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Eric Johnston

JAPAN / Politics

Nov 11, 2016

Nuclear pact's future could emerge in Abe-Trump talks

Donald Trump's campaign remarks suggesting he'd let Japan develop atomic weapons are likely to complicate talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on renewing the U.S.-Japan nuclear pact.

BUSINESS

Nov 10, 2016

TPP appears dead with Trump heading to White House

The president-elect's mantra of “America first” is likely a death knell for the Pacific trade pact's chances of clearing Congress.

JAPAN / EXPLAINER

Nov 7, 2016

From Operation Tomodachi to Hiroshima visit, exiting Obama viewed favorably in Japan

On Tuesday, the whole world will be watching as Americans choose their next president.

JAPAN

Nov 4, 2016

'Comfort women' demand formal apology, redress for all survivors worldwide

Four former "comfort women" called on the Japanese government Friday to make a formal apology and offer compensation to fellow victims in other countries, while rejecting a December agreement between Japan and South Korea that was designed to permanently settle the issue.

Japan Times

BUSINESS

Nov 4, 2016

China-led RCEP pact could cost U.S. millions of jobs if TPP fails: White House

In an effort to get the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement ratified before a new president and Congress take over next year, the White House Council of Economic Advisors has warned that congressional failure to pass the 12-nation free trade deal means U.S. firms could lose out to China in the Japanese...

JAPAN / Politics

Nov 3, 2016

Aung San Suu Kyi revisits old stomping grounds at Kyoto University, receives honorary doctorate

Democracy icon Suu Kyi pays a nostalgic visit to Kyoto University, where she is awarded an honorary doctorate.

JAPAN / Politics

Nov 3, 2016

Hashimoto to be guest lecturer at Tokyo Gov. Koike's new political school

Nippon Ishin no Kai head and Osaka Gov. Ichiro Matsui confirmed that Toru Hashimoto, the former Osaka governor and mayor who helped found the Ishin movement, will be a speaker at the new political school founded last month by Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike.

JAPAN / Politics

Oct 31, 2016

More Japanese view U.S. as in decline and threat to nation, survey shows

A new study by the Pew Research Center has shown that while 72 percent of Japanese retain a favorable view of the United States, 61 percent see America in decline on the global stage.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Oct 27, 2016

Kyoto lobbies to be destination on Hokuriku Shinkansen Line

Kyoto officials pressed their case this week for routing the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line via Maizuru on the Sea of Japan Coast, a decision that would take the train through Kyoto as well as all Fukui Prefecture towns that host nuclear power plants.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Oct 25, 2016

UNESCO adds 40 km of Kumano Kodo pilgramage routes to World Heritage register

Japan's strained relationship with UNESCO took a positive turn earlier this week after the organization approved the registration of an additional 40 km of the Kumano Kodo routes to its World Heritage register.

JAPAN

Oct 23, 2016

Ancient capitals spar over future train routes as tourism battle heats up

Thanks to new shinkansen lines built over the past years, once off-the-beaten-path cities such as Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, and Otaru, Hokkaido, are having tourism booms, proving high-speed trains can bring more cash to local businesses.

JAPAN / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE

Oct 23, 2016

Osaka bids to rekindle magic of 1970 Expo but taxpayers doubt lofty plan's claims

Like millions of others who attended Osaka's 1970 World Exposition, Kazuhiko Masuda, who was just 10 years old at the time, can still vividly recall it today.

JAPAN / View from Osaka

Oct 15, 2016

Fukui poised to benefit from decision to scrap Monju

Big money pull a million stringsBig money hold the prizeBig money weave a mighty web

Japan Times

JAPAN

Oct 14, 2016

Many of Japan's major historical attractions remain unknown to foreign tourists

Japan as a whole may be attracting record numbers of foreign tourists, but a report by McKinsey & Co. indicates that the four major historical regions of Nara, Kamakura, Nikko and Ise Shrine are almost unknown among Western tourists.

JAPAN / Politics

Oct 8, 2016

Unknown quantity: How the outcome of the presidential election in November could affect Japan-U.S. relations

"Jesus! Where will it end? How low do you have to stoop in this country to be president?" — Hunter S. Thompson, "Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail '72"

JAPAN

Oct 5, 2016

NRA grants aging Mihama reactor 20-year extension

The Nuclear Regulation Authority greenlights extending the life of Kepco's 40-year-old reactor in Mihama, Fukui Prefecture.

JAPAN

Oct 4, 2016

Absence of sunny summer coupled with heavy rains foreshadow lackluster crops

September was one of the wettest and cloudiest months on record for large parts of the country, according to the Meteorological Agency, and local governments are warning that the lack of sunlight and damage from typhoons and heavy rains will likely affect agricultural output.

JAPAN

Oct 4, 2016

Nuclear cash cow Monju now a liability for residents as plant faces ax

In February 1983, Mayor Koichi Takagi of Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture, spoke to residents in the town of Shiga, Ishikawa Prefecture, who were hoping the town would be chosen as the site for a new nuclear power plant.

Japan Times

JAPAN / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE

Sep 25, 2016

Kansai uses subsidies to fill empty homes, but persuading aging population to pull up stakes remains a challenge

Some central Japan prefectures and even cities like Kyoto and Nara are increasingly adopting measures to reduce the number of vacant homes, including via subsidies for owners.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Politics / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE

Sep 25, 2016

New website to help track Diet members' money trails

An Osaka-based nonprofit organization has announced it will create an online group dedicated to letting any member of the public follow politicians' money trails.

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Visitors walk past Sou Fujimoto's Grand Ring, which has been recognized as the largest wooden structure in the world.

Can a World Expo still matter? Japan is about to find out.

By Tomoko Otake

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