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 Eric Johnston

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Eric Johnston
JAPAN
Feb 19, 2018
Japan falling behind global leaders in renewable energy use, panel warns in report
Japan is falling behind other leading countries in renewable energy use, while its promotion of coal-fired plants risks hindering the competitiveness of domestic firms in a global market more concerned than ever about carbon emissions.
Japan Times
JAPAN / View from Osaka
Feb 17, 2018
Kansai executives offer advice on improving nation's diplomacy
'Track II diplomacy" is the official neutral-sounding phrase used to refer to diplomatic efforts by "nonstate" actors. In thriller films and books, it's usually portrayed as a game of shadows between powerful but mysterious groups and individuals who may, or may not, be working to save the world.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 14, 2018
Shimane Prefecture group delivers petition to Gov. Zenbei Mizoguchi opposing restart of Matsue reactor
A Shimane Prefecture-based citizens group delivered a petition signed by nearly 48,000 people opposed to the restart of a local nuclear reactor to Gov. Zenbei Mizoguchi on Tuesday.
BUSINESS
Feb 9, 2018
Kansai business leaders seek nationwide support for World Expo bid
Kansai-area corporate leaders urged the local business community on Friday to boost efforts to promote Osaka's bid to host the World Expo 2025, and called on Tokyo to be more involved in the process.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 5, 2018
Election victory in Nago seen as LDP win but new mayor may prove tough to crack
Sunday's victory in the Nago mayoral election by a candidate who appears to favor the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to the city's Henoko district is widely seen as a political victory for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and a defeat for anti-base advocates in Okinawa, starting with Gov....
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 5, 2018
Incumbent Nago Mayor Susumu Inamine falls in closely watched Okinawa election
In a political victory for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and a defeat for anti-U.S. base forces in Okinawa, incumbent Nago Mayor Susumu Inamine failed in his re-election bid Sunday night, losing to a candidate strongly backed by Abe's Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito.
JAPAN
Feb 2, 2018
Tokyo takes more steps to deal with Sanchi oil spill
Japan steps up measures to deal with what has been described as potentially one of the worst oil spills in decades before it taints Kyushu and Okinawa.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 30, 2018
Gifu election loss bad news for potential LDP challenger to Abe
The loss by a ruling party candidate in Gifu's mayoral election over the weekend has spurred speculation that the outcome may deal a blow to a potential successor to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 25, 2018
Kansai business lobby calls for new diplomatic initiatives to strengthen ties with other Asian nations
One of the Kansai region's leading business lobby groups has called for new diplomatic initiatives to strengthen Japan's relations with other Asian nations, in a bid to reduce regional tensions and consider a defense policy more independent of the present close ties to the United States.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 24, 2018
Okinawa governor expresses anger after third U.S. military helicopter makes precautionary landing in the prefecture
“The U.S. military is out of control. They can't exercise any oversight, there are no signs they will reform,” said Okinawa's governor after another American helicopter made an emergency landing.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 23, 2018
Osaka watching closely as Paris moves closer to withdrawing World Expo bid
Osaka reacted with cautious optimism as Paris moved closer to officially withdrawing its bid to host the 2025 World Expo, leaving only Osaka, Azerbaijan's Baku and Russia's Ekaterinburg in a three-way race to be decided in November by the Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions (BIE).
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 22, 2018
Osaka cautiously optimistic after French media report say Paris will pull 2025 Expo bid
Supporters of the Osaka 2025 World Expo bid have long seen Paris as their main rival.
Japan Times
JAPAN / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE
Jan 21, 2018
Japan's Kansai region abuzz over chance to host G-20 and climate gatherings in 2019
2018 has just begun, but Osaka and Kyoto are already looking ahead to 2019, when the prospect of hosting two major international conferences has the local political and business circles excited.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 21, 2018
Fukui weighs new wave of reactors to protect status as Japan's 'nuclear capital'
With 13 commercial nuclear reactors — more than any other prefecture — Fukui has long been Japan's nuclear power capital. Prior to the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and triple core meltdown at the Fukushima No. 1 plant, Fukui's plants provided up to half of Kansai's electricity.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 20, 2018
Residents and expats in Kansai mark Trump inauguration anniversary with protest march
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Japan Times
JAPAN / View from Osaka
Jan 20, 2018
Journalism tied to those in power must be checked
"If everyone is thinking alike, then no one is thinking."
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 18, 2018
Nippon Ishin no Kai leader and Osaka Gov. Ichiro Matsui files suit against Niigata Gov. Ryuichi Yoneyama over Twitter comments
Matsui demanded an explanation after Yoneyama made a reference on Twitter to a Nippon Ishin leader who attacks party members voicing different opinions, forcing them to be obedient.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 12, 2018
Pew survey gauges Japanese confidence in media coverage at 65%
A survey by a U.S. think tank finds the majority of Japanese think the domestic media are doing at least “somewhat well” on accuracy.
JAPAN
Jan 9, 2018
Kansai Electric denies it plans to ship nuclear waste from Fukui plants to Aomori site
Kansai Electric Power Co. has denied reports earlier this week that it was planning to ship nuclear waste from its Fukui Prefecture plants to the town of Mutsu, Aomori Prefecture, after the idea was opposed by Mutsu Mayor Soichiro Miyashita.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 5, 2018
World Expo 2025: Kansai Economic Federation will open Paris office to directly promote hosting bid
The Kansai Economic Federation will open an office in Paris to directly lobby representatives who will decide the host of the World Expo 2025.

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