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 Eric Johnston

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Eric Johnston
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / EXPLAINER
Sep 14, 2021
The LDP's leadership race kicks into high gear this week: This is how it will go down
Support from rank-and-file members will be key for candidates, but if the election goes to a runoff, LDP lawmakers will have a bigger say.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 13, 2021
LDP leadership contender Kishida unveils initiatives to counter China
Kishida, taking a page from the Biden's administration's multilateral approach to dealing with Beijing, has called for Tokyo to work even more closely with other 'like-minded' democracies.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / View from Osaka
Sep 10, 2021
Who you gonna call?: Parties with Osaka roots sad to see Suga go
With the upcoming change in LDP leadership, Nippon Ishin no Kai may lose its direct line to the Prime Minister's Office at a crucial time in Kansai politics.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 8, 2021
Abe ally Sanae Takaichi enters LDP race as underdog
The hawkish conservative backs increased nuclear power over renewables, similar economic policies to her mentor and laws to protect Japanese research.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 31, 2021
U.S. climate envoy John Kerry visits Tokyo to build momentum for U.N. summit
Kerry's stop in the capital, where he met with senior Japanese politicians, is part of a worldwide effort to raise ambitions ahead of the meeting in Glasgow.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / EXPLAINER
Aug 27, 2021
Off to the races: LDP presidential election campaign begins
A number of challengers to Suga are beginning to emerge, with Fumio Kishida currently being the prime minister's strongest rival.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Aug 23, 2021
Loss by Suga ally in Yokohama election rattles the LDP
The prime minister's position has become even more precarious, with questions growing within the LDP over whether he should lead the party into an upcoming general election.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 22, 2021
In major blow to Suga, opposition party-backed Takeharu Yamanaka wins Yokohama mayoral election
Takeharu Yamanaka's victory in the Yokohama mayoral also puts the brakes on the city's efforts to host a casino resort in the city's waterfront Yamashita Pier district.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 18, 2021
Robert 'Skipp' Orr, key figure in U.S.-Japan relations, dies age 68
Orr enjoyed a long and distinguished career in business, government and academia, with positions at the Asian Development Bank, Boeing Japan and others organizations.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Aug 18, 2021
Former Prime Minister Abe bids for a new role: LDP kingmaker
With Suga's falling popularity opening up an opportunity, Abe and his allies are vying for greater control over the LDP at the expense of Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 11, 2021
Kyoto's reconstruction plan calls for big spending cuts
Kyoto faces a financial shortfall of nearly u00a5280 billion over the next five years, and now day care centers, transport subsidies and the bureaucracy are on the chopping block.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 8, 2021
Japan's casino resort candidates put finishing touches on bids
A maximum of three locations for so-called integrated resorts — which combine casinos with hotels and other facilities — will then be formally announced sometime after May.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 8, 2021
Casino takes top billing, but Yokohama mayoral election may offer hints to Suga's fate
The main issue is a casino project at Yamashita Pier. Six of the eight candidates, including staunch Suga ally Hachiro Okonogi, are against the plan.
Japan Times
JAPAN / View from Osaka
Aug 6, 2021
Kansai looks to lessons from Olympics for own international events
Political and business leaders are likely to focus on the good and bad points of Tokyo's experience as they look ahead to the World Masters Games Kansai and the 2025 World Expo.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Explainer
Aug 2, 2021
Pressure builds over raising Japan's age of consent
Controversial remarks by a Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan lawmaker and cases of paternal rape have driven discussion on lifting the age of consent.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Explainer
Jul 27, 2021
Hiroshima hibakusha have won their 'black rain' lawsuit. This is how they got there.
The government has decided not to appeal a landmark ruling that extends benefits to A-bomb victims affected by fallout outside of a government-designated area.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Explainer
Jul 26, 2021
In times of disaster, Japan's hazard maps provide crucial information
July's deadly mudslide in Shizuoka has put renewed focus on hazard maps for areas at risk from floods, landslides and other natural catastrophes.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 22, 2021
COVID-19 cases rise in Sapporo just as Olympic events get underway
Hokkaido's capital is hosting soccer games and will host marathon events, but the mayor is now calling for stronger coronavirus measures as the number of cases jumps.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jul 20, 2021
Tokyo poll result cements Yuriko Koike's status as a political survivor
After Koike's Tomin First no Kai performed better than expected in the election, speculation has grown that she might once again migrate back to national politics.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 15, 2021
IOC president's Hiroshima visit fuels speculation about his true intent
A trip that's officially being made to send a message of peace has instead stirred controversy amid the pandemic and raised questions about Thomas Bach's real purpose.

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