This week, on Tokyo on Fire:

We will begin this week with the election of the Niigata Governor - which seems mundane for the isolated prefecture on the western side of Japan. But it actually holds a lot of weight for Japanese LDP politicians as the discipline in the ranks start to whither.

In other news, the LDP has backtracked from their 50 year old dream of changing the Japanese constitution. But why would Prime Minister Abe suddenly get cold feet after finally getting two thirds majority in both Lower and Upper houses?

Last but not least, we revisit the Death by Overwork problem which has plagued Japan's brand for many years. Is the government working towards a solution? Or will this topic stay a favourite amongst Western journalists looking for an easy story?