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 Eric Johnston

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Eric Johnston
JAPAN / FOCUS
Oct 14, 2022
Time running out for families of Japanese abducted by North Korea
There is concern that Pyongyang will continue to stall on the issue, and some family members have suggested the Japanese government needs to rethink its approach.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 13, 2022
U.S.-Japan business leaders urge cooperation amid economic security challenges
The war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic both pose challenges that requires bolstering the private sector's role in the bilateral relationship, business leaders said.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 7, 2022
LDP faction that Abe led faces leadership challenges as it picks new chief
How presumed successor Ryu Shionoya fares in managing the group could change the political dynamics within the ruling LDP.
BUSINESS / EXPLAINER
Oct 4, 2022
TSE's trial carbon trading project could lead to shake-up of sector
The project is being conducted under the economy ministry and involves more than 140 participating companies and organizations.
JAPAN
Oct 4, 2022
Japan residents wake up to rare J-Alert missile warning
Under the J-system, developed in 2007, messages are sent in times of national emergencies such as earthquakes, terrorist attacks and certain missile launches.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Sep 29, 2022
As parliament reconvenes, questions loom over LDP-Komeito ties
The kind of close, informal connections senior members of previous LDP-led governments had with senior Komeito officials appears to be lacking under Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
JAPAN
Sep 27, 2022
Respect and protest: Abe funeral draws large crowds with contrasting aims
Huge throngs gathered around the Nippon Budokan for what may be remembered as one of the most controversial ceremonial events in Japan in recent years.
JAPAN
Sep 22, 2022
Lawmakers' attendance at Abe state funeral largely split along party lines
While most are making their decision based on their party's relationship with the late politician, there are individual exceptions in both the ruling and opposition parties.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Sep 21, 2022
Arrest of Kadokawa chief rocks sprawling media empire
Initially a publisher of books and textbooks, over the years the company has expanded into movies, video games and apps.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 15, 2022
Opposition parties split over Abe state funeral as CDP says it won't attend
The government's failure to address concerns over the funeral's necessity, the decision-making process for the event and its cost are some of the reasons raised for the CDP's decision.
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Sep 13, 2022
Amid energy challenges and green shift, Japan eyes new nuclear tech
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has said the government will look into small modular reactor technology, but a host of issues stand in the way of their adoption.
JAPAN
Sep 6, 2022
Top Kadokawa execs arrested in widening Tokyo Olympics bribery scandal
The publishing giant's headquarters and the Tokyo home of Chairman Tsuguhiko Kadokawa have been searched.
JAPAN
Sep 5, 2022
Tokyo Olympics bribery scandal widens as Osaka-based ad firm raided
Prosecutors have announced they are looking into allegations that Daiko provided at least u00a514 million on three occasions to a firm run by an acquaintance of a former Games official.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 28, 2022
New Nippon Ishin leader promises to continue co-founder’s policies
Despite recent electoral gains, the second largest opposition group in parliament must learn to appeal to voters outside Kansai and further distinguish itself from the ruling LDP.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Aug 26, 2022
Arrest over alleged bribery could be final whistle on career of Japan's sporting event ace
Since organizing a 1977 soccer event featuring Pele, Haruyuki Takahashi has been a towering figure in the sports business world.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal / EXPLAINER
Aug 26, 2022
Tokyo Olympic bribery scandal puts spotlight on money's influence
The scandal is also being watched closely in Sapporo, which is bidding to host the 2030 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.
JAPAN
Aug 26, 2022
After Upper House poll, CDP tries to forge ahead with familiar faces
With returning faces at the top again, the CDP faces questions over how it plans to convince voters it can offer a fresh alternative to the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Aug 19, 2022
Arrest of former Tokyo Olympics executive has Sapporo worried
The city is in the middle of efforts to drive up public support for its 2030 Winter Games bid, and reduced enthusiasm due to the scandal could prove fatal.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Aug 15, 2022
At a time of political transition, Nippon Ishin ponders its next leader
The Osaka-based party could become more prominent on the national stage by aligning itself more closely with the LDP, but the risk of a split looms too.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Aug 11, 2022
Unification Church ties likely to weigh on Cabinet despite Kishida's bid for stability
The changes to the Cabinet lineup may do little for the Kishida administration's falling popularity ratings and could impact its efforts to deal with primary policy issues.

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