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Eric Johnston

Japan Times

JAPAN

Dec 5, 2021

Omicron throws a wrench in Osaka’s plan to promote 2025 expo in Dubai

Although Japan Day will still take place at the Dubai Expo on Dec. 11, key Japanese officials will be absent, hampering lobbying efforts for the 2025 event in Osaka.

JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS

Dec 1, 2021

New CDP leader brings youth and a fresh face but still faces old problems in rebuilding party

Kenta Izumi's relative youth, while providing a fresh look for the CDP, could make dealing with more experienced politicians in the ruling and opposition parties more difficult.

JAPAN / Politics

Nov 30, 2021

Japan's main opposition party seeks to rebuild under new leader Kenta Izumi

In the wake of October's electoral defeat and the resignation of its former leader, the CDP must now craft new strategies — and question old alliances.

JAPAN

Nov 28, 2021

Nippon Ishin sticks with Ichiro Matsui as chief even as it seeks younger leadership

Nippon Ishin no Kai, which saw its seat count nearly quadruple in the Lower House election, decided to keep Ichiro Matsui on as leader after deciding not to hold a presidential election

JAPAN / Politics

Nov 19, 2021

Four vie to lead Japan's CDP after election disappointment

Whether or not to cooperate with the Japanese Communist Party will be a top issue for the next leader of the nation's top opposition party.

Japan Times

JAPAN / FOCUS

Nov 18, 2021

Asia’s three largest economies and polluters face tough road toward ditching coal

For Japan, China and India, promises to further reduce emissions by phasing out coal run straight into domestic political roadblocks and social realities.

JAPAN / Politics / EXPLAINER

Nov 17, 2021

The state of play for the LDP's factions after October's Lower House election

The big winner appeared to be the party's largest faction, now headed by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, while the one led by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also strengthened its presence.

JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS

Nov 12, 2021

Opposition tie-up could herald new debate on constitutional revision in Japan

In what could be the start of an opposition party realignment, Nippon Ishin no Kai and the Democratic Party for the People have begun working together to push the issue in parliament.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS

Nov 9, 2021

Amid leadership change, CDP asks itself deep questions about its future

The next leader will need to wrestle with how to best communicate a positive vision for Japan and what to do about cooperation with the Japanese Communist Party.

JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS

Nov 2, 2021

Nippon Ishin faces fundamental hurdles to further electoral success

Experts say it's likely that the party will remain official outsiders but mostly align with the ruling coalition's policies.

JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS

Nov 1, 2021

Failed cooperation effort prompts soul-searching by Japan's opposition

The fielding of unified candidates led to some close races and two major upsets, but political differences ultimately undermined the tie-up in the eyes of voters.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS

Oct 27, 2021

Opposition unity in Japan general election proving easier said than done

The CDP and JCP have agreed to rally around unified candidates in as many districts as possible — and one of the strategy's first tests is in Hokkaido.

JAPAN / Politics

Oct 26, 2021

Incumbent favoring nuclear waste disposal facility wins Hokkaido mayoral election

If all technical and political hurdles are cleared and the facility is built, waste from Japan's nuclear reactors would be transported to Suttsu.

JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS

Oct 25, 2021

Shizuoka by-election boosts opposition's hopes ahead of Lower House poll

The LDP is taking stock of what went wrong after a ruling coalition-backed candidate lost despite campaigning by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

JAPAN / Politics

Oct 24, 2021

Kishida and coalition suffer by-election blow ahead of Lower House poll

The ruling LDP triumphed in its Yamaguchi stronghold while an opposition-backed candidate won in Shizuoka, in the first tests of the Fumio Kishida administration since it was inaugurated earlier this month.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Explainer

Oct 24, 2021

A crucial U.N. climate summit kicks off Oct. 31. Here's what you need to know.

Experts say the COP26 summit in Glasgow could prove decisive in determining whether humankind can avoid catastrophic global warming.

Japan Times

PODCAST / deep dive

Oct 20, 2021

Why is Kyoto going bankrupt?

In 2019, tourists spent u00a51.2 trillion in Kyoto. Now the city faces bankruptcy.

JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS

Oct 18, 2021

Loss of LDP majority could open up range of coalition options

With 465 seats up for grabs and opposition parties teaming up in some districts, the results of this year's Lower House election are far from certain.

JAPAN / Politics / EXPLAINER

Oct 13, 2021

Major opposition parties in Japan unite in attempt to dislodge LDP

The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, Japanese Communist Party and two other groups have pursued unified policies and candidates, but tensions remain in some areas.

JAPAN

Oct 12, 2021

Kishida defends backtrack on capital gains tax in Upper House grilling

The new prime minister had floated an increase in the tax rate during the LDP leadership race, but the idea was omitted from a policy speech he gave Friday.

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

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

By Johan Brooks

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