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April 02, 2025
 

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Eric Johnston

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Eric Johnston
JAPAN
Jul 28, 2023
Osaka Expo asks for overtime cap exemption as time pressure mounts
The move comes as the expo faces mounting concerns that construction, especially of pavilions for foreign nations, will not be completed on time for the scheduled opening in April 2025.
Danish ambassador Peter Taksoe-Jensen hopes for a "ketchup effect" in the development of Japan's offshore wind potential.
ENVIRONMENT
Jul 27, 2023
Unlocking Japan's offshore wind potential requires change in mindset
While Japan has made progress in expanding its offshore wind power, Denmark’s ambassador to Japan says that the pace of change is still too slow.
JAPAN
Jul 24, 2023
Pessimism over Osaka Expo opening grows after construction head criticizes organizers
There is growing pessimism about the fate of the expo, with speculation that postponing the starting date might now be necessary in order to get everything completed.
Employees of a fishing net manufacturer, including Ainu Indigenous people, work at a facility in Urahoro, Hokkaido, in June.
ENVIRONMENT / OUR PLANET
Jul 23, 2023
In Hokkaido, an Ainu group's lawsuit and climate change converge on salmon fishing
The Raporo Ainu Nation in Hokkaido is fighting for its Indigenous rights to fish for salmon. But warming waters are raising questions about future fish stocks.
JAPAN
Jul 21, 2023
China’s blanket testing for Japanese seafood affecting Japanese businesses
Seafood from five Japanese firms remains at Chinese customs, running the risk of a ¥100 million loss if they end up spoiling.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 19, 2023
China’s blanket radiation testing could spell trouble for Japanese seafood imports
The news comes ahead of Japan’s plan to begin releasing treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima No. 1 plant into the sea.
JAPAN
Jul 7, 2023
Fukushima water release nears after OK from nuclear watchdog
The Nuclear Regulation Authority gave its stamp of approval to safety processes at Tepco's treated water release facilities, while Seoul also backed the safety of the water release.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Jul 7, 2023
With overseas pavilions not yet started, time is running out for Osaka Expo
Local officials are pressuring the central government to do more so the event meets what they admit is a very tight schedule for completion.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jul 5, 2023
Cracks in LDP faction once headed by Abe may deepen under group leadership
The inability of the new leaders to unite the faction makes it less powerful than its size would indicate.
JAPAN
Jul 4, 2023
IAEA endorses Japan’s release of treated water from Fukushima plant
The organization’s safety assessment report concluded that the discharge of the treated water into the sea is “consistent with relevant international safety standards.”
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 30, 2023
EU envoy praises Hokkaido's 'smart approach' as leaders eye green opportunities
When Prime Minister Fumio Kishida travels to Brussels in July, renewable energy and a green transformation will be on the agenda as the two sides move to increase their cooperation.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 27, 2023
LDP and Komeito try to patch up differences with election deal
The two parties have agreed to endorse each other's candidates everywhere except Tokyo in the next general election.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 22, 2023
Kishida looks ahead amid speculation over Cabinet reshuffle and LDP leadership changes
Both moves, if made, would be aimed at boosting the prime minister's popularity and strengthening his position within the LDP ahead of an autumn parliament session.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 20, 2023
LDP power struggle in Yamaguchi shows waning influence of Abe faction
With Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi having been selected for the new No. 3 district, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's caucus has come out on top over the Abe faction.
JAPAN
Jun 19, 2023
Sweden’s 2030 Winter Olympics bid a setback for Sapporo
Sapporo is expected to face pressure to consider officially dropping its bid amid lackluster local support.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 14, 2023
Could the LDP turn to Nippon Ishin amid friction with coalition partner Komeito?
Tensions with Komeito and policy compatibility with Nippon Ishin have some questioning whether the ruling party might shop around for a new coalition partner.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 12, 2023
Former LDP kingmaker Mikio Aoki dies at 89
Aoki, known as the “don of the Upper House” for his influence inside and outside the LDP, served as a lawmaker in the chamber between 1986 and 2010.
JAPAN
Jun 8, 2023
How Japan ensures you gamble exactly when and where it wants you to
Laws on gambling mean that the activity is prohibited in general, except for betting on something that is legally defined as “momentary amusement,” or on government-sanctioned events.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jun 1, 2023
LDP-Komeito spat spotlights deeper problems in political marriage
That, in turn, has raised questions about the state of their more than 20-year-old coalition, and whether the two sides will take steps to initiate a divorce.
JAPAN
May 27, 2023
Hokkaido bear attack shows need for better management of island's nearly 12,000 brown bears
The exact population of Hokkaido brown bears is difficult to pin down, but experts agree that the population at least doubled over the three-decade period between 1990 and 2020.
As ‘Buy Canadian’ grows, more U.S. firms say retailers turning away products
Empty shelves with "Buy Canadian Instead" signs are seen in the American Whiskey section of the BC Liquor in Vancouver, British Columbia, on March 10.
Japan, South Korea and China vow to strengthen trade ties amid looming U.S. tariffs
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yoji Muto (left), South Korean Trade Industry and Energy Minister Ahn Duk-geun (center) and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao during a trilateral meeting in Seoul on Sunday
A Canadian made a weekend trip to Costco a Japanese pastime
Under the watchful eye of Ken Theriault, Costco representative director and Japan country manager, the American membership-model wholesaler has flourished in Japan.
Nankai Trough earthquake could kill 298,000 people, government says
Residents participate in an evacuation drill held with West Japan Railway in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, in January 2024 to prepare for a Nankai Trough earthquake and a possible tsunami following the quake.
Osaka Expo's Japan Pavilion completed
A ceremony is held to mark the completion of the Japan Pavilion at the World Expo in Osaka on Saturday.
On defense, Japan may avoid Trump's worst impulses — for now
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth chat after reviewing an honor guard during a welcome ceremony at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Sunday.
Nankai Trough earthquake could kill 298,000 people, government says
Residents participate in an evacuation drill held with West Japan Railway in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, in January 2024 to prepare for a Nankai Trough earthquake and a possible tsunami following the quake.
NFL comeback star Damar Hamlin shares life-saving message in Tokyo
Damar Hamlin poses with students at The American School in Japan in Chofu, western Tokyo, on Thursday.
A Canadian made a weekend trip to Costco a Japanese pastime
Under the watchful eye of Ken Theriault, Costco representative director and Japan country manager, the American membership-model wholesaler has flourished in Japan.
Tokyo tech failures lean into misfortune, mistakes and missteps
Tsuyoshi Domoto in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on March 28. As an entrepreneur, Domoto experienced plenty of setbacks but maintains a positive attitude and continues to pursue his dreams.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Professional cleaner Hirofumi Sakurai takes a moment to appreciate some photographs in a Gotanda apartment whose occupant died alone.
The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan
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