Suga's rejection of science nominees spurs constitutional storm

Scholars in Japan slam decision on council positions as infringing on academic freedom

20201020 Suga and Science Council of Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, left, speaks during an interview on Oct. 5. A general meeting of the Science Council of Japan, right, was held on Oct. 2 (Source photos by Kyodo and Uichiro Kasai)

MASATO SHIMIZU, Nikkei senior staff writer

October 24, 2020 12:12 JST

TOKYO -- Just weeks into his tenure, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is stirring controversy by breaking with careful precedent in rejecting the appointment of six scholars nominated to join the prestigious and apolitical Science Council of Japan, a surprising move that has quickly turned into a sharp debate over the country's constitution.