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 Eric Johnston

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Eric Johnston
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / EXPLAINER
Nov 23, 2020
Behind scenes, Japanese and South Korean lawmakers work to heal ties
As the two countries continue to have differences over historical issues, these groups play an important role in out-of-sight diplomacy.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society / EXPLAINER
Nov 18, 2020
As nuclear worries linger, Tohoku plant heads for landmark restart
The restart, the first in the northeast, comes amidst controversial restarts in the country's west and debates over the energy source's role in a carbon neutral target.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / EXPLAINER
Nov 15, 2020
What does RCEP mean for Japan and its Asian neighbors?
On Sunday, 15 nations in the Asia-Pacific region signed the world's newest multilateral trade deal, the massive Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / View from Osaka
Nov 14, 2020
Osaka Ishin and Nippon Ishin must adapt or risk extinction
Despite polls showing Osaka Ishin remains popular that the anti-merger faction won by only 17,000 votes of over 1.37 million cast, the party and its movement are in deep trouble.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / EXPLAINER
Nov 12, 2020
What the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy brings to Suga's table
Powerful advisory group is now the administration's 'command center' for economic and strategy debates.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 3, 2020
Japan looks to past ties with Trump and Biden for glimpses of the future
Tuesday's U.S. presidential election is being watched closely in Tokyo by those keen to anticipate its impact on the direction of bilateral relations in years to come.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 2, 2020
Osaka referendum defeat raises questions about future of city's politics
The focus for many in local political party Osaka Ishin no Kai is now on how — or even if — they can continue under a new generation of leadership.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 1, 2020
Osaka voters say no to merger. Again.
The referendum defeat dealt a heavy blow to the Osaka Ishin no Kai local political group, with Mayor Ichiro Matsui vowing to retire at the end of his term.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 28, 2020
Two LDP factions face uncertain future after losing race to Suga
The status of Shigeru Ishiba's group is up in the air, while Fumio Kishida is exploring mergers with other factions to bolster his chances of becoming prime minister.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 25, 2020
U.N. nuke ban treaty to enter effect Jan. 22, heaping pressure on Japan to join
Tokyo has so far resisted domestic and international calls to join, saying a pact without the participation of nuclear powers was not practical.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society / EXPLAINER
Oct 21, 2020
Japan looks to clamp down on illicit outflow of famous food products
Seeds being sold abroad without permission represents threat to intellectual property rights, but opposition says LDP's bill would simply hurt Japan's farmers.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 19, 2020
Could reform mission put Taro Kono on path to succeed Suga?
Driving reforms is giving the media- and social media-savvy 57-year-old the opportunity to raise his political profile by playing to his strengths. Will it be enough?
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / View from Osaka
Oct 17, 2020
Osaka merger would affect residents and outsiders alike
The planned move to merge the city's administrative wards could give officials more freedom to attract tourists and businesses.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society / EXPLAINER
Oct 13, 2020
Controversy over bids to host nuclear waste highlights disposal issue
Two municipalities in Hokkaido have applied to the first stage of the process to build final disposal sites for nuclear waste, but the moves have prompted opposition.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Oct 13, 2020
Referendum a pivotal moment for Osaka and its politicians
On Nov. 1, the city's residents will be asked whether to merge Osaka's 24 wards into just four.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Oct 6, 2020
Suga's rejection of nominees to top advisory body prompts calls for reform
The way the council chooses its members has prompted criticism and calls for reform from supporters and opponents of Suga's decision.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 1, 2020
Tourism sector balances hopes and concerns as Tokyo joins Go To Travel
While the capital is a major source of domestic tourism for many areas, it is also the source of about 30 percent of Japan's coronavirus cases.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Oct 1, 2020
COVID-19 presents crucial moment for gender diversity in Japan
With the pandemic changing the way we work, the International Conference for Women in Business says women must now be brought to the fore.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Sep 27, 2020
A closer look at the LDP lawmakers who support Suga
Yoshihide Suga became prime minister because he was able to secure the support of the most powerful formal faction leaders in the Liberal Democratic Party, whose members voted for him over rivals Fumio Kishida and Shigeru Ishiba, who also lead their own factions. But behind that support from top formal...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / View from Osaka
Sep 19, 2020
Let the Suga-Nippon Ishin bromance begin
Osaka Mayor Ichiro Matsui and his supporters are breathing easy, knowing their favorite LDP politician is now the prime minister.

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