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
BUSINESS
Jun 17, 2022
BOJ stands pat on policy despite pressure following Fed rate hike
While many economists had said a policy shift was unlikely, the Fed's decision to introduce its largest rate hike since 1994 had fueled speculation that an adjustment might be made.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 16, 2022
Business license of disgraced Hokkaido tour boat firm revoked
Shiretoko Yuransen, based in the town of Shari, Hokkaido, will not be able to apply for a new license for the next two years.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 15, 2022
No more silent lunches? Some Japan schools ease COVID restrictions
With coronavirus infections dropping, some municipalities are lifting restrictions to let students socialize during the midday meal.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 10, 2022
Travel agencies rush to meet COVID-19 guidelines as Japan reopens for tourism
With new government protocols in place, it will take time before Japan's airports swarm with overseas travelers again.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 7, 2022
Japan to make tourists wear masks and purchase medical insurance
The Japan Tourism Agency has unveiled guidelines setting out what travel agencies, escorting guides and tourists will be required to do before and during their trip.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 3, 2022
Japan allows visits by extended family, fiances and common-law partners
Those in a relationship with a resident of Japan equivalent to a relative, such as a fiance, will be required to provide proof of their relationship, such as an engagement certificate.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 2, 2022
Japan residents flock to South Korean Embassy for visas as tourism resumes
Demand for South Korean tourist visas is so great that the country's embassy in Tokyo has limited applications to 150 per day, with some applicants camping out overnight.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 1, 2022
Japan’s experience rebuilding can help Ukraine, Tokyo's envoy says
Ukraine has estimated direct losses from the war totaling at least $650 billion, with the indirect cost being as much as $1 trillion.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 1, 2022
Japan eliminates airport testing and quarantine for some arrivals
The eased measures come as the country plans to open its borders to inbound tourists on guided tours from June 10.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 31, 2022
Japan to end special visas for people stranded in country due to COVID
The temporary measure has granted six-month “designated activities” residence statuses to foreign students and trainees stuck in Japan due to border controls in their home country.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 30, 2022
Tourist on Japan's package tour trial tests positive for COVID-19
The patient and three close contacts got tested after the individual complained of a sore throat on Monday.
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.
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