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 Ayako Mie

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Ayako Mie
Ayako Mie covers Japanese politics and policies for the Japan Times. She started her career as a reporter at Tokyo Broadcasting System in 2001. In 2008, she went to journalism school at University of California, Berkeley as a Fulbright scholar. On returning to Japan in December 2010, she worked for the Washington Post as a special correspondent.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Sep 16, 2016
U.S. faces loss of credibility if TPP not ratified by end of year
The United States will lose its credibility in the Asia-Pacific region if Congress does not ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact by the end of the year, a former senior U.S. trade official said.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 14, 2016
Japan tries to decode Duterte after joint U.S. patrols halted
A day after the Philippine president said he plans to halt joint maritime patrols with foreign navies, Japan's government was trying to make sense of developments, with one senior official saying Tokyo will persevere with a nuanced approach to ties.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 12, 2016
Japan braces for possibility of another North Korean nuclear test
The Abe administration is still weighing the timing of fresh sanctions over the latest detonation.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Sep 9, 2016
Japan warns of growing North Korea threat after fifth nuclear test
North Korea conducted its fifth and most powerful nuclear test to date around 9:30 a.m. Friday, prompting Tokyo to immediately file a protest.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 8, 2016
Inada to visit Okinawa amid ongoing tensions over U.S. bases
Tomomi Inada is set to make her first visit to Okinawa as defense minister on Saturday amid escalating tensions between Tokyo and Naha over the contentious issue of U.S. military bases on the island.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 7, 2016
Despite dwindling momentum, Koizumi pursues anti-nuclear goals
While Japan's once-charged anti-nuclear movement struggles to retain its momentum five years after the 2011 Fukushima catastrophe, former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi remains doggedly determined to attain his goal of ending the country's reliance on atomic energy.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 5, 2016
North Korean missiles land in Japan EEZ as world leaders meet at G-20 in China
Three North Korean missiles land within Japan's exclusive economic zone, a move that Tokyo called a grave threat to national security.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 1, 2016
Abe-Putin chat may clarify 'new approach' to isle row
In May the two leaders agreed to take a new tack to solving the territorial dispute over four islands off Hokkaido.
JAPAN
Aug 31, 2016
Defense Ministry requests ¥5.1 trillion for fiscal 2017 to address new threats
The Defense Ministry requests more than u00a55.1 trillion for fiscal 2017 to deal with North Korea, China and terrorism that is putting ordinary Japanese at risk.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 26, 2016
Polyglot U.S.-born comic sheds cloak, dagger for shtick
For Reina Saiki, 28, the world is her oyster.
Japan Times
JAPAN / TICAD VI SPECIAL
Aug 26, 2016
Summit seeks expanded investment and development
African nations and Japan will be seeking a new type of win-win partnership at the sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI) that will be held for the first time in Africa when it kicks off in Nairobi on Aug. 27 amid uncertain situations in Japan and the region.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 25, 2016
North Korea's nuclear arsenal progressing, likely to be within striking range: experts
Pyongyang is on track to develop a regional strike capability by 2020, given how fast its missile program is advancing, a U.S. research institute warns.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 24, 2016
Foreign ministers condemn North Korea launch, pledge work on trilateral summit
The foreign ministers of Japan, China, and South Korea together rebuke the North's firing of a submarine-launched missile.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 24, 2016
SDF get green light to train for new peacekeeping roles
The Self-Defense Forces are given the green light to train for new duties added under security legislation introduced last year.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 23, 2016
Risking political suicide, LDP veteran Funada challenges Abe over Constitution
Like other Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers, Hajime Funada is a strong proponent of amending the postwar Constitution, but not the way Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 22, 2016
Akie Abe prays at Pearl Harbor, fueling speculation Japan's prime minister will follow suit
Known for making free-thinking comments and actions that are politically awkward for her husband, Akie Abe has done it again.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 12, 2016
Tokyo, Seoul agree part of 'comfort women' funds to be spent on medical, nursing care
The historic "comfort women" agreement made progress Friday as Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said Tokyo and Seoul have largely agreed to spend some of Japan's ¥1 billion contribution on medical and nursing care for the survivors.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 12, 2016
Overseas trip to forestall annual visit to Yasukuni by new defense chief Inada
Despite much speculation, new defense chief Tomomi Inada probably won't visit problematic Yasukuni Shrine on Japan's surrender anniversary and will instead catch a flight to Djibouti.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Aug 9, 2016
With TICAD, Japan pursues African growth and export markets
Global powers China, the United States and the European Union are fiercely competing to expand their market share in Africa — the world's last major economic frontier.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 25, 2016
Clinton a known quantity to Japanese officials, while Trump is still a wild card
As the Democrats start up their national convention Monday, Japanese officials are pondering which of the two hopefuls — Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump — are more likely to get along, both on a personal and professional level, with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

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