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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
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 Times
JAPAN
Mar 11, 2022
Israel, Sweden and Chile are recommending a fourth COVID-19 jab. What about Japan?
If fourth doses in Japan are administered six months after third shots, a second booster rollout could begin as early as this summer.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Mar 10, 2022
Are Ukrainians who flee 'refugees' or 'evacuees'? For Japan, it's complicated.
Many governments and organizations describe Ukrainians escaping Russia's invasion as refugees, but Tokyo is using a term that more closely translates to 'people who have been evacuated.'
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 9, 2022
From housing to jobs to education, support grows for Ukrainians fleeing to Japan
Yokohama and Osaka Prefecture are among the local governments looking to help evacuees by providing housing and other services.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 8, 2022
Japan hits Russia and Belarus with more sanctions over Ukraine invasion
Relations between Japan and Russia — from diplomacy to business — are quickly growing fragile as Tokyo joins Western countries in putting pressure on Moscow.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 3, 2022
Kishida announces raising of daily arrival cap to 7,000
Considering there are about 150,000 foreign students waiting to enter Japan, Kishida said the government will create a program allowing them to come using vacant seats on weekday flights.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 2, 2022
Kishida announces that Japan will accept Ukrainian refugees at an early date
Around 660,000 refugees had fled Ukraine to neighboring countries in the six days since Russian soldiers invaded the country, according to the UNHCR.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 1, 2022
Japan opens borders for the first time in three months
It may be a while before airports such as Haneda, Narita and Kansai are flooded with new arrivals, as Japan still has a cap of 5,000 people allowed to enter the nation every day.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 28, 2022
Japan looks to extend quasi-emergencies in Tokyo and nine other prefectures
Areas where a high proportion of beds for COVID-19 patients are occupied could see the measure extended by about two weeks.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Feb 24, 2022
Japan relaxes its border restrictions
Japan's strict border policies are finally relaxing — at least a little bit — and from March, new entrants will be allowed to come to the country once again.

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Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?