author

 
 
 Eric Johnston

Meta

Eric Johnston
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE
Jan 24, 2016
Barring the unforeseen, Kyoto's dwindling voters look set to keep kimono-clad mayor
Given Kyoto's prosperous domestic and international tourism industry, the mayoral election on Feb. 7 is widely expected to be an easy win for incumbent Daisaku Kadokawa, 65, who is backed by the Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito and the Democratic Party of Japan.
Japan Times
JAPAN / View from Osaka
Jan 16, 2016
Osaka Ishin walks a tightrope under its big top
Does the fate of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's efforts (at least in the Diet) to revise the Constitution lie in Osaka?
JAPAN
Jan 15, 2016
Osaka assembly passes nation's first ordinance against hate speech
The city of Osaka passed the nation's first ordinance by a major city against hate speech late Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 12, 2016
Mayoral candidates in Okinawa face off over U.S. base
Less than two weeks remain until a local election that may influence both the planned relocation of the Futenma military base and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's effort to secure a two-thirds majority in this summer's Upper House election.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 6, 2016
Impact on Japan from Saudi-Iranian strife likely to be minimal; mediator role possible: experts
Middle East experts say the execution of a senior Shiite cleric by Saudi Arabia will have minimal economic effect on Japan.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 28, 2015
Governor and mayor push for Osaka to become Japan's vice capital
Osaka Gov. Ichiro Matsui and Osaka Mayor Hirofumi Yoshimura took the first step Monday toward realizing their dream of making Osaka the nation's second — or vice — capital.
Japan Times
JAPAN / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE
Dec 27, 2015
Fukui defies critics of nuclear evacuation plan
Last week's approval by Fukui Gov. Issei Nishikawa to restart two Takahama nuclear reactors, followed by the Fukui District Court's lifting of a provisional injunction, means Japan will soon fire up its third and fourth reactors since 2012.
JAPAN / Politics / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE
Dec 27, 2015
Hashimoto factor keeps political pundits on edge of their seats
Well, that didn't take long. Less than 24 hours after finishing as Osaka mayor, Toru Hashimoto met with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Dec. 19.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 24, 2015
Fukui court lifts injunction on Takahama reactor restarts
The Fukui District Court overturns an injunction against restarting two reactors at the Takahama nuclear plant, clearing them to become the third and fourth to resume operation.
Japan Times
JAPAN / NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Dec 20, 2015
Summit preparations to increase security, but for whom?
Last month's terror attacks in Paris and the closely timed suicide bombings in Beirut have raised fears in Japan of a similar attack to unprecedented levels. With Japan hosting next year's Group of Seven leaders' summit in Mie Prefecture, and a host of smaller ministerial conferences elsewhere around...
JAPAN / View from Osaka
Dec 19, 2015
Curtain finally falls on the 'Toru Hashimoto Show'
"Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated."
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 18, 2015
Hashimoto's political career pauses, for now
The curtain came down on Toru Hashimoto's nearly eight-year political career Friday, with the Osaka mayor finishing his term in office.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 17, 2015
Subs, politics, China ties swirl as Australian leader visits Japan
The top item on the agenda is expected to be reaching an agreement with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on closer defense cooperation.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 16, 2015
Kyoto mayoral election a testing ground for Ishin
In a first local test for the newly formed Osaka Ishin no Kai national political party, a mayoral candidate in Kyoto on Tuesday won the support of Kyoto Ishin no Kai, a small group that aims to secure the backing of Osaka Ishin.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 14, 2015
Hashimoto passes Ishin no Kai mantle to Mitsui ahead of last day in office
With Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto's last day in office coming on Friday, Osaka Ishin no Kai, the national political party he also provisionally led, now faces life in the post-Hashimoto era.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 10, 2015
Ise braces for tourism boom following G-7
On an early weekday afternoon at the shops lined up in front of JR Ise station, business was fairly brisk.
JAPAN
Dec 3, 2015
Takahama mayor approves Kepco reactor restarts, yet court injunction remains
Yutaka Nose, mayor of Takahama, Fukui Prefecture, agreed Thursday to a restart of Kansai Electric Power Co.'s Takahama No. 3 and No. 4 nuclear reactors, saying he made his decision after consultations on safety issues with the central government.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 2, 2015
Matsui lines up Osaka Ishin no To leadership before Hashimoto steps down as mayor
With just over two weeks until Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto's term ends on Dec. 18, Osaka Gov. Ichiro Matsui has called for a general meeting of his breakaway Osaka Ishin no To (with Osaka in hiragana) national party to elect new leaders.
JAPAN / Society
Nov 30, 2015
City assembly member in hot water over discriminatory tweets about same-sex marriage
Municipal assembly leaders in Ebina, Kanagawa Prefecture, issue a warning to a 71-year-old assemblyman over discriminatory remarks about gay marriage.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Nov 28, 2015
Is Tokyo killing the rest of Japan?
The overconcentration of people and resources in the capital could be holding back the remainder of the country.

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?