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August 15, 2024
 

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Kanako Takahara

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Kanako Takahara
Kanako Takahara is a staff writer who has covered national politics, diplomacy, business and the economy at The Japan Times. A graduate of Sophia University, she is currently a national news editor.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Explainer
May 27, 2022
As Japan’s borders creak open, who can enter now?
With the nation reopening little by little — a limited number of tourists have already arrived on package tour trials — it's difficult to keep track of who is allowed in and who isn't.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 26, 2022
It's official: Japan to allow in foreign tourists on package tours from June 10
Kishida has said that Japan's strict border controls were necessary to buy time, but the government will ease restrictions from here on.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 24, 2022
Global tensions dominate discussions at ‘Quad’ leader summit in Tokyo
Divisions over the invasion of Ukraine contrast with unity on the issue of maritime security, which offered a breakthrough at the meeting.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 24, 2022
Japanese formula-makers consider exporting product to the U.S. amid shortage
The agriculture ministry has contacted five baby formula manufacturers to see if it's possible to export their products to the U.S., which is experiencing a shortage.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 16, 2022
From Tran Anh Tuan to Masaki Ito: A Vietnamese refugee's journey to Japanese citizenship
When Masaki Ito saw Ukrainians who had fled their war-torn country arriving in Japan on TV, it brought back strong memories of his own arrival from Vietnam 40 years ago.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 13, 2022
Japan granted refugee status to a record 74 people in 2021
The government also granted residential status out of humanitarian consideration to a record 580 people, most of whom were from Myanmar.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
May 12, 2022
When will Japan open to tourists?
Kanako Takahara joins to discuss when Japan might reopen to international tourism, and what form that reopening might take.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
May 3, 2022
The ¥22 trillion question: When will Japan reopen to foreign tourists?
Kishida is facing increased pressure from businesses to make what experts say is a political decision.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 15, 2022
Third time’s the charm? Kei Komuro fails to pass New York bar for second time
Komuro, who aims to take the exam again in July, has said he was five points short of passing.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 13, 2022
Japan’s stealth reopening: Parents of foreign residents get OK to visit
With the cap on daily arrivals raised to 10,000, the number of visas issued to first- and second-degree family members of Japanese citizens and residents continues to grow.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 8, 2022
Japan to expel eight Russians, including diplomats, as Kishida announces new sanctions
Kishida revealed a sweeping new round of sanctions against Moscow, declaring that Japan will phase out imports of Russian coal and ban imports of Russian machinery, lumber and vodka.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 6, 2022
Japan says it will ‘lift entry ban on 106 countries,’ but tourists still can’t enter
Confusing government statement raises false hope for return of international tourists
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 25, 2022
Japanese national in Poland opens home to Ukrainian refugee families
Until three weeks ago, Yugo Azuma was just another graduate student in Poland, but after the invasion of Ukraine he felt compelled to come to the aid of those fleeing the country.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 23, 2022
Zelenskyy hails Japan's stand against Russia and warns of nuclear threat to Ukraine
The charismatic Ukrainian leader sought to appeal to his audience by alluding to key moments in Japan's modern history, such as the atomic bombings at the end of World War II.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Mar 23, 2022
One month into war, a Ukrainian family reunites in Japan
Kanako Takahara explains Japan's efforts to help these refugees, and why the government here isn't calling them by that name.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 19, 2022
Tears, relief and the 'smell of Ukraine': A daughter's reunion with her mother in Japan
“I don't have anything to fear now that I'm with my family,' Maria Dovbash, 71, said following an arduous seven-day journey to Tokyo from the war-torn Eastern European country.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Mar 17, 2022
Japan’s latest quake evokes memories of 3/11. Was it an aftershock?
The 7.4 magnitude quake that hit Tohoku shook a region that's still recovering from the devastation of the March 2011 disaster. Experts are split on whether the quakes are closely linked.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 16, 2022
Japan to revoke Russia's most favored nation trade status
The U.S., EU and U.K. have announced similar moves following a G7 leaders' statement describing actions to deny the preferred trade status to Moscow.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 15, 2022
Japan looks to offer enhanced support to help Ukrainian refugees settle
Making use of help offered by firms and municipalities, measures would include providing accommodation, daily supplies, language education, job-hunting support and education for children.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 11, 2022
Japan's COVID-19 panel approves eased criteria for lifting quasi-emergency
The move comes as quasi-emergency measures in place in 18 prefectures, including Tokyo, Osaka and Aichi prefectures — are set to expire on March 21.
Japan to revise consumption tax exemption for overseas tourists
Tourists walk through Nakamise shopping street near Sensoji Temple in Tokyo in April
Japan's tourism industry hit by cancellations after megaquake alert
A beach closed due to a megaquake alert in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, from Friday to Thursday.
Focus shifts to incoming typhoon as Tropical Storm Maria dissipates
Newly formed Tropical Storm Ampil, which is forecast to approach eastern Japan this weekend, is seen on the left side of this satellite image.
Kishida to step down in September in bid to show ‘LDP has changed’
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during a news conference Wednesday at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo.
Publisher finds surprise audience after translating history textbooks
Yamakawa Shuppansha president Takeshi Nozawa holds the publisher's textbook on Japanese history — used in high schools across Japan — alongside the new English version in Tokyo on May 23.
Economic security is about strengthening and sustaining growth, former minister says
Former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi says changes in the international balance of power, along with deepening economic interdependence, have led some countries to attempt to use their economic power to impose their will on others.
Ice bandanas, convenience store breaks: Running under Japan’s summer sun
Blistering heat is becoming a fixture of summer in Japan, but a few tweaks to your routine can make your outdoor runs bearable — if not enjoyable — until cooler temperatures return.
Japan issued its first-ever megaquake alert. What does that mean?
Naoshi Hirata (center), chairman of a committee tasked with evaluating the risk of a Nankai Trough earthquake, speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on Friday.
France brings down the curtain on its Olympic party with Tom Cruise and Leon Marchand
Fireworks are set off during the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics at Stade de France in Saint-Denis on Sunday.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Sociologist Gracia Liu-Farrer argues that even though immigration doesn't figure into Japan's autobiography, it is more of a self-perception than a reality.
In search of the ‘Japanese dream’
By Thu-Huong Ha

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