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July 16, 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 / 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.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Oct 19, 2022
Japan reopens its borders. Are tourists ready to return?
Masks? Vaccinations? Yen? You're ready to come to Japan! News chief Kanako Takahara and reporter Will Fee join the podcast this week to discuss whether the country's grand reopening will help its beleaguered tourism sector.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 17, 2022
Unification Church could be stripped of special status after Kishida probe
The group could lose its “religious corporation” status, which makes donations and other revenue made from religious activities exempt from taxation.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 13, 2022
Japan updates advice on clinic visits for COVID patients amid 'twindemic' fears
People between the ages of 12 and 64 with a low risk of developing severe COVID-19 symptoms have been asked to refrain from going to so-called fever clinics.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 12, 2022
Confusing mix of policies sours start of domestic travel discount campaign
Prefectures have chosen differing kickoff dates and COVID-19 protocols, resulting in a baffling array of eligibility requirements.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 5, 2022
The church, the economy and the funeral: CDP leader grills Kishida
The opposition took the prime minister to task over his party's ties to the Unification Church, the state funeral for ex-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and soaring inflation.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 4, 2022
North Korea fires ballistic missile over Japan for first time since 2017
The missile, which was estimated to have traveled 4,600 km, prompted Tokyo to issue a rare alert calling for residents to take cover.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 3, 2022
Kishida tries to put focus on economy after Unification Church controversy
The prime minister used his speech at the opening of the new parliamentary session to emphasize economic measures, such as those on inflation and raising wages.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 27, 2022
Japan bids farewell to former PM Shinzo Abe with controversial state funeral
Scores of foreign dignitaries, including U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, attended the ceremony, while rallies protesting the controversial funeral were also held.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 23, 2022
Japan to reopen to independent travelers and lift daily arrival cap, Kishida says
The move marks a major policy shift after nearly 2u00bd years of strict COVID-19 restrictions.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Sep 22, 2022
Why Japan has been taking incremental steps to reopen its borders
The Group of Seven's strictest border rules have been eased in slow, incremental steps, much to the chagrin of foreign nationals waiting to enter.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Society
Sep 21, 2022
Even as Japan’s border creaks open, unmarried couples still struggle to reunite
The categories of people allowed entry has been slowly expanded, but those in uncertified relationships have been left out, prompting some to tie the knot.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 12, 2022
Japan plans to reopen to independent travelers in major shift, report says
Tourists, who will need to have been vaccinated three times or submit a negative test result under the new policy, may be able to enter without a visa.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 8, 2022
LDP survey shows 121 lawmakers had substantial ties with the Unification Church
The degree of ties varied, with some lawmakers having been interviewed in a publication linked to the religious group, while two were found to have received organizational election support.
Bloodied Trump survives assassination attempt at political rally
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is surrounded and evacuated by Secret Service agents at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. Trump was rushed off stage at the rally after shots rang out.
How to beat Japan’s summer heat in ways better for the planet
Tenugui towels hang up to dry at a dyeing company in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on May 8. The durable and versatile tenugui, which many people have in their homes, can be used in many ways to cool one’s body.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'
Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
Amid same-sex marriage ban, LGBTQ couples opt for 'photo weddings'
A lesbian couple, consisting of a 35-year-old woman (left) and 40-year-old woman, cover their faces with bouquets as they pose for wedding photos in Yokohama on Nov. 1.
China and Russia conduct joint Pacific military patrol
The Russian corvette Gromkiy enters the Chinese port of Zhanjiang as part of a joint China-Russia naval exercise on Saturday.
How to beat Japan’s summer heat in ways better for the planet
Tenugui towels hang up to dry at a dyeing company in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on May 8. The durable and versatile tenugui, which many people have in their homes, can be used in many ways to cool one’s body.
After Trump shooting, U.S. presidential race might take a violent turn
United States Secret Service Counter Snipers stand guard on a rooftop during a campaign rally for U.S. President Donald Trump in Avoca, Pennsylvania, in 2020.
No AC this summer? No problem (for me).
Think air conditioning is a requirement for a Tokyo summer? Think again.
She’s paying ¥1 million to help behind the scenes at the Paris Olympics
Mai Tarumi, who previously volunteered at the postponed Tokyo Olympics in 2021, has a travel budget of ¥1 million for her trip to volunteer at the Paris Games.
How to tweak your diet when temperatures spike
Most people think of hydration as a strictly liquid-based concept, but eating foods with high water content is an essential part of making it through a Japanese summer unscathed.

Podcast

You can often see generations of families enjoying performances together at Fuji Rock Festival.
Japan’s summer music festivals are feeling the heat in more ways than one

Longform

Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'
By Tomoko Otake

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