Eric Johnston - The Japan Times

BUSINESS / Economy

Feb 8, 2019

Kansai execs have big dreams of transport projects ahead of G20, Osaka Expo and possible casino

With the 2025 World Expo secured for Yumeshima district in Osaka Bay and growing confidence the man-made island will also host one of Japan's first casino resorts, Kansai's business leaders are stepping up efforts to win local approval and central government funding for major transportation infrastructure...

JAPAN / View from Osaka

Feb 7, 2019

University in Osaka aims to hone hotel staff with omotenashi to serve Japan's foreign guests

One of the key factors driving Japan's unprecedented tourism boom is its culture of hospitality — epitomized by the concept of omotenashi, which can be roughly translated as "wholeheartedly looking after guests."

BUSINESS / Economy

Feb 6, 2019

With the G20 facing numerous challenges, do the summit's engagement groups have the answers?

In the run-up to the Group of Twenty Leaders’ Summit in Osaka in late June, several related meetings of what are known as engagement groups are scheduled to take place in Tokyo and around the country. One of the more influential engagement groups is T20, or Think 20, whose members include influential...

JAPAN

Feb 4, 2019

Gender, aging and climate to feature at Osaka G20, but Japan wants strong message on stable global growth

As host of this year's Group of 20 leaders' summit, a key official said Monday that Japan's most important task will be to chair a gathering that concludes with a strong message promoting stable worldwide economic growth.

JAPAN

Jan 30, 2019

U.S. OKs planned $2.15 billion sale of two Aegis Ashore missile-defense systems to Japan

The U.S. agreed Tuesday to sell two Aegis Ashore missile-defense systems and other military equipment to Japan at an estimated cost of $2.15 billion.

JAPAN / EXPLAINER

Jan 28, 2019

Japan-U.S. law enforcement fingerprint data-sharing pact kicks off, raising privacy concerns

Earlier this month, Japan and the United States began sharing fingerprint data among their law enforcement agencies under a bilateral agreement.

JAPAN / Society / Beyond Tokyo

Jan 27, 2019

Japan's aging hunters look for fresh blood to solve boar woes

When the world rang in 2019, it also prepared to usher in the Year of the Boar. But in Sasayama, a picturesque, historical city of about 42,000 nestled in rural Hyogo Prefecture about an hour by train from Osaka Station, the wild boar is a symbol of pride, part of a famous local dish and a bane to farmers....

JAPAN / View from Osaka

Jan 20, 2019

A Japanese city plans to ban plastic shopping bags, but can it push its larger neighbors to follow suit?

International concern over the environmental damage done by the use of plastic in various forms is now the topic of political and economic discussions across the planet. Dealing with plastic waste, especially in the ocean, is one of the long-term issues that Japan has promised to address at this year's...

JAPAN

Jan 17, 2019

Osaka officials meet residents near G20 site to discuss traffic restrictions and other measures ahead of June meeting

Residents near the venue for the June 28-29 Group of 20 leaders' summit will face traffic restrictions immediately before and after the meeting, Osaka officials said Wednesday evening, but the exact measures are still being worked out.

JAPAN / Politics

Jan 9, 2019

New Year's party skipped as tensions run high between Osaka's ruling coalition partners

As Osaka enters 2019 with a full political schedule, including local and national elections and the Group of 20 Leaders' Summit, relations between ruling coalition partners Komeito and Osaka Ishin no Kai (One Osaka), a local political party, remain tense, creating potential political problems in both...

JAPAN / Society

Jan 9, 2019

Abe's plan to battle Japan's regional brain drain draws mixed reviews

Like other major cities around the world, Tokyo acts as a magnet for the rest of the country, attracting people whose energy and talents spark new businesses and forms of art and culture, which, in turn, attract even more people.

JAPAN / Politics

Dec 26, 2018

Osaka Gov. Ichiro Matsui reveals deal with Komeito to hold referendum on merging city wards

Osaka Gov. Ichiro Matsui revealed Wednesday that his Osaka Ishin no Kai (One Osaka) political group had signed a deal with Komeito, in April 2017, to hold a referendum on merging the city's wards during the current terms of the prefectural and municipal assembly members, which expire in April 2019.

JAPAN / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE

Dec 23, 2018

Most Kyoto firms have no plans to add foreign workers, survey finds

The government may be planning to bring in nearly 345,000 foreign workers by 2023, but in Kyoto, a recent survey shows most firms outside the hospitality sector have no plans to discuss adding overseas laborers to their workforce.

JAPAN / Politics / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE

Dec 23, 2018

With six months to go until G20 summit in Osaka, Japan sets out its agenda

With six months to go until the Group of 20 summit in Osaka, the basic agenda has been set for discussion on issues of global importance.

JAPAN / View from Osaka

Dec 15, 2018

From G20 to 2025 Expo, many challenges lay ahead for Kansai

In the moments after Osaka was awarded the 2025 World Expo on the early morning of Nov. 24, there was jubilation, back-slapping, and wide smiles. More than a few eyes glittered at the thought of what senior business leaders hoped would be a major cash cow. You could almost hear the clicking of soroban...

JAPAN

Dec 11, 2018

Osaka officials kick off preparations for 2025 World Expo

Within weeks of being awarded the event, Osaka leaders on Tuesday kicked off preparations for the 2025 World Expo.

JAPAN

Dec 11, 2018

Japan's two Aegis Ashore anti-missile candidate sites run into local opposition

Located in northwestern Honshu on the Sea of Japan coast, Akita Prefecture has long been thought of in Tokyo and especially western Japan as remote — part of poet Matsuo Basho's famed "The Narrow Road to the Deep North."

JAPAN

Nov 28, 2018

Japan gets mixed assessment from U.N. over efforts to curb greenhouse gases

The United Nations warned Tuesday that current national commitments to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions are insufficient to meet a 2030 reduction goal, and that unprecedented and urgent action is required by all nations — especially from members of the Group of 20 — to ensure global warming...

JAPAN / Politics

Nov 26, 2018

Citing G20 security issues, Osaka shuts down over 80% of private lodging operations

Between June and September, over 80 percent of Osaka minpaku private lodgings have been ordered closed by the city, Osaka Mayor Hirofumi Yoshimura said earlier this month.

JAPAN / Politics / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE

Nov 26, 2018

Time running out for Osaka leaders seeking to push city-prefecture integration plan

When Osaka Gov. Ichiro Matsui and Osaka Mayor Hirofumi Yoshimura left for Paris early last week for one final lobbying effort for the 2025 World Expo, they left behind a city and prefecture that remain deeply divided over their most basic political goal — the integration of Osaka Prefecture and the...

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