Kanako Takahara - The Japan Times

November 22, 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

Sep 29, 2003

Motegi says he will address Okinawa-SOFA issue

Toshimitsu Motegi, the new minister in charge of Okinawa and affairs related to the Northern Territories, says he will review what Japan can do to improve implementation of the accord that governs U.S. military activities in the country.

Japan Times

JAPAN / CABINET INTERVIEW

Sep 24, 2003

Kawaguchi eyes bigger SDF role

The government should pursue a more flexible interpretation of the Constitution's war-renouncing Article 9 and allow the Self-Defense Forces to make a greater contribution to global peacekeeping efforts, according to Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi.

JAPAN

Sep 19, 2003

Panel calls for reinterpretation of the antiwar Constitution

In light of the nuclear threat posed by North Korea, the government should alter its interpretation of the Constitution and allow Japan to exercise the right of collective defense, according to a report compiled Thursday by an advisory panel to Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Sep 18, 2003

Pyongyang given ultimatum on anniversary of summit

The government's top spokesman reiterated Wednesday that Japan will not resume normalization talks with North Korea unless it allows the family members of abductees who returned last year to also come to Japan.

JAPAN

Sep 13, 2003

Japan opposes latest Israeli decision

Japan on Friday came out against Israel's decision to oust Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, saying the move will only escalate the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

JAPAN

Sep 13, 2003

Defector describes childhood of pain

A North Korean who was once detained in the notorious Yodeok concentration camp called on South Korea, Japan and other nations to join hands to pressure the Kim Jong Il regime.

JAPAN

Sep 6, 2003

Japan vows 'sincere' response to China gas leak

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi told China's No. 2 leader Friday that Japan will deal "sincerely" with last month's poison gas leak from barrels abandoned by the Imperial Japanese Army in China at the end of World War II.

JAPAN / AFTER 2 1/2 YEARS

Sep 5, 2003

Koizumi support of U.S. a double-edged sword?

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi was offered two scripts by the Foreign Ministry ahead of the March invasion of Iraq by the United States.

JAPAN

Jul 20, 2003

Koizumi backs Blair's decision to attack Iraq as 'courageous'

HAKONE, Kanagawa Pref. -- Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi agreed Saturday with his British counterpart, Tony Blair, that there were justifiable grounds to launch the war against Iraq.

JAPAN

Jul 19, 2003

U.S. to give back idle Yokohama land

Japan and the United States agreed in principle Friday to the return of idle land at four sites in Yokohama currently overseen by U.S. forces, Foreign Ministry officials said.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Jul 17, 2003

Koizumi, Howard stress pressuring North Korea and liberalizing trade

The leaders of Japan and Australia agreed Wednesday on the necessity of five-nation talks on the North Korean nuclear issue and the importance of liberalizing bilateral trade.

JAPAN

Jul 16, 2003

Government seeks SOFA deals with three Mideast hosts

The government plans to conclude status of forces agreements with Kuwait, Qatar and Jordan, a senior official of the Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.

JAPAN

Jul 16, 2003

UNSC may be brought in on North Korea

Japan, South Korea and the United States have agreed that the U.N. Security Council should adopt a statement denouncing North Korea for its suspected nuclear weapons development if it does not agree to conduct multilateral talks, a senior Foreign Ministry official said Tuesday.

JAPAN

Jul 10, 2003

ODA spending to aid prosperity, home security

Japan will use its official development assistance in ways that enhance its own security and prosperity, according to a government draft of the revised ODA charter released Wednesday.

JAPAN

Jul 4, 2003

U.S. wants officials present in military suspect questioning

The United States has demanded that Japan allow American officials to be present when U.S. servicemen suspected of committing crimes here are questioned by Japanese investigators prior to indictment.

JAPAN

Jul 3, 2003

Japan, U.S. begin discussions on SOFA

Japan and the United States on Wednesday began negotiations over the conditions under which American servicemen suspected of crimes in this country are questioned by Japanese authorities before indictment.

JAPAN

Jul 2, 2003

U.S. pressure places Iran-Japan oil deal in doubt

The government on Tuesday urged a state-backed consortium of Japanese firms to delay signing a contract on an Iranian oil development project, citing international suspicion that Tehran is developing nuclear weapons.

JAPAN

Jun 28, 2003

U.S. tired of Pyongyang's 'serial provocation': Baker

U.S. Ambassador Howard Baker warned Friday that Washington has become tired of North Korea's "serial provocation" over its nuclear weapons program and urged the reclusive state to agree to a second round of multilateral talks.

JAPAN

Jun 27, 2003

Water purification, aid transportation tops Iraq agenda

A team of ruling coalition lawmakers who visited Iraq urged the government Thursday to focus on water purification and transportation of humanitarian aid when helping rebuild the devastated nation.

JAPAN

Jun 27, 2003

Water purification, aid transportation tops Iraq agenda

A team of ruling coalition lawmakers who visited Iraq urged the government Thursday to focus on water purification and transportation of humanitarian aid when helping rebuild the devastated nation.

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

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’

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