author

 
 
 Eric Johnston

Meta

Eric Johnston
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 9, 2022
Japan to send LNG to Europe amid Ukraine tensions
Following a request from the U.S., the government has said that it will offer surplus supplies to Europe.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 8, 2022
Cabinet gives OK to allowing SDF to evacuate foreign nationals abroad
The revised bill, which is expected to pass during the current parliamentary session, comes six months after the SDF was involved in evacuations from Afghanistan.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 7, 2022
Tension between opposition parties mounts over Upper House electoral cooperation
Tensions are running high between the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Japanese Communist Party after a tie-up last year failed to yield results.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Explainer
Feb 6, 2022
Volatile international oil situation takes toll on Japan’s gas prices and policy
The price at the pump reached u00a5170 per liter on Jan. 24 — the highest it's been in over 13 years.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Explainer
Feb 2, 2022
Dispute over northern islands shapes Tokyo’s stance on Ukraine crisis
Russia-Japan relations are centered on the decadeslong dispute over four islands northeast of Hokkaido that Russia occupies and Japan claims.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 28, 2022
Japan to recommend Sado mine for UNESCO World Heritage listing
The move could inflame tensions with South Korea, which opposes the registration due to the use of Korean wartime labor at the site.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Jan 24, 2022
Nago election result a boost for ruling coalition and a blow to anti-base movement
The loss of the Nago mayoral candidate opposed to the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to the city spells trouble for Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Explainer
Jan 21, 2022
Decades on, text governing U.S. forces in Japan is yet to be revised
Scrutiny of the Status of Forces Agreement has been renewed after U.S. military personnel were exempted from Japanese COVID-19 measures and areas around U.S. bases saw rises in cases.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jan 13, 2022
Okinawa's busy political year set to have major impact on national security
Voters in Nago go to the polls Jan. 23 to choose a mayor in the first of a series of elections that could shape the prefecture's relationship with Tokyo.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jan 7, 2022
Japan’s largest opposition party faces crucial test in upcoming Upper House poll
For the CDP, success or failure in the vote scheduled to take place in the summer is likely to determine the post-election futures of not only its new leader but the party itself.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 5, 2022
2022 shaping up as pivotal year for success of 2025 Osaka Expo
The Kansai region hopes to wow the world with flying cars, new medical technologies and hydrogen- and ammonia-powered vehicles and buildings. But is there enough time?
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 4, 2022
One more time? Sapporo, like Tokyo, wants to host its second Olympics
It is hoped that plans to make use of existing facilities will allay fears over costs, but nonetheless local support for a bid for the 2030 Winter Games looks to be on the wane.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 30, 2021
Growing friction between Kishida and Abe could mean turbulence for LDP in 2022
Tensions between Kishida and the former prime minister appear to be on the rise as Abe seeks to strengthen his faction and influence behind the scenes.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 26, 2021
Snow pummels Sea of Japan coast as weather agency warns more is on the way
The Meteorological Agency predicts snow and blizzard conditions will continue until Tuesday, with up to 90 centimeters of snow projected to fall in some regions.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 14, 2021
Citing local needs, Kishida defends use of coupons in financial aid plan
One estimate has shown that administrative costs for the central government would more than triple to u00a596.7 billion if coupons are included in the handouts to young people.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 12, 2021
Local pressure pushes government to change course on cash handouts
The cash handouts are aimed at supporting young people in need, assisting child rearing households and boosting the nation's consumption.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 8, 2021
In parliamentary debut, new CDP leader tries policy-focused approach
Conscious of criticisms that the CDP only attacks the LDP, Kenta Izumi followed up on his questions to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida with policy proposals of his own.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 5, 2021
Omicron throws a wrench in Osaka’s plan to promote 2025 expo in Dubai
Although Japan Day will still take place at the Dubai Expo on Dec. 11, key Japanese officials will be absent, hampering lobbying efforts for the 2025 event in Osaka.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Dec 1, 2021
New CDP leader brings youth and a fresh face but still faces old problems in rebuilding party
Kenta Izumi's relative youth, while providing a fresh look for the CDP, could make dealing with more experienced politicians in the ruling and opposition parties more difficult.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 30, 2021
Japan's main opposition party seeks to rebuild under new leader Kenta Izumi
In the wake of October's electoral defeat and the resignation of its former leader, the CDP must now craft new strategies — and question old alliances.

Longform

Sociologist Gracia Liu-Farrer argues that even though immigration doesn't figure into Japan's autobiography, it is more of a self-perception than a reality.
In search of the ‘Japanese dream’