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November 22, 2024
 

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Eric Johnston

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Eric Johnston
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 22, 2023
Kishida heads into parliamentary session with packed — and divisive — agenda
Contentious debates in the Diet over increased defense spending, policies aimed at children and extending the life of nuclear reactors could ultimately seal the prime minister's fate.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 17, 2023
Environment education that connects all the dots
Currently, students in Japan are taught the facts, but not necessarily how they are linked to political and social changes around the world.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 15, 2023
Russia-Hokkaido relations another casualty of Ukraine invasion
'If the prefecture continued to promote exchanges with our Russian counterparts now, there would be the risk of a public backlash,' one official said.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 12, 2023
Bill to amend Japan's immigration laws to be resubmitted to parliament, report says
If the bill, which was shelved before last autumn's extraordinary parliament session, is taken up, it would be one of more than 60 pieces of legislation expected to be debated.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 11, 2023
South Korea aims to finalize 'solution' to wartime labor dispute with Japan, report says
In what experts say is an unusual move, reports indicated that a written agreement between the countries will not be required.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 6, 2023
Kishida again puts LDP-DPP tie-up in spotlight with labor union appearance
The DPP is strongly backed by members of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, and the labor group's leader has moved the organization closer to the LDP.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 4, 2023
Wage hikes and steps toward a nuke-free world top Kishida’s 2023 goals
Speaking at a news conference in Mie Prefecture, the prime minister also mentioned the possibility of a general election before a defense-related tax hike goes into effect.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 4, 2023
Growing pains: Niseko-area town of Kutchan faces questions over sustainable development
With tourism to Japan having fully resumed, developers are once again looking at the Niseko area as a place to invest and build. But can it be done sustainably?
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 21, 2022
Watchdog OKs new rules to allow Japan's nuclear plants to operate beyond 60 years
The move comes as Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pushes continued use of older nuclear plants in the years ahead to meet national carbon reduction goals.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Dec 16, 2022
Kishida punts on tax hikes for defense amid backlash from his own party
Kishida, who had been pushing for tax increases in stages, was forced to back off from a specific timetable as opponents press for alternate funding.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 14, 2022
Defense spending debate threatens to divide ruling Liberal Democratic Party
Rather than raising taxes, some LDP lawmakers want the prime minister to issue government bonds.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Dec 12, 2022
Delayed pick for 2030 Winter Olympics host puts Sapporo in a bind
The IOC's announcement could further complicate the city's effort, as bid supporters and opponents face off next year — especially in April's local elections.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Dec 9, 2022
Amid low ratings and scandals, Kishida scores a win with passage of key bills
In a parliamentary session rocked by Cabinet resignations and controversy over the Unification Church, the prime minister was able to eke out some political wins.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 30, 2022
Help wanted: Niseko facing labor crunch as ski season gets underway
Despite hope that winter tourists will return, some in Niseko's service industry may have to make do with limited staff.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 30, 2022
Hokkaido's COVID-19 infections rise, but serious cases remain low
While Hokkaido is facing a strain on total available hospital beds, the percentage of those being used for seriously ill patients is small.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 21, 2022
Kishida's decisiveness in question following resignation of three ministers
While praised for making quick and strong decisions early in his prime ministership, lately Kishida has been criticized for dragging his feet amid scandals.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 20, 2022
Kishida Cabinet loses third minister in less than one month
Terada's exit is likely to further damage the prime minister's public approval ratings and raise questions about his political future.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 11, 2022
Justice minister ousted over death row gaffe in fresh blow to Kishida Cabinet
The minister's departure marks the second Kishida Cabinet member to resign in less than three weeks.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 10, 2022
Justice minister’s death row gaffe marks another blow for Kishida
The minister made remarks widely interpreted as making light of his responsibility to authorize executions of death row inmates.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Nov 1, 2022
Tokyo begins recognition of same-sex partnerships
However, same-sex marriage is prohibited nationwide, meaning various legal protections only afforded to married couples remain unavailable as well.
Two of America’s biggest debt holders are dumping Treasurys
The U.S. Treasury building in Washington. Investors in Japan and China sold a pile of U.S. debt in the last quarter, just before the U.S. presidential election.
Ishiba aggravates his own political failures with diplomatic faux pas
Prime Minster Shigeru Ishiba is greeted at the APEC summit in Lima by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday. The Japanese leader was criticized for remaining seated while meeting several world leaders at the event.
Japan's 3.31 million visitors in October set monthly record
Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto in December 2023. Famous autumn leaf colors contributed to increased tourism demand last month from many markets across Asia, Europe and North America, the Japan National Tourism Organization has said.
Japan ranks last in romance satisfaction for second straight year
In a survey of 31 countries, Japan ranked last in terms of those who felt loved, with just 51% of respondents saying so.
Ruling coalition and DPP strike last-minute deal over economic policy
DPP policy chief Makoto Mahaguchi speaks at the party's policy gathering in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Japan, U.K. and Italy discuss inviting more countries to joint fighter project
A new concept model of a next-generation fighter jet to be jointly developed by Japan, Britain and Italy is on display in Farnborough, Hampshire, in July.
Haruki Murakami's 'The City and Its Uncertain Walls' gives deep deja vu
For “The City and Its Uncertain Walls,” translated into English by Philip Gabriel, Haruki Murakami confronts the ghosts who won't leave him alone.
Japanese expats in Asia find community through rugby
The Taiwan Fivewoods celebrate their victory at the 2023 Asian Japanese Rugby Cup in December of last year.
In Fukushima, a weekend of prose, poetry and translation
Aomori-based writer JJ Carter presented on tabletop gaming as creative inspiration for building characters and narratives.
For Dr. Nakamats, aging is just experience in action
Though he didn't win the recent gubernatorial election in Tokyo, the 96-year-old Dr. Nakamats' run was seen as inspirational in Japan's aging society.

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