author

 
 
 Eric Johnston

Meta

Eric Johnston
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Mar 9, 2022
How Russia quietly built up its military presence in Asia
Japan and its neighbors are pondering what further cooperation between Russia and China could mean for the region.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / EXPLAINER
Mar 3, 2022
Japan’s oil stockpiles come into spotlight following Russia's invasion of Ukraine
The IAE, of which Japan is a member, decided to release 60 million barrels of oil reserves as a step toward stabilizing global oil markets, which have been rattled by the war in Ukraine.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Explainer
Mar 1, 2022
As tensions in East Asia mount, Japan looks to beef up Okinawa defense
Due to China's growing regional assertiveness, momentum behind the deployment of SDF forces to the Nansei Islands, and Ishigaki in particular, has grown.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 28, 2022
Following Ukraine invasion, Japan takes much tougher line on Russia
Sanctions announced by Kishida contrast with Tokyo's approach after Moscow annexed Crimea in 2014, when negotiations over contested islands off Hokkaido were a top priority.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Feb 24, 2022
Kishida at odds with other LDP members over COVID-19 and foreign policy
With media polls showing Kishida's support rate is declining, questions about who is in charge — the prime minister or his party — are growing.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 14, 2022
Osaka holds off on emergency request amid signs cases are peaking
The central government is expected to extend the prefecture's quasi-emergency, but a state of emergency request will only be issued if cases go up in the future.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 10, 2022
Calls for Japan to relax COVID-19 entry restrictions intensify
Foreign business groups and students have weighed in on the issue, warning of international damage to the country's reputation.
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.

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?