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April 06, 2025
 

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Eric Johnston

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Eric Johnston
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jun 11, 2020
The North Korean abduction issue in Japan: When will the waiting end?
The Japanese government officially claims 17 Japanese nationals were abducted, but adds that there could be more than 800 others.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 5, 2020
As George Floyd marches loom, do's and don'ts for protesting in Japan
Compared with many parts of the world, Japanese protest rallies are quite orderly and peaceful.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jun 4, 2020
Japan's smart cities: Technological dreams or 'Big Brother' nightmares?
Late last month, the Diet passed a revised bill paving the way for so-called “super cities” or “smart cities.” Supporters tout them as high-tech marvels where artificial intelligence and big data are to be used to provide more efficient and cost-effective solutions to social problems, especially...
JAPAN
Jun 2, 2020
Osaka introduces QR contact tracing system as bars and restaurants reopen
Users who scan the code at establishments will be notified if another patron is later found to have become infected.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jun 2, 2020
Japan's new space squadron takes a giant leap forward
The realization of Japan's first space squadron marks a large step forward for the nation's space ambitions at a time when, due to an increased number of satellite launches, the Earth's near space is more crowded than ever.
JAPAN / Society / EXPLAINER
May 31, 2020
Aomori's Rokkasho nuclear plant gets green light but hurdles remain
Construction on the massive facility, which began in 1993, has been plagued by delays over the years.
JAPAN
May 23, 2020
Aichi and Mie governors urge continued restraint on cross-prefectural travel
“I want everyone to be strict about refraining from unnecessary travel back and forth to other prefectures,” Aichi Gov. Hideaki Omura said.
JAPAN
May 22, 2020
Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo residents ambivalent about lifting emergency
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also offered praise for the business-minded 'Osaka model' Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura drafted to bounce back from the virus.
JAPAN
May 20, 2020
Local leaders prepare anti-coronavirus measures at natural disaster evacuation shelters
June traditionally marks the start of the rainy season in most of Japan, while typhoons normally start to arrive in August.
JAPAN / View from Osaka
May 16, 2020
Can Osaka's governor inspire change before he gets 'hammered down'?
There are several reasons, some unique to Osaka and the Kansai region, that account for the governor's newfound popularity.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 16, 2020
Withdrawal by Las Vegas Sands a major setback for Japan's casino efforts
The decision comes as doubts grow about whether integrated resorts can be opened in Japan within the next few years.
JAPAN
May 15, 2020
Kansai fears virus relapse as Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo blaze own trails
Despite regional concerns in Kansai, Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo are going their own way on reviving their economies amid the coronavirus pandemic.
JAPAN / Politics / EXPLAINER
May 13, 2020
Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura: From man of the hour to future prime minister?
Over the past few weeks, the governor has gone from being a locally liked politician to a national media darling.
JAPAN
May 7, 2020
Osaka governor draws rebuke from Tokyo for hinting at lack of guidance
Gov. Yoshimura's choice of words has been criticized by minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, who is also in charge of overseeing virus containment measures.
JAPAN / Politics
May 5, 2020
Should Japan vote during the pandemic?
The political class grapples with whether elections should be held amid the deadly public health crisis.
JAPAN
May 4, 2020
Governor moves to get Osaka back in business by mid-May despite pandemic
Despite the state of emergency, the governor appears eager to get businesses reopened before the government's expected extension ends.
JAPAN / Politics / EXPLAINER
May 3, 2020
Necessary or not? The LDP's proposed emergency powers clause for the Constitution
73 years since the Constitution took effect, arguments on revising it have focused on the war-renouncing Article 9. But the coronavirus has prompted a different proposal.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Apr 30, 2020
LDP secretary-general: The power behind the PM
Those in the position are de facto the most powerful person within the party after its president.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Apr 28, 2020
Odd couple: LDP-Komeito political marriage faces testing times
Power struggles in Abe's party could further strain the two-decades-old coalition in the weeks to come
JAPAN
Apr 19, 2020
Lack of aid guarantees divides prefectures over emergency business closures
The possibility of closures has prompted concerns that without financial guarantees from the central government, the impact could devastate local economies.
3D printer used to construct train station building in Japan
A train station building (front) is assembled from parts printed using 3D printer technology, in Arida, Wakayama Prefecture, on Wednesday.
Nissan says it will not take new U.S. orders for Mexican-built Infiniti SUVs
A Nissan manufacturing complex in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Nissan says it will not take new orders from the United States for two Mexican-built Infiniti SUVs following new auto tariffs levied by the U.S.
Japan digs deep to address 'national crisis' caused by Trump tariffs
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks during a news conference at the Prime Minister's Office on April 1. He has said that Japan is facing a "national crisis" following the introduction of new tariffs by the United States.
Tokyo’s KK Line to close for decadelong overhaul as public greenway
People enjoy running and yoga on Tokyo Expressway’s KK Line, a 2-kilometer elevated expressway cutting through the capital’s commercial Ginza district, when it was opened as a pedestrian space in May last year.
Japan promises 'bold and speedy' response to Trump’s surprise 24% tariffs
U.S. President Donald Trump unveils new U.S. tariffs at the White House in Washington on Wednesday.
Tottori takes a bold leap forward in the arts
The city of Kurayoshi in Tottori Prefecture celebrated the opening of its public art museum with festivities such as a parade that drew 1,000 revelers.
Haruki Murakami TV adaptation revisits 30 years of watershed moments
Though Haruki Murakami's trademark whiff of offbeat existentialism is threaded throughout NHK's "After the Quake," the final episode — conceived as a sequel to the story "Super-Frog Saves Tokyo" — is the most stylized, featuring an anthropomorphic talking frog (voiced by Non) and his erstwhile associate Katagiri (Koichi Sato).
Nintendo to launch the Switch 2 on June 5
The controllers for the Switch 2 will attach to the console magnetically rather than sliding on rails as with the original device.
A new human trafficking trend emerges from Myanmar scam centers
Victims of scam centers who were tricked or trafficked into working in Myanmar gather at a compound inside KK Park, a fraud center on the country's border with Thailand, after a multinational crackdown in February.
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.

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

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