author

 
Menu
Search
 
April 03, 2025
 

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
Mar 9, 2023
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol to visit Japan on March 16
The meeting is expected to help mend bilateral ties, which have been impacted for years by a dispute over wartime labor.
JAPAN
Mar 7, 2023
Japan's Cabinet OKs overhaul of immigration system
Proposed revisions to the immigration law would increase reviews of detentions, ease deportation rules and add a status of quasi-refugees.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Feb 22, 2023
Japan accepted over 2,300 Ukrainians last year. Is its refugee policy finally changing?
Many were surprised with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's decision to accept Ukrainians into the country given Tokyo has long held a strict definition of who is eligible for asylum.
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 14, 2023
Policy path in focus as Kazuo Ueda nominated to be Bank of Japan chief
An academic, author and former BOJ board member, Ueda will be tasked with leading the BOJ through a challenging period.
JAPAN
Feb 6, 2023
What could Japan do about foreign spy balloons over its territory?
The nation may have already seen Chinese spy balloons over its skies, including two instances of remarkably similar design to the alleged spy balloon shot down by the U.S.
JAPAN
Jan 31, 2023
Kishida’s son in hot seat over shopping during official trips overseas
Kishida says his son, who is also the prime minister's executive secretary, was buying souvenirs on his behalf, which would be considered part of his official duties.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jan 30, 2023
Deportation of Japanese robbery suspects could be decided by next week
The Philippine justice secretary said he wants the incident resolved before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s planned visit to Japan in the second week of February.
JAPAN / Explainer
Jan 29, 2023
What will change when Japan reclassifies COVID-19?
Japan is planning to downgrade the categorization of COVID-19 on May 8. How will that impact residents?
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jan 27, 2023
Alleged ringleader of serial robberies in Japan operated from Manila detention center
The suspected mastermind, who is said to have gone by the name “Luffy,” sent instructions via smartphone, taking advantage of lax security at the detention facility.
JAPAN
Jan 25, 2023
CDP questions Kishida on defense spending, nuclear power and child care
Calling for a snap election, the CDP's Kenta Izumi blasted the prime minister for pursuing a tax hike for defense spending without parliamentary discussion.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 23, 2023
In policy speech, Kishida puts focus on child care and defense
Implementing all of the policies mentioned in the speech — from child care and defense spending to wage hikes — will be tough if Kishida lacks a stable political base.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 11, 2023
Health ministry suggests restricting bulk drug purchases amid hoarding fears
The message follows reports of Chinese people in the country buying medicine in bulk and mailing it to friends and families back home.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Explainer
Jan 10, 2023
Japan's domestic travel discount program is back. Here's what you need to know.
The discount program is expected to end in stages as each prefecture runs out of funds allocated from the central government, but it will likely last until the end of March.
JAPAN / Politics / Outlook for 2023
Jan 2, 2023
In 2023, Kishida's political survival hangs in the balance
Kishida heads into the new year with diminished political capital, having suffered one setback after another since former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's assassination in July.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Dec 28, 2022
U.S. national killed in Saitama was a well-established businessman in Japan
William Bishop Jr. came to Japan in 1974 and eventually went on to start his own health care consultancy. He has been described as “dedicated, hard-working and a real leader.”
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 27, 2022
Japan to tighten borders for travelers from China on Dec. 30
All travelers from China as well as those who have been to China within the previous seven days will be tested for COVID-19 upon their arrival in Japan.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 27, 2022
Japan's reconstruction minister resigns following funding scandal
Kenya Akiba has admitted to having two political groups affiliated with him pay u00a514 million to his mother and his wife as “rent” between 2011 and 2020.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 26, 2022
COVID-19 cases on the rise as Japan enters the holiday season
JTB estimates that about 21 million people will travel domestically, up 16.7% from the previous year.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 23, 2022
Tokyo’s long-term plan to become more disaster resilient
The capital is planning to upgrade its infrastructure by 2049 to be better prepared for heavy rain and flooding events.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Dec 22, 2022
Aoki Holdings founder pleads guilty to bribery related to Tokyo Games
Thursday's court hearing was the first related to a series of scandals involving the Tokyo Olympics.
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.
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.
Meiji says sayonara to bottled milk, a staple of Japan's bathhouses
Meiji bottled milk lined up in a fridge at Kosugiyu, a bathhouse in Tokyo. The sticker urges patrons to enjoy the milk one last time before it’s gone.
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
The U.S. says Japan has a 700% tariff on American rice. Is that the case?
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt holds up a piece of paper with information about tariff rates at the White House on Tuesday.
Meiji says sayonara to bottled milk, a staple of Japan's bathhouses
Meiji bottled milk lined up in a fridge at Kosugiyu, a bathhouse in Tokyo. The sticker urges patrons to enjoy the milk one last time before it’s gone.
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.
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.

Podcast

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

Longform

Professional cleaner Hirofumi Sakurai takes a moment to appreciate some photographs in a Gotanda apartment whose occupant died alone.
The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan
By Johan Brooks

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

BOARDING & INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL DAY 2025 (Sunday, April 20)
BOARDING & INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL DAY 2025 (Sunday, April 20)

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

Read more

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER