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 Eric Johnston

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Eric Johnston
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / EXPLAINER
Dec 15, 2020
Heavyweight Nikai and his scandal-plagued LDP faction ruffling feathers
Allegations of bribery against two former farm ministers now threaten to weaken the Liberal Democratic Party's largest faction and its powerful leader.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Dec 14, 2020
Japan set to approve new ships and missiles but defer legal questions
Two new destroyers will fill the gap left by a canceled deployment of Aegis Ashore, while improved missiles will offer the ability to strike from beyond the range of enemies.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Explainer
Dec 9, 2020
Oi ruling could signal trouble ahead for nuclear reactor restart plans
An Osaka court has stunned the nuclear power industry with a ruling saying Kepco's calculations for standards involving earthquake safety were flawed.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / EXPLAINER
Dec 8, 2020
In shift, Toyota unions seek ties with Japan's ruling bloc
The groups' move toward Komeito and the LDP could hurt opposition candidates from the CDP and other parties.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 6, 2020
Osaka governor to ask SDF to send nurses for COVID-19 patients amid shortages
The prefecture is expected to make a request early this week to the SDF to provide as many nurses as it can for a 30-bed temporary emergency facility for seriously ill coronavirus patients.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / EXPLAINER
Nov 29, 2020
Cherry blossom scandal returns to haunt Abe and Suga
Allegations that the former prime minister's office illegally paid out over u00a59 million to make up the costs of parties at Tokyo hotels are now being investigated by prosecutors.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Nov 27, 2020
Shorter hours begin in Osaka nightlife areas amid COVID-19 surge
Restaurants and bars still operating had hoped the usual December bu014dnenkai parties would provide a much-needed boost.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / EXPLAINER
Nov 23, 2020
Behind scenes, Japanese and South Korean lawmakers work to heal ties
As the two countries continue to have differences over historical issues, these groups play an important role in out-of-sight diplomacy.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society / EXPLAINER
Nov 18, 2020
As nuclear worries linger, Tohoku plant heads for landmark restart
The restart, the first in the northeast, comes amidst controversial restarts in the country's west and debates over the energy source's role in a carbon neutral target.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / EXPLAINER
Nov 15, 2020
What does RCEP mean for Japan and its Asian neighbors?
On Sunday, 15 nations in the Asia-Pacific region signed the world's newest multilateral trade deal, the massive Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / View from Osaka
Nov 14, 2020
Osaka Ishin and Nippon Ishin must adapt or risk extinction
Despite polls showing Osaka Ishin remains popular that the anti-merger faction won by only 17,000 votes of over 1.37 million cast, the party and its movement are in deep trouble.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / EXPLAINER
Nov 12, 2020
What the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy brings to Suga's table
Powerful advisory group is now the administration's 'command center' for economic and strategy debates.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 3, 2020
Japan looks to past ties with Trump and Biden for glimpses of the future
Tuesday's U.S. presidential election is being watched closely in Tokyo by those keen to anticipate its impact on the direction of bilateral relations in years to come.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 2, 2020
Osaka referendum defeat raises questions about future of city's politics
The focus for many in local political party Osaka Ishin no Kai is now on how — or even if — they can continue under a new generation of leadership.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 1, 2020
Osaka voters say no to merger. Again.
The referendum defeat dealt a heavy blow to the Osaka Ishin no Kai local political group, with Mayor Ichiro Matsui vowing to retire at the end of his term.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 28, 2020
Two LDP factions face uncertain future after losing race to Suga
The status of Shigeru Ishiba's group is up in the air, while Fumio Kishida is exploring mergers with other factions to bolster his chances of becoming prime minister.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 25, 2020
U.N. nuke ban treaty to enter effect Jan. 22, heaping pressure on Japan to join
Tokyo has so far resisted domestic and international calls to join, saying a pact without the participation of nuclear powers was not practical.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society / EXPLAINER
Oct 21, 2020
Japan looks to clamp down on illicit outflow of famous food products
Seeds being sold abroad without permission represents threat to intellectual property rights, but opposition says LDP's bill would simply hurt Japan's farmers.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 19, 2020
Could reform mission put Taro Kono on path to succeed Suga?
Driving reforms is giving the media- and social media-savvy 57-year-old the opportunity to raise his political profile by playing to his strengths. Will it be enough?
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / View from Osaka
Oct 17, 2020
Osaka merger would affect residents and outsiders alike
The planned move to merge the city's administrative wards could give officials more freedom to attract tourists and businesses.

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