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 Eric Johnston

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Eric Johnston
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 10, 2019
Cabinet reshuffles provide a window into Japan's policy priorities
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is planning to reshuffle his Cabinet on Wednesday. When this action, combined with the reshuffle of Liberal Democratic Party executives, takes place, there is always huge media coverage on who will be appointed to what post and what it means for the administration.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 9, 2019
At meeting in Kyoto, global body debates how to define and protect museums
What is a museum and how can its exhibits, which often include the world's most important cultural properties, be protected from natural disasters, including earthquakes?
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 1, 2019
All eyes on LDP factions as Abe plots Cabinet shake-up for final term
With Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expected to reshuffle his Cabinet later this month, attention is turning to who might get what posts, and from which Liberal Democratic Party factions any new ministers might be from.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Aug 26, 2019
Inventor Boyan Slat's mission: Shrink Great Pacific Garbage patch 90% by 2040
Boyan Slat, 25, is an ambitious social entrepreneur. His goal: Reduce 90 percent of an estimated 80 million kg of plastic waste in the Pacific Ocean, covering an area more than three times the size of France, by 2040. And do it with a technology he likens to raking leaves.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 23, 2019
Japan's UNESCO sites struggle to cultivate cultural cachet while keeping urban bustle at bay
An observation deck on the 21st floor of Osaka's Sakai City Hall provides visitors with a bird's-eye view of the surrounding area. In the midst of the urban jungle a few kilometers away, a large patch of greenery in the distance looks out of place amid the sea of modern buildings, like a public park...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 22, 2019
Japan and G7 peers brace for fractious summit in France
Japanese media outlets had reported that this year's G7 was unlikely to issue a joint statement for the first time in its history.
Japan Times
JAPAN / View from Osaka
Aug 17, 2019
For Kyoto, international meeting of museum directors and creators is an opportunity to learn
From Sept. 1 to 7, Kyoto will host thousands of museum directors, curators and art historians from Japan and around the world for the general assembly meeting of the Paris-based International Council of Museums (ICOM).
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 9, 2019
Casino resort frontrunner MGM says winning and building Osaka facility by 2025 is tough but doable
Over the next few months, the government is expected to debate the structure of a new regulatory committee that will oversee so-called integrated resort complexes containing casinos and draft a basic policy specifying the selection criteria for such facilities.
JAPAN
Aug 9, 2019
Shizuoka throws wrench in the works of Tokyo-Nagoya maglev shinkansen route
The current plan for the Tokyo-Nagoya maglev route, currently under construction, calls for Central Japan Railway Co. to begin operations by around 2027. The route will slash a trip between Nagoya and Shinagawa, which takes about 90 minutes on the fastest bullet trains today, to just 40 minutes.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 9, 2019
Is Nara's future tied to a proposed maglev shinkansen route?
Although Nara has become a favorite of international tourists in recent years, the city, which served as the nation's ancient capital from 710 to 784, has historically been a bit off the beaten path.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Beyond Tokyo
Jul 26, 2019
In pursuit of a sustainable society, Nagano turns to AI to help craft policy
When times are good, there is less political pressure at the local level anywhere to be economically efficient or carefully scrutinize predictions that a new public works project or expensive industrial or tourism promotion scheme will lead to prosperity in 20 or 30 years.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jul 22, 2019
Abe's push to amend Japan's Constitution faces uncertain future after Upper House vote
Undaunted by the failure to capture a two-thirds supermajority in the upper chamber, Abe pushes on with his goal to rewrite the charter, with an eye on Article 9.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jul 21, 2019
After Upper House election, ruling bloc bets political cost of tax hike will be limited
The hike is expected to generate an additional u00a55.7 trillion in annual revenue, of which u00a52.8 trillion will be used to defray the national debt.
Japan Times
JAPAN / View from Osaka
Jul 20, 2019
Four Kansai issues stirring up Upper House election
While the sensitive issue of constitutional revision and the looming consumption tax hike to 10 percent in October dominate media discussion of what's important in the Upper House election Sunday, there are other problems and issues, some especially acute in the Kansai region, that shouldn't be forgotten....
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 17, 2019
Ahead of Upper House vote, Komeito and Abe remain apart on revision of pacifist Constitution
While Prime Minister Abe touts constitutional revision as the focal point of Sunday's election, that topic is conspicuously absent from campaign speeches by the LDP's coalition partner, Komeito.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Beyond Tokyo
Jul 5, 2019
After G20 role, Nagano resort town of Karuizawa looks to lead way in green tech and energy
The Nagano Prefecture resort town of Karuizawa has long been associated with green, natural energy.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Jun 30, 2019
G20 world leaders agree on some issues, but significant gaps remain following Osaka summit
World leaders attending the Group of 20 summit in Osaka reached consensus on a number of topics but failed to come to an agreement on others.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 29, 2019
G20 leaders make progress on trade and investment in Osaka; members minus the U.S. reaffirm Paris climate goals
The Group of 20 summit concludes with promises to work toward trade and investment that is free, fair, nondiscriminatory, transparent, predictable, stable and for open markets.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 28, 2019
Tensions simmer at G20 summit in Osaka over trade and climate change
As host, Japan begins the task of forging agreements on climate change, protectionism and multilateral forums like the Group of 20 itself as dozens of leaders converge on Osaka.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 27, 2019
Hong Kong extradition opponents in Osaka protest legislation ahead of G20, asking for U.K. and U.S. help
About 40 Hong Kong residents and Japanese gathered Thursday evening in central Osaka to protest extradition legislation that would allow Hong Kong residents to be sent to mainland China to face trial.

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