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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
Jan 31, 2001
Scandals tipped to rock coming Diet proceedings
Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori opens the 150-day regular Diet session today amid a series of scandals involving members of his Liberal Democratic Party and a Foreign Ministry bureaucrat.
JAPAN
Nov 19, 2000
JCP won't back Kato as prime minister
The Japanese Communist Party would not support Koichi Kato as the nation's leader even if the heavyweight LDP member, who is trying to topple the Cabinet of Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, revolts from the Liberal Democratic Party, according to JCP leader Tetsuzo Fuwa.
JAPAN
Oct 27, 2000
Ruling bloc turns deaf ear to other options
Passage of a controversial electoral reform bill Thursday has provided another example of the ruling coalition's increasing use of force that opposition lawmakers describe as as tyrannous.
JAPAN
Sep 9, 2000
DPJ race for Upper House begins
The ultimate goal of the Democratic Party of Japan to wrest power from the current ruling triumvirate is seen to mainly hinge on whether party leader Yukio Hatoyama can steer his party to victory in next summer's House of Councilors election.
JAPAN
Aug 18, 2000
Tanaka says no to factions, holds on to freedom
One of the questions surrounding a group of Liberal Democratic Party members trying to stand up to the old guard is who the group would support in the next LDP presidential race.
JAPAN
Aug 7, 2000
'New breed' of woman emerges in Japan
Two weeks after Sakae Sasaki decided to open a cake shop in Tokyo's Meguro Ward in 1996, she realized she was pregnant.
JAPAN
Jun 21, 2000
Mori downplays election predictions favoring LDP
Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori on Tuesday played down favorable election predictions for his Liberal Democratic Party in the latest newspaper opinion polls.
JAPAN
Jun 21, 2000
Socialists basing campaigns on upholding the Constitution
The Social Democratic Party is upholding its longtime defense of the Constitution, especially war-renouncing Article 9, in its campaign for the June 25 Lower House election, SDP Chairwoman Takako Doi said.
JAPAN
Jun 21, 2000
Novice Yuko Obuchi is Gunma's heir apparent
SHIBUKAWA, Gunma Pref. — Upon entering Yuko Obuchi's election headquarters here, one notices a poster of her beaming father, the late Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, hanging at the entrance.
JAPAN
Jun 20, 2000
Vision seen eluding campaign
The main problem voters face in Sunday's Lower House poll is that no party has presented a clear vision to address public concerns about the future, according to journalist Soichiro Tawara.
JAPAN
Jun 13, 2000
DPJ offers bitter medicine as poll strategy
Yukio Hatoyama, head of the Democratic Party of Japan In campaigning for the Lower House election, the Democratic Party of Japan will push policies that may seem to voters like "bitter medicine," such as lowering the minimum taxable income level, to show the party is thinking seriously about the nation's...
JAPAN
Jun 6, 2000
Swing voters, blacklist loom large for poll
Swing voters are increasing, posing a threat to the ruling camp — the Liberal Democratic Party, New Komeito and New Conservative Party — because many of them are critical of the current administration, pundits say.
JAPAN
May 5, 2000
Self-brewing helps to combat Japan's indistinguishable ales
It's warm and sunny -- a nice day to have a cold glass of beer. At supermarkets and convenience stores, beers with a variety of colorful labels, tempting names and intriguing catch phrases line the shelves.
LIFE / Food & Drink
Apr 23, 2000
New York-style soup bars offer tasty stock options
New York-style coffee and bagel shops have been on the scene for years now, but another Manhattan staple is just beginning to spill into Tokyo's streets: soup cafes.
JAPAN
Mar 22, 2000
More female politicians key to gender equality, Swedish politician says
Increasing the number of female politicians may be the key to encouraging Japanese women to continue working after marriage and creating a gender-equal society in Japan, Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Lena Hjelm-Wallen said.
JAPAN
Mar 21, 2000
Long road back from mind control
Akira Sawaki was just another high school student when he joined Aum Shinrikyo in the winter of 1991, believing the world was full of corruption and wanting to be the one to change it.
JAPAN
Jan 31, 2000
Analysis: Aum's survival in doubt as watch begins
Staff writer Monday's decision by the Public Security Examination Commission to invoke a law to monitor Aum Shinrikyo will inevitably deal a major blow to the cult -- possibly even leading to its breakup. According to the law, enacted in December, Aum must submit a list of its current members as well...
JAPAN
Jan 30, 2000
Disaster dictated Ginza make-overs
JR Yurakucho Station is a well-known gateway to the shopping paradise of Tokyo's Ginza district, whose very name invokes images of luxury and big-name brands.
JAPAN
Dec 28, 1999
Joyu might disband Aum in order duck new law: expert
Staff writer After he is freed today from a Hiroshima prison, senior Aum Shinrikyo member Fumihiro Joyu will probably announce the voluntary dissolution of the cult, according to a freelance journalist who has extensively covered the sect. It would be a move to avoid a new law designed to curb the cult's...
JAPAN
Dec 20, 1999
Calls for overhaul of judge system mount
First of three parts Staff writer Discontent with the judicial system among lawyers, politicians and businesspeople has prompted a Cabinet advisory panel to launch discussions aimed at giving the system its first overhaul of the postwar era. Hiroshi Saito of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations...
As ‘Buy Canadian’ grows, more U.S. firms say retailers turning away products
Empty shelves with "Buy Canadian Instead" signs are seen in the American Whiskey section of the BC Liquor in Vancouver, British Columbia, on March 10.
Japan, South Korea and China vow to strengthen trade ties amid looming U.S. tariffs
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yoji Muto (left), South Korean Trade Industry and Energy Minister Ahn Duk-geun (center) and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao during a trilateral meeting in Seoul on Sunday
A Canadian made a weekend trip to Costco a Japanese pastime
Under the watchful eye of Ken Theriault, Costco representative director and Japan country manager, the American membership-model wholesaler has flourished in Japan.
Nankai Trough earthquake could kill 298,000 people, government says
Residents participate in an evacuation drill held with West Japan Railway in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, in January 2024 to prepare for a Nankai Trough earthquake and a possible tsunami following the quake.
Osaka Expo's Japan Pavilion completed
A ceremony is held to mark the completion of the Japan Pavilion at the World Expo in Osaka on Saturday.
On defense, Japan may avoid Trump's worst impulses — for now
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth chat after reviewing an honor guard during a welcome ceremony at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Sunday.
No longer a 'bridesmaid': Yuki Tsunoda prepares for the Red Bull pressure cooker
All eyes will be on Yuki Tsunoda as he makes his Red Bull debut at the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend.
A Canadian made a weekend trip to Costco a Japanese pastime
Under the watchful eye of Ken Theriault, Costco representative director and Japan country manager, the American membership-model wholesaler has flourished in Japan.
Tokyo tech failures lean into misfortune, mistakes and missteps
Tsuyoshi Domoto in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on March 28. As an entrepreneur, Domoto experienced plenty of setbacks but maintains a positive attitude and continues to pursue his dreams.
Who among the opposition would join the ruling coalition?
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba enters his office in Tokyo on Friday.

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