event) and co-hosts Michael Cucek and Dr. Nancy discuss the ramifications of speaking so soon after the scandal.

Japan is set to introduce a flexible hours system (aka flextime) to alleviate pressures of elderly care. This could prove difficult to put in place in the Japanese business world, but if implemented could offer many benefits. Will it be popular enough to stay?

As TEPCO continues to struggle with the ongoing problems at the Fukushima Dai-Ichi plant, and with restarting of nuclear power plants nation-wide, more than 600 new players are preparing to enter the ring from this April! Will you opt to bundle your internet with your electricity?

Despite the Akari Amari scandal. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's popularity has risen in the last week. What explanation is there for this phenomenon?

After last week's scandal, cabinet member Akira Amari resigns over bribery allegations and is succeeded by Nobuteru Ishihara. Will the new minister be able to take on the TPP responsibilities?

In 2015, the Japanese parliament passed a new bill lowering the age of maturity (in voting) from 20 to 18 years old. While a big step forward in concept, Japan is well known for having a less-than-enthusiastic voter base below 50 years old. Will this affect the elections of 2016?