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 Eric Johnston

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Eric Johnston
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 20, 2022
Abe's faction faces uncertain future following his assassination
With Abe no longer in charge and no clear successor waiting in the wings, the caucus is experiencing internal dissent.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 15, 2022
Kishida sets high nuclear power target that Japan may struggle to meet
Unclear plans for restarts, combined with the threat of legal challenges and the need for inspections at operational facilities, could stymie efforts to bring more power stations online.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 14, 2022
Japan expands eligibility of fourth COVID-19 vaccine
Despite rapidly rising cases of the BA.5 omicron subvariant, the government says it won't take further action beyond encouraging social distancing.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jul 13, 2022
Former executives ordered to pay Tepco ¥13 trillion over Fukushima disaster
Presiding Judge Yoshihide Asakura said the possibility of a major tsunami-related accident could have been avoided if measures to prevent flooding had been taken.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 11, 2022
Japan's opposition parties ponder leadership after election drubbing
Any celebrations of relief for CDP, or success for Nippon Ishin, may be tempered by concerns over who will take over the reins in the years ahead.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 9, 2022
Lower House redistricting plans in focus after Abe’s death
The ruling LDP is facing tricky political questions in the late PM's home prefecture of Yamaguchi, with the answers likely to impact a Lower House district realignment plan.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 7, 2022
Japan’s oldest and youngest political parties court disaffected voters
Despite similarities in their platforms, the two parties' voting blocs come from completely different generations.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 5, 2022
Rising cost of farming casts shadow over Upper House race in Hokkaido
Higher fertilizer and animal feed prices are putting the prefecture's key agriculture sector under pressure, making inflation an even bigger issue there than the rest of the nation.
Japan Times
JAPAN / New Normal 2.0
Jun 27, 2022
Japan prepares for bounce in tourism, but pre-pandemic demand still far off
Destinations such as Niseko in Hokkaido are gearing up for 'revenge travel' by domestic and foreign tourists, but caution over COVID-19 limits the expected rise in numbers.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Jun 27, 2022
Hokkaido sake brewer looks to post-COVID gastro-tourism market
While Kyoto and Hiroshima are likely be the go-to choices for many first-time visitors to Japan, Hokkaido could be a tempting travel experience for those visiting again.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 24, 2022
Nippon Ishin and DPP face struggle to differentiate themselves in election
Past cooperation with each other — and with the LDP — is weighing on the two opposition parties ahead of the Upper House election on July 10.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 23, 2022
In Japan's Upper House poll, CDP battles to stay relevant
Seven months after a disastrous Lower House election, the largest opposition party finds itself with low poll numbers and questions swirling about what will happen if it again loses seats.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 9, 2022
Japan's Lower House rejects no-confidence motions against PM and speaker
While the outcome was never in doubt, the votes may indicate a larger split between the opposition parties.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 8, 2022
Opposition CDP submits no-confidence motions ahead of election
CDP leader Kenta Izumi has lambasted Lower House speaker Hiroyuki Hosoda over sexual harassment allegations and targeted Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's response to price hikes.
Japan Times
WORLD
May 30, 2022
New Australian leader Anthony Albanese focuses on countering China's Pacific influence
Heading into the election, the Labor Party platform emphasized that its defense and foreign policy would start with increased cooperation with the Pacific islands.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
May 24, 2022
The IPEF, already a tough sell for Biden at home, seen as limited in scope
American businesses continue to look on jealously at an existing major Asia-Pacific trade pact, which they say offers greater precision and economic impact.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 23, 2022
Biden launches Indo-Pacific Economic Framework with 13 nations including Japan
The IPEF is an attempt by the U.S. to reassert its economic leadership in the region after it withdrew from a major Asia-Pacific trade pact in 2017 under Donald Trump.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
May 20, 2022
Amid energy supply woes, Japan looks to the U.S. as an LNG source
Biden's coming visit to Japan is an opportunity for Washington and Tokyo to expand bilateral energy cooperation, including increased fossil fuel exports by the U.S.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
May 15, 2022
Tourism and logistics: Okinawa's latest plan to boost its economy
Under its latest economic plan, Okinawa aims to raise its gross prefectural product from u00a54.1 trillion in fiscal 2020 to u00a55.7 trillion by 2031 and reduce its jobless rate from 3.6% to 2.5%.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
May 12, 2022
Japan’s main labor group is drawing closer to the LDP. Some say too close.
Closer ties between Rengo and the ruling LDP would deeply concern opposition leaders, who rely on the union's 7 million members for electoral support.

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