Eric Johnston - The Japan Times

JAPAN / Politics

Aug 22, 2019

Japan and G7 peers brace for fractious summit in France

Japanese media outlets had reported that this year's G7 was unlikely to issue a joint statement for the first time in its history.

JAPAN / View from Osaka

Aug 17, 2019

For Kyoto, international meeting of museum directors and creators is an opportunity to learn

From Sept. 1 to 7, Kyoto will host thousands of museum directors, curators and art historians from Japan and around the world for the general assembly meeting of the Paris-based International Council of Museums (ICOM).

BUSINESS

Aug 9, 2019

Casino resort frontrunner MGM says winning and building Osaka facility by 2025 is tough but doable

Over the next few months, the government is expected to debate the structure of a new regulatory committee that will oversee so-called integrated resort complexes containing casinos and draft a basic policy specifying the selection criteria for such facilities.

JAPAN

Aug 9, 2019

Shizuoka throws wrench in the works of Tokyo-Nagoya maglev shinkansen route

The current plan for the Tokyo-Nagoya maglev route, currently under construction, calls for Central Japan Railway Co. to begin operations by around 2027. The route will slash a trip between Nagoya and Shinagawa, which takes about 90 minutes on the fastest bullet trains today, to just 40 minutes.

JAPAN

Aug 9, 2019

Is Nara's future tied to a proposed maglev shinkansen route?

Although Nara has become a favorite of international tourists in recent years, the city, which served as the nation's ancient capital from 710 to 784, has historically been a bit off the beaten path.

JAPAN / Beyond Tokyo

Jul 26, 2019

In pursuit of a sustainable society, Nagano turns to AI to help craft policy

When times are good, there is less political pressure at the local level anywhere to be economically efficient or carefully scrutinize predictions that a new public works project or expensive industrial or tourism promotion scheme will lead to prosperity in 20 or 30 years.

JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS

Jul 22, 2019

Abe's push to amend Japan's Constitution faces uncertain future after Upper House vote

Undaunted by the failure to capture a two-thirds supermajority in the upper chamber, Abe pushes on with his goal to rewrite the charter, with an eye on Article 9.

JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS

Jul 21, 2019

After Upper House election, ruling bloc bets political cost of tax hike will be limited

The hike is expected to generate an additional u00a55.7 trillion in annual revenue, of which u00a52.8 trillion will be used to defray the national debt.

JAPAN / View from Osaka

Jul 20, 2019

Four Kansai issues stirring up Upper House election

While the sensitive issue of constitutional revision and the looming consumption tax hike to 10 percent in October dominate media discussion of what's important in the Upper House election Sunday, there are other problems and issues, some especially acute in the Kansai region, that shouldn't be forgotten....

JAPAN / Politics

Jul 17, 2019

Ahead of Upper House vote, Komeito and Abe remain apart on revision of pacifist Constitution

While Prime Minister Abe touts constitutional revision as the focal point of Sunday's election, that topic is conspicuously absent from campaign speeches by the LDP's coalition partner, Komeito.

JAPAN / Beyond Tokyo

Jul 5, 2019

After G20 role, Nagano resort town of Karuizawa looks to lead way in green tech and energy

The Nagano Prefecture resort town of Karuizawa has long been associated with green, natural energy.

JAPAN / ANALYSIS

Jun 30, 2019

G20 world leaders agree on some issues, but significant gaps remain following Osaka summit

World leaders attending the Group of 20 summit in Osaka reached consensus on a number of topics but failed to come to an agreement on others.

JAPAN / Politics

Jun 29, 2019

G20 leaders make progress on trade and investment in Osaka; members minus the U.S. reaffirm Paris climate goals

The Group of 20 summit concludes with promises to work toward trade and investment that is free, fair, nondiscriminatory, transparent, predictable, stable and for open markets.

JAPAN

Jun 28, 2019

Tensions simmer at G20 summit in Osaka over trade and climate change

As host, Japan begins the task of forging agreements on climate change, protectionism and multilateral forums like the Group of 20 itself as dozens of leaders converge on Osaka.

JAPAN

Jun 27, 2019

Hong Kong extradition opponents in Osaka protest legislation ahead of G20, asking for U.K. and U.S. help

About 40 Hong Kong residents and Japanese gathered Thursday evening in central Osaka to protest extradition legislation that would allow Hong Kong residents to be sent to mainland China to face trial.

JAPAN / G20 Osaka Summit Special

Jun 27, 2019

G20 host has work cut out for it in creating consensus

One of the largest and most important gatherings of world leaders outside the U.N. General Assembly — the Group of 20 Leaders' Summit — arrives in Japan for the first time ever this week, bringing with it over 30 presidents, prime ministers and leaders from international organizations.

JAPAN / G20 Osaka Summit Special

Jun 27, 2019

Japan weighs strategy after shocking climate report

In October 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a report that sent shock waves around the globe. The world's leading body of climate scientists warned that there might be only 12 years left to ensure global warming is kept to a rise of 1.5 degrees Celsius. Beyond that,...

JAPAN

Jun 26, 2019

Activists urge G20 leaders to make sure underrepresented voices aren't marginalized

Social activists and NGO representatives from Osaka and beyond called on Japan and Group of 20 leaders Wednesday to ensure input from the public is included in their deliberations.

JAPAN / G20 Osaka

Jun 26, 2019

Odds of sweeping deal slim, Japan to use Osaka G20 to tackle plastic waste problem one step at a time

When international delegates arrived at Karuizawa Station for the Group of 20 environment ministers' meeting earlier this month, they were greeted by local schoolchildren, bilingual volunteers — and a wild boar the size of an elephant.

JAPAN / Politics / G20 Osaka

Jun 24, 2019

For G20 host Abe, election hopes ride on summit success

The agreement leaders reach at the Osaka meeting, which comes at a critical time politically, could impact the domestic fortunes of the prime minister.

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