Eric Johnston - The Japan Times

JAPAN / EXPLAINER

Apr 6, 2015

Decommissioning aging reactors inevitable, costly

Last month, four utilities announced they would decommission five commercial nuclear reactors that were at least 40 years old, rather than apply for a restart that could extend their operating life another two decades.

JAPAN

Mar 26, 2015

Activists seek public hearings in Shiga on Takahama reactor restarts

Anti-nuclear activists on Thursday urged the governor of Shiga Prefecture to hold formal public hearings on the potential economic, social and environmental risks from two reactors in neighboring Fukui Prefecture that are moving toward restart.

JAPAN / Politics / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE

Mar 22, 2015

Election results in Kansai will weigh on Abe's plans

In Kansai, the outcome of the national unified local elections on April 12 and 26 might change Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's budget and policy priorities.

JAPAN / Politics / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE

Mar 22, 2015

First wave of April elections litmus test for Osaka merger plan

For most prefectures, cities and towns, April's quadrennial unified elections will be the last opportunity for the next few years to vote on local matters.

JAPAN

Mar 21, 2015

Security blanket: Should Japan beef up its anti-terrorism measures?

On Nov. 27, 2005, an unidentified terrorist group attacked the Mihama nuclear power plant on the Japan Sea in Fukui Prefecture, damaging the facility and creating fears of a radiation leak.

JAPAN

Mar 19, 2015

Tunisia attack shatters nation's image among Japanese as safe travel destination

The death of three Japanese and wounding of three others at the hands of armed gunmen wearing military uniforms shattered the image among many Japanese of Tunisia as a comparatively safe tourist destination.

JAPAN / View from Osaka

Mar 14, 2015

Of birds and bugs: journalism in Tokyo and Osaka

One of the first things Tokyoites who relocate to Osaka notice is that, while their favorite mainstream media news source is available in both cities, the tone and often substance of the reporting is different.

JAPAN

Mar 11, 2015

Questions remain over future plan for Japan's aging nuclear plants

While the debate over what to do with Japan's aging nuclear reactors intensifies, one British expert is offering advice on what his country has learned from decommissioning atomic energy plants.

BUSINESS

Mar 5, 2015

Japan, U.S. resume TPP talks but pact's future very much in doubt

Japanese and U.S. officials resumed talks Thursday in Tokyo on the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, but the outcome of the negotiations remains unclear with political difficulties mounting for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and indications of growing opposition to the deal in the U.S.

JAPAN / Politics

Feb 28, 2015

Local Politics: Heading for extinction?

"All politics is local."— former U.S. House Speaker Thomas "Tip" O'Neill

JAPAN

Feb 27, 2015

Takahama assembly to vote on restarting nuclear reactors

The town assembly of Takahama, Fukui Prefecture, which hosts Kansai Electric Power Co.'s Takahama nuclear power plant, will decide by March 20 whether to approve the restart of the plant's No. 3 and 4 reactors, which recently cleared central government inspections.

JAPAN / Politics

Feb 26, 2015

Korean-American activist raps Suga's response to failed lawsuit against 'comfort woman' statue

A Korean-American leader in California criticizes Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga's regret after a lawsuit failed to remove Glendale's 'comfort women' war memorial.

JAPAN

Feb 24, 2015

High levels of yellow sand, PM2.5 heading in from China

High levels of yellow sand and particle-laden smog known as PM2.5 are now being registered in some parts of the nation, creating misery for allergy sufferers and posing a potential hazard from prolonged exposure.

JAPAN / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE

Feb 22, 2015

Kyoto's tourism boom spells war for luxury hotel chains

Kyoto's recent record-setting tourism boom has sparked a mini-"hotel war," with some of the world's best-known luxury inn chains opening branches in the ancient capital, as its international popularity as a travel destination spreads even further.

JAPAN / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE

Feb 22, 2015

Where's the beef? Kyoto looks to carve out global niche

The quintessential tourist image of Kyoto cuisine is one of a refined "bento" (boxed lunch) containing all sorts of small treats, but heavy on fish, tofu and vegetables, with much attention devoted to presentation and tastes that are sublime, but not overpowering. Certain Kyoto vegetables like "kujo...

JAPAN

Feb 19, 2015

Diet may take up gambling bill again, but odds are low Japan will see casinos by 2020

As lawmakers discuss reintroducing a bill to legalize casino-style gambling during the current Diet session, Osaka and Yokohama are reportedly favorites to host the first resort complexes with casinos.

JAPAN / View from Osaka

Feb 14, 2015

Winter offers a wake-up call for local revitalization drive

Kansai's corporate titans gathered in Kyoto earlier this month for their annual retreat, formally known as the Kansai Economic Forum. While there was no shortage of the usual slightly daft old men with slightly daft ideas, this year saw two important, positive changes.

JAPAN

Feb 12, 2015

Takahama reactors clear NRA safety checks

Two reactors in Fukui Prefecture are declared safe by the Nuclear Regulation Authority, bringing a second nuclear power plant closer to restart.

JAPAN

Feb 10, 2015

Thousands sign petition for free speech amid climate of self-censorship

Journalists, academics, authors, filmmakers, musicians and members of the public put their names on an online petition supporting freedom of expression amid concern about self-censorship by media, lawmakers and society over the recent hostage crisis and the government's handling of it.

JAPAN

Feb 9, 2015

U.S. historians slam Abe effort to change textbook dealing with 'comfort women'

Nineteen U.S.-based historians protest attempts by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his administration to suppress statements in U.S. and Japanese history textbooks about 'comfort women.'

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