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 Eric Johnston

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Eric Johnston
Japan Times
JAPAN / NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Jul 20, 2014
Osaka zone a litmus test of foreign worker policy
As prefectural officials begin talks with Tokyo on a deregulated economic area, local skepticism remains high over the content, necessity of the proposal.
JAPAN / View from Osaka
Jul 19, 2014
Time for legislation to prevent spread of hate speech
On July 8, the Osaka High Court ruled that, yes, standing in front of a primary school while kids are in class, shouting through a megaphone that they and their parents are not human, and then vandalizing the school's property, is legal discrimination.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 18, 2014
Recent votes suggest local dissatisfaction with LDP growing
The conservative Liberal Democratic Party seems unassailable at the national level, but leader Shinzo Abe's actions are causing a backlash that could hurt the LDP in local elections.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 14, 2014
LDP candidate flounders in Shiga governor race
In a blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the ruling coalition, Shiga voters chose as their next governor Taizo Mikazuki, the designated successor to Yukiko Kada, over a candidate heavily backed by the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito.
JAPAN
Jul 10, 2014
Nippon Ishin, Yui no To form second-largest opposition bloc in Lower House
The Diet's fragmented opposition forces took a step toward consolidation as Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) and Yui no To announced they will operate as a unified party in the Lower House this autumn.
BUSINESS
Jul 8, 2014
Odds fall on USJ casino ambition
As Osaka moves forward with plans to build an integrated resort complex in the hope that the Diet will soon legalize casinos, the future role of the Universal Studios Japan theme park remains unclear.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 2, 2014
U.S. hails defense revamp
Tuesday's decision by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Cabinet to reinterpret the Constitution to allow collective self-defense has divided Japan, with some people fearing it would drag the nation into a U.S.-led war.
JAPAN
Jul 1, 2014
Prefectural and local authorities warn government over Constitution
Over the past few weeks, swaths of prefectural and local governments have condemned Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's moves to reinterpret the Constitution, citing either disagreement with the aim or opposition to how it was carried out.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 30, 2014
Ishin-Komeito ties fray in Osaka
Relations between Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) and New Komeito continue to deteriorate, with party heads Toru Hashimoto and Ichiro Matsui preparing to challenge two Osaka-based New Komeito leaders in the next Lower House election.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 25, 2014
Shiga governor race to hinge on public works, reactors
The race for the July 13 Shiga gubernatorial election will kick off Thursday with three candidates vying to replace Yukiko Kada, with the campaign expected to focus on public works spending and how to cope with nuclear reactors in neighboring Fukui Prefecture.
BUSINESS
Jun 23, 2014
Foreign maids the talk of Kansai zone
Discussions began in Osaka on Monday on a proposed special economic zone in the Kansai region that will include an experimental program to attract foreign maids to the region.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 22, 2014
Nippon Ishin split confirmed by party
Members of the Japan Restoration party have confirmed their split into two different camps, bringing an end to years of divided loyalties.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 22, 2014
Gambling experts await green light
At last month's Global Gaming Expo Asia (G2E) in Macau, casino and resort operators, game machine manufacturers, government officials and countless others gathered to review gaming laws and markets in countries ranging from Vietnam to China and the Philippines.
Japan Times
JAPAN / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE
Jun 22, 2014
Osaka on leading edge of casino debate
If Osaka Gov. Ichiro Matsui, Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto and their Osaka Ishin no Kai (One Osaka) members play their cards right, their gamble on casino legalization could hit the jackpot.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 19, 2014
Nakaima to drop call to kick out U.S. air base
Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima will scratch a call to oust Futenma air base from his address commemorating the end of the Battle of Okinawa next week.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jun 16, 2014
Japan's gambit in WWI set stage for a dark future
One hundred years ago, on June 28, 1914, Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo. It was the spark that led, one month later, to the beginning of World War I, which originally was expected to be confined to Europe and end in weeks. By the time it ended on Nov. 11, 1918, an estimated...
JAPAN / View from Osaka
Jun 14, 2014
Is 'rational' Toru Hashimoto acting irrationally?
Just how little influential political or intellectual opposition in Japan is there to fundamentally conservative politics and economic theories touting the wisdom of the corporate mentality? Well consider this: Toru Hashimoto, the mayor of Osaka and co-founder of Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration...
JAPAN
Jun 12, 2014
Fukui, neighbors agree on disaster cooperation
Fukui Prefecture, which hosts 13 of Japan's 48 nuclear reactors, agrees to participate in disaster drills and planning with neighbors Ishikawa and Nara.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jun 5, 2014
Reborn Nippon Ishin aims to stand out on policy, woo DPJ
Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) version 2.0 kicked off Thursday evening, with leader Toru Hashimoto vowing to pursue different policies from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the ruling coalition on energy and structural reform, and calling on like-minded members of the Democratic Party of...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 5, 2014
Naha mayor, foe of Futenma plan, to run for governor
In a move that could further complicate efforts by the central government to move the U.S. Futenma base from Ginowan to Henoko in northern Okinawa, Naha Mayor Takeshi Onaga, 63, has suggested he will run for run for governor in November.

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