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 Eric Johnston

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Eric Johnston
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
May 18, 2015
Osaka referendum causes turbulence for LDP, Komeito
Many in Japan's political world are asking themselves what the effect of Sunday's referendum in Osaka will be, and whether it will indeed mark the end of Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto's political career.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 17, 2015
Hashimoto announces exit from politics after Osaka rejects merger plan in referendum
Osaka voters rejected a referendum proposal Sunday to merge the city into five semi-autonomous wards, dealing a crippling blow to Mayor Toru Hashimoto.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 17, 2015
Osakans cast ballots in historic referendum
Osaka voters head to the polls in a historic plebiscite that will decide the future structure of the city government.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
May 16, 2015
Is Japan becoming extinct?
The projected drop in the country's population raises some fundamental questions about its political and social future.
JAPAN / View from Osaka
May 16, 2015
Osaka's 'win-win' merger may leave the people lost
In a historic first, Osaka municipal voters go to the polls today to vote on a referendum that, if approved, will divide the city into five semi-autonomous wards.
JAPAN / Politics
May 15, 2015
Opinion polls go wild on eve of Osaka merger referendum
As Sunday's unprecedented referendum on Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto's merger plan approaches, opinion polls show that voters are still wavering.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 10, 2015
Writers in Kyoto offers expats a forum to discuss state of publishing in Japan
Those who love the English language and the written word have always found like-minded souls to associate with, formally or informally, in cities where English-speaking expats and immigrants are located. In Japan, though, once one is outside Tokyo, such gatherings are rare.
JAPAN / Politics
May 7, 2015
187 scholars urge Abe to address Japan's wartime history
An international group of scholars of Japanese and East Asian studies have called on Tokyo to accurately address the country's history of colonial rule and wartime actions.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 28, 2015
Shiga Prefecture mulls name change to draw more visitors
What's in a name? For Shiga Prefecture, it's a question of identity, and one that residents will have a formal opportunity to consider changing next month.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 28, 2015
Bataan Death March survivors in U.S. call on Abe to acknowledge wartime atrocities
As Prime Minister Shinzo Abe prepares to address the U.S. Congress in a highly anticipated speech on Wednesday local time, what he says about Japan's wartime past — and how he says it — is foremost on the minds of many, particularly in East Asia.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 27, 2015
Osaka merger referendum gets underway
An unprecedented referendum campaign on the future of the city of Osaka kicked off Monday with appeals from Mayor Toru Hashimoto's Osaka Ishin no Kai (One Osaka) and from the major established political parties, which all oppose him.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE
Apr 26, 2015
Unlike elections, referendums are a PR free-for-all
With less than three weeks until the May 17 referendum on whether to consolidate the city of Osaka into five semi-autonomous wards, supporters and opponents of the plan are engaged in an intense and unprecedented media and public relations campaign to win over voters.
Japan Times
JAPAN / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE
Apr 26, 2015
Cycling the Kyoto maze could get easier
As Kyoto residents know, bicycles are the best way to get around the congested city, which is taking steps to make it more amenable to foreign cyclists.
JAPAN / View from Osaka
Apr 18, 2015
Mind the gap: Nara election reveals voter values
In the wake of last Sunday's local elections, big city political reporters were quick to see the results as (1) a mandate for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe; and (2) a disaster for the Democratic Party of Japan.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Apr 16, 2015
Takahama nuclear restart injunction polarizing
A provisional injunction handed down Tuesday by the Fukui District Court against the restarting of Kansai Electric Power Co.'s Takahama No. 3 and 4 reactors is a boost to opponents of nuclear power, even as the decision draws criticism from senior politicians, nuclear regulators, Kepco, and pro-nuclear...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Apr 14, 2015
Fukui court forbids Takahama nuclear plant restart
A Fukui court issues an injunction to prevent two NRA-cleared reactors at the Takahama nuclear plant from being restarted, citing doubtful quake-simulation data.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Apr 13, 2015
Hashimoto keeps head up despite subpar poll results
Toru Hashimoto's Osaka Ishin no Kai (One Osaka) and his opponents in the established parties saw mixed results from Sunday's prefectural and municipal assembly elections, but the Osaka mayor insisted Monday he will continue to look forward, not backward.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 12, 2015
Hashimoto's party set to retain edge in Osaka
Toru Hashimoto and his Osaka Ishin no Kai (One Osaka) group are likely to remain the largest party in the municipal and prefectural chambers after Sunday's elections.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 10, 2015
Local Osaka elections pit Hashimoto against LDP, Komeito
As voters head to the first round of the unified nationwide local elections Sunday, a lack of candidates in the prefectural and municipal assembly races means incumbents in many districts are running unopposed.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / LOCAL POLLS '15
Apr 10, 2015
Voters in Saga face small candidate field, big issues
Saga is stuck with a paucity of candidates in the unified elections this month even as issues with both national and local implications stalk the ballot.

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