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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
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 18, 2016
Tokyo condemns latest North Korean missile tests
North Korea fires two missiles into the Sea of Japan just days after the defiant Kim Jong Un threatens to carry out more nuclear tests and missile launches.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 17, 2016
Hostage video of missing Japanese journalist Jumpei Yasuda raises fears of ransom
The video has sparked speculation of behind-the-scenes contact between his kidnappers and the government.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 16, 2016
Sanctions eased but Japan Inc. treads warily in return to Iran
Optimism prevailed when United Nations sanctions against Iran were lifted in mid-January. Since the historic nuclear deal was reached last July between Iran and six global powers, companies, including those in Japan, had been vying for economic opportunities in a Middle Eastern market rich in natural...
JAPAN
Mar 14, 2016
Kishida, Wang hold talks in effort to move bilateral ties forward
After several failed attempts to arrange a teleconference, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida was finally able to speak with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, on Monday as Tokyo seeks to defrost chilly bilateral ties.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / EXPLAINER
Mar 14, 2016
How a U.N. committee riled Japan with its criticism of women's rights
Recent recommendations issued to Japan by the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women sparked a sharp response from Tokyo.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 11, 2016
Amid South China Sea spat, Japan foreign aid white paper stresses importance of sea lanes
Tokyo renews its commitment to the ASEAN in its annual report on foreign aid, stressing the importance of safe sea lanes.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Mar 3, 2016
U.N. sanctions against North toughest yet, but critics say still not enough
The United Nations Security Council has unanimously approved the toughest sanctions against North Korea in two decades following its nuclear test and missile launch.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 2, 2016
Japan closely watches Super Tuesday results for signs of things to come
As Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton step closer to claiming their parties' nominations, Japanese experts begin to pay closer attention to the race.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 29, 2016
Japan to provide Egypt with ¥2 trillion business project, take in 2,500 students
Japan has pledged to continue supporting Egypt’s democratic process five years after revolution swept the country and ousted Hosni Mubarak.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 29, 2016
Japanese, Chinese diplomats meet in Tokyo, agree to more high-level talks
Senior Japanese and Chinese diplomats agree to work on holding high-level talks, including mutual visits by their foreign ministers, to mend the strained bilateral relationship.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 26, 2016
Japan welcomes 'stronger' U.S.-China sanctions against North Korea
Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said Friday that the draft resolution agreed to by the United States and China on expanding sanctions against North Korea for its latest nuclear test and rocket launch reflects Japan's call for stringent U.N. action.
JAPAN
Feb 24, 2016
Japan to begin working holiday visa program with Slovakia in June
Japan will start a working holiday program with Slovakia beginning this June, with the aim of enhancing friendship and understanding between the two countries.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 23, 2016
Defense minister stresses civilians still have control over Japanese military
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani on Tuesday downplayed a news report that some senior officers in the Self-Defense Forces are demanding a bigger role than the civilians in drafting the next three-year overall operation plan.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 19, 2016
Abe eschews further delays, vows to cut 10 Lower House seats in line with census
The prime minister pledges to slash 10 seats in the Diet's House of Representatives sooner than his LDP party has proposed.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 15, 2016
Abe pledges $78 million in humanitarian aid to visiting Abbas
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday offered $78 million in fresh humanitarian assistance to visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, renewing his vow to support the Middle East peace process amid yet another period of tension.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 15, 2016
Russian foreign minister to visit, lay groundwork for a possible summit
Visit from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov slated for April but no dates set yet for a meeting to discuss territorial dispute.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / ANALYSIS
Feb 12, 2016
Abenomics on ropes as reform arrow, BOJ 'bazooka' misfire
As Tokyo stocks tumble further, dragging the Nikkei average to its first close below 15,000 since October 2014, economists ask: Has Abenomics run its course?
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Feb 8, 2016
North Korea's missile technology blitz stokes concern among experts, officials in Japan
North Korea's rocket launch Sunday has raised fears among Japanese officials and experts that its grasp of missile technology is advancing at a worrying clip.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 7, 2016
North Korea defies U.N. by firing long-range rocket over Okinawa
Tokyo condemns a purported North Korean satellite launch that is widely viewed as another covert ballistic missile test in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 5, 2016
Japan, U.S., South Korea defense officials discuss North's launch plans
Defense officials from Japan, the United States and South Korea held a video conference Friday to discuss the planned North Korean satellite launch.

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