author

 
Menu
Search
 
November 22, 2024
 

Today's print edition

Home Delivery
Subscribe for more access
Kanako Takahara

Meta

Twitter

@jt_takahara

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 / Longform
Dec 12, 2022
Smooth operator: Rahm Emanuel’s transition to life as a diplomat
The U.S. ambassador on adjusting to life in Tokyo, his direct management style and dealing with Japanese politicians.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 8, 2022
Donation bill banning coercion clears Japan's Lower House
The legislation has received the support of major opposition parties after the ruling coalition made amendments to it.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 7, 2022
Japan parties move closer to passing donation bill targeting coercion
If passed, the bipartisan bill would ban organizations from soliciting donations out of fear and allow donors a path to getting a refund.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Dec 7, 2022
The Church, the State and Kishida's headache
Kanako Takahara joins this week's Deep Dive to discuss what's behind a new bill regulating faith-driven donations.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 4, 2022
From 'HTT' and 'SusHi Tech' to 'NHK,' Koike’s way with words falters
The Tokyo governor is known for her past catchy policy terms such as Cool Biz, but lately her choice of expressions has failed to resonate with the public.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal / EXPLAINER
Dec 2, 2022
Mixed messages: What the Tokyo Court's same-sex marriage ruling really means
In saying the prohibition of same-sex marriage is both constitutional and in a “state of violating” the Constitution, the court was signaling that it wants parliament to settle the matter.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 1, 2022
Kishida Cabinet approves bill banning use of fear to solicit donations
The move is aimed at providing relief to followers of the controversial Unification Church and their family members who have been left in financial ruin.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 22, 2022
Japan ramps up Unification Church scrutiny with management and adoption probes
The inquiry into the church's management and financial status is another step toward stripping it of its 'religious corporation' status.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 21, 2022
Kishida's decisiveness in question following resignation of three ministers
While praised for making quick and strong decisions early in his prime ministership, lately Kishida has been criticized for dragging his feet amid scandals.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Explainer
Nov 20, 2022
As 'twindemic' looms in Japan, here is what to do if you have a fever
This winter, the cause of flu-like symptoms could be the coronavirus, the flu or the respiratory syncytial virus.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 18, 2022
Draft bill in Japan would enable refunds of religious donations
The bill would enable the children or spouse of the follower of a religious group to claim back some of a donation if it was made under conditions deemed problematic.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 15, 2022
Justice Ministry panel puts forward option of joint custody for divorced parents
The proposal could see Japan move into line with international standards, but has been criticized by supporters of domestic violence victims.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 11, 2022
Ministry to launch first-of-its-kind probe into Unification Church
The probe sets the stage for the controversial group to be stripped of its religious corporation status.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Nov 9, 2022
The politics behind Kishida's religious exploitation bill
Kishida saying that it will be a government-sponsored bill while the discussions were still ongoing startled lawmakers on both sides.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 8, 2022
Expert panel approves criteria for probe into religious groups
The conditions put forward by the panel will also serve as a basis for future cases where similar instances of wrongdoing are suspected by religious groups.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 2, 2022
Ex-Japan PM Aso and South Korea's Yoon pledge to work toward improved bilateral ties
Ruling party heavyweight Taro Aso held talks with South Korean leader Yoon Suk-yeol in Seoul amid a festering row over wartime labor compensation.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Nov 1, 2022
Despite uncertain future, Ukrainian children slowly adapt to Japanese schools
With the end of the war and the length of their time in Japan unclear, parents are facing a tough decision on how strongly to have their children embrace the study of Japanese.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 25, 2022
Shigeyuki Goto tapped as Japan's new economic revitalization minister
Daishiro Yamagiwa stepped down from the post over his ties with the controversial Unification Church, and the prime minister will be hoping the change eases criticism over the issue.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 24, 2022
Japan economy minister quits over Unification Church links
'I've caused trouble for the administration' by not being forthcoming over ties to the religious group, Daishiro Yamagiwa told reporters after tendering his resignation.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 19, 2022
Rival parties work together to craft bills helping 'spiritual sales' victims
By reaching out to the opposition, Kishida could pass a bill faster while dampening the momentum of opposition members grilling him on the issue of the Unification Church.
Two of America’s biggest debt holders are dumping Treasurys
The U.S. Treasury building in Washington. Investors in Japan and China sold a pile of U.S. debt in the last quarter, just before the U.S. presidential election.
Ishiba aggravates his own political failures with diplomatic faux pas
Prime Minster Shigeru Ishiba is greeted at the APEC summit in Lima by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday. The Japanese leader was criticized for remaining seated while meeting several world leaders at the event.
Japan's 3.31 million visitors in October set monthly record
Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto in December 2023. Famous autumn leaf colors contributed to increased tourism demand last month from many markets across Asia, Europe and North America, the Japan National Tourism Organization has said.
Japan ranks last in romance satisfaction for second straight year
In a survey of 31 countries, Japan ranked last in terms of those who felt loved, with just 51% of respondents saying so.
Ruling coalition and DPP strike last-minute deal over economic policy
DPP policy chief Makoto Mahaguchi speaks at the party's policy gathering in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Japan, U.K. and Italy discuss inviting more countries to joint fighter project
A new concept model of a next-generation fighter jet to be jointly developed by Japan, Britain and Italy is on display in Farnborough, Hampshire, in July.
Haruki Murakami's 'The City and Its Uncertain Walls' gives deep deja vu
For “The City and Its Uncertain Walls,” translated into English by Philip Gabriel, Haruki Murakami confronts the ghosts who won't leave him alone.
Japanese expats in Asia find community through rugby
The Taiwan Fivewoods celebrate their victory at the 2023 Asian Japanese Rugby Cup in December of last year.
In Fukushima, a weekend of prose, poetry and translation
Aomori-based writer JJ Carter presented on tabletop gaming as creative inspiration for building characters and narratives.
For Dr. Nakamats, aging is just experience in action
Though he didn't win the recent gubernatorial election in Tokyo, the 96-year-old Dr. Nakamats' run was seen as inspirational in Japan's aging society.

Podcast

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

Longform

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

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

SWCC keeps changing with keyword ‘new challenges’
SWCC keeps changing with keyword ‘new challenges’

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

Read more

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER