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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 / History
Apr 13, 2016
White House offers fresh hints on possible visit to Hiroshima by Obama
Tokyo keeps quiet in the wake of new signals, giving Washington time to test the reaction of the U.S. public.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Apr 12, 2016
Success of G-7 Hiroshima summit could fuel Kishida's LDP leadership bid
A Group of Seven foreign ministers' meeting is usually an opportunity for Japan's top diplomat to step into the global spotlight. For Fumio Kishida, the foreign minister who often stands in the shadow of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the meeting that wrapped up Monday in Hiroshima means so much more.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 11, 2016
G-7 ministers adopt Hiroshima Declaration hoping to add momentum to nonproliferation movement
The Group of Seven foreign ministers conclude a historic two-day meeting in Hiroshima that saw them discuss the goal of global nuclear disarmament in the first city destroyed by an atomic bomb.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 11, 2016
Kerry becomes first U.S. secretary of state to visit Hiroshima memorial
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry became the first top American diplomat to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum on Monday, offering flowers at the cenotaph inside the park in a move that could pave the way for a possible visit by President Barack Obama during the Group of Seven summit...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 11, 2016
Terrorism, refugee flood, North Korea nuclear threat on G-7 foreign minister meeting agenda in Hiroshima
The Group of Seven foreign ministers' meeting kicked off Sunday in the city of Hiroshima, paving the way for the G-7 leaders' late-May summit in Mie Prefecture.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 9, 2016
G-7 foreign ministers to weigh nuclear future at Hiroshima meeting
The G-7 foreign ministers' summit taking place in Hiroshima carries a symbolic meaning as it offers an opportunity for world leaders to be reminded of the horrors of nuclear arms.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 8, 2016
Diet erupts in outrage as ex-minister's TPP manuscript reveals details Abe kept under wraps
The Democratic Party boycotts Diet talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership after memoirs linked to former farm minister Koya Nishikawa reveal details of the secret trade negotiations.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 7, 2016
G-7 foreign ministers to call for peaceful resolution to territorial disputes
In a statement to be issued after the two-day meeting, the ministers are expected to say stakeholders should abide by international court decisions.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 6, 2016
Abe meets with Ukraine president, vows to raise Crimea issue at G-7 summit
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko in Tokyo on Wednesday and reaffirmed that Japan is committed to resolving the crisis in Crimea, adding that it will bring the issue to the Group of Seven summit next month.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 5, 2016
Japan, China diplomats present concerted front on North Korea sanctions
China's special representative for the Korean Peninsula, Wu Dawei, met with his Japanese counterpart Tuesday to show a concerted effort to deal with North Korea's growing nuclear ambitions.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 1, 2016
Abe sought 'off record' advice on German fiscal policy, Krugman reveals in Twitter post
U.S. economist Paul Krugman baffles the government by revealing an off-the-record conversation with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Mar 31, 2016
New Myanmar government brings challenges for Tokyo
With Wednesday's installation of a new government in Myanmar that will effectively be led by pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, the Southeast Asian nation has arrived at a crossroads in its relationship with Japan.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 29, 2016
Security laws usher in new era for pacifist Japan
Marking a historic change in Japan's pacifist diplomacy, two divisive security laws take effect that allow Tokyo to engage in collective self-defense based on the reinterpreted Constitution.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 28, 2016
Abe offers ¥600 million grant to Zimbabwe in bid to counter Chinese economic offensive
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gave Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe a ¥600 million welcome to Japan in the form of an aid pledge intended to lure more Japanese companies back to the former agricultural powerhouse and counter an aggressive foray by China. But the move could also raise eyebrows in the West....
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 28, 2016
Suga to Trump: U.S.-Japan alliance to stay
Responding to comments by U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga says the nonnuclear principles and the Japan-U.S. alliance remain the cornerstone of Japan's diplomacy.
JAPAN
Mar 25, 2016
Islamic State a growing threat to East Asia, including Japan: defense review
A defense review released Friday said the threat was highlighted by the kidnapping and killing of Japanese nationals.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 25, 2016
Diplomat Yutaka Yokoi named new ambassador to China
The Foreign Ministry on Friday tapped "China school" diplomat Yutaka Yokoi as Japan's new ambassador to China, underscoring its resolve to move bilateral relations forward at a time when tensions are building over territorial issues.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 24, 2016
Government, media equally to blame in debate on free speech, say journalists
Veteran Japanese journalists have stepped up their criticism of communications minister Sanae Takaichi over her comments that the government can suspend broadcasters' operations if they air what it considers politically-biased programs.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 22, 2016
New security laws take effect next Tuesday but SDF not ready, defense chief says
The Self-Defense Forces won't accept any new roles after the security laws take effect March 29 unless the legal details are in place, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani says.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Mar 21, 2016
Japan backs homegrown stealth jet in aerospace industry revival
Japan is set to become the fourth country to test-fly its own stealth jet — a move that is likely to increase its military presence in the region.

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