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April 05, 2025
 

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Eric Johnston

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Eric Johnston
Japan Times
JAPAN / View from Osaka
Apr 3, 2021
Kansai classics for a home movie festival
Given that it will be a while before movie theaters are back to normal, here are recommendations for those interested in the Kansai region and classic films.
JAPAN
Mar 26, 2021
Cabinet OKs law to limit foreign real estate deals in Japan citing national security
The bill has raised concerns about violation of privacy rights, and an intense debate over its provisions and constitutionality is likely.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Mar 24, 2021
Failure to communicate: Suga’s media messaging falls short
Putting his policies and statements aside, the prime minister is doing a poor job at conveying his message and convincing people of his leadership qualities, experts say.
JAPAN / Explainer
Mar 23, 2021
Communications ministry scandal puts focus on Japan's Broadcast Act
A decision to strip a unit of Tohokushinsha of its license came after a number of senior officials connected to the ministry were punished for violating the ethics code.
JAPAN / Politics / View from Osaka
Mar 20, 2021
As long-time Hyogo governor steps aside, will voters seek a new direction?
A key election in the Kansai region is slated to take place in July as five-term Hyogo Gov. Toshizo Ido steps down after two decades in power.
JAPAN / Explainer
Mar 12, 2021
Japan's ethics code for officials in focus as dining scandal rumbles on
The National Public Service Ethics Code sets clear expectations for ministry life in hope of preventing the kind of conflicts of interest in which Suga's eldest son has been implicated.
JAPAN
Mar 7, 2021
U.N. crime prevention conference kicks off in Kyoto
The Kyoto congress will focus on greater international cooperation efforts between nations to address long-standing cross-border crimes ranging from cybercrime to human trafficking.
JAPAN / Remembering 3/11
Mar 7, 2021
Ten years after Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan finding path to renewable energy future
Almost immediately after the triple meltdown at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant, the shift toward renewable energy sources began to accelerate.
JAPAN
Feb 28, 2021
Fact-checking or propaganda? Osaka political group's new Twitter account raises eyebrows
Concerned about a rise in what Osaka Ishin said was false statements on social media, the group launched a new Twitter account to track posts about the prefecture's COVID-19 response.
JAPAN / Politics / EXPLAINER
Feb 23, 2021
Influence-peddling scandal: How Suga ended up in the hot seat again
Revelations that Seigo Suga wined and dined officials have again raised questions about influence peddling at the highest levels of government.
JAPAN / View from Osaka
Feb 20, 2021
Mori's downfall poetic justice for an Osaka ready to showcase its modernity
From describing the city as 'phlegm' to lackluster support for its Olympic bid, the former prime minister and Tokyo Games chief finally reaped the harvest of his disdain for Osaka.
JAPAN
Feb 18, 2021
Hashimoto brings experience and connections in sports and politics to new role
The former Olympics minister appears to have only reluctantly accepted the post, and she may face questions about her relationship with her predecessor, Yoshiro Mori.
JAPAN
Feb 17, 2021
Shimane governor threatens to cancel participation in Olympic torch relay
The remarks could create a political domino effect among other local governors worried about their own ability to respond to increased infections if the Tokyo Games go forward.
JAPAN
Feb 16, 2021
The next boss of the Tokyo Games — a savvy operator or a fresh face?
The organizing committee says it is looking for a successor that has a certain background in the Olympics as well as a strong awareness of gender equality and inclusiveness.
JAPAN
Feb 12, 2021
How 'indispensable' Mori came to enjoy huge influence in politics and sport
The former prime minister had contacts his peers did not and the ability to get things done behind the scenes that leaders in both arenas relied on heavily.
JAPAN / Explainer
Feb 10, 2021
As China authorizes use of force by coast guard, Japan considers response
With Beijing beefing up its powers in contested areas such as the Senkaku Islands, questions have arisen over how Tokyo should handle coastal security incidents.
JAPAN
Feb 7, 2021
Tokyo Olympics head Mori says he was ready to quit over sexist remarks
When it was learned that Mori was prepared to resign, a rushed meeting was held between him and top Tokyo Olympic officials, who tearfully urged him not to quit.
JAPAN
Feb 7, 2021
With COVID-19 cases falling, Osaka may seek early end to state of emergency
Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura is likely to decide as early as Tuesday whether to ask the central government to cancel the state of emergency for the prefecture.
JAPAN / Explainer
Feb 4, 2021
Japan's new virus law: Fines for noncompliance and support for hard-hit firms
Fines can be levied on businesses that refuse orders to shorten their hours of operation under a state of emergency and individuals who refuse to be hospitalized for the novel coronavirus.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Feb 3, 2021
More than four months into his term, Suga's popularity ebbs as tough decisions await
From controversial coronavirus legislation to the fate of the Tokyo Games, the prime minister's leadership ability and style is under increased scrutiny and criticism.
U.S. tourist arrested after bringing a handgun into Japan
Hyogo police believe the handgun a U.S. tourist inadvertently brought into Japan slipped through security procedures at Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture.
3D printer used to construct train station building in Japan
A train station building (front) is assembled from parts printed using 3D printer technology, in Arida, Wakayama Prefecture, on Wednesday.
Japan’s leader didn’t read the job description
Prime Minister and ruling Liberal Democratic Party leader Shigeru Ishiba is facing a political funding scandal that has damaged his reputation and sparked speculation that internal efforts to remove him are underway.
Japan promises 'bold and speedy' response to Trump’s surprise 24% tariffs
U.S. President Donald Trump unveils new U.S. tariffs at the White House in Washington on Wednesday.
Tokyo’s KK Line to close for decadelong overhaul as public greenway
People enjoy running and yoga on Tokyo Expressway’s KK Line, a 2-kilometer elevated expressway cutting through the capital’s commercial Ginza district, when it was opened as a pedestrian space in May last year.
Haruki Murakami TV adaptation revisits 30 years of watershed moments
Though Haruki Murakami's trademark whiff of offbeat existentialism is threaded throughout NHK's "After the Quake," the final episode — conceived as a sequel to the story "Super-Frog Saves Tokyo" — is the most stylized, featuring an anthropomorphic talking frog (voiced by Non) and his erstwhile associate Katagiri (Koichi Sato).
Nintendo to launch the Switch 2 on June 5
The controllers for the Switch 2 will attach to the console magnetically rather than sliding on rails as with the original device.
A new human trafficking trend emerges from Myanmar scam centers
Victims of scam centers who were tricked or trafficked into working in Myanmar gather at a compound inside KK Park, a fraud center on the country's border with Thailand, after a multinational crackdown in February.
Meiji says sayonara to bottled milk, a staple of Japan's bathhouses
Meiji bottled milk lined up in a fridge at Kosugiyu, a bathhouse in Tokyo. The sticker urges patrons to enjoy the milk one last time before it’s gone.
A Canadian made a weekend trip to Costco a Japanese pastime
Under the watchful eye of Ken Theriault, Costco representative director and Japan country manager, the American membership-model wholesaler has flourished in Japan.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

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
By Johan Brooks

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