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 Eric Johnston

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Eric Johnston
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jan 28, 2019
Japan-U.S. law enforcement fingerprint data-sharing pact kicks off, raising privacy concerns
Earlier this month, Japan and the United States began sharing fingerprint data among their law enforcement agencies under a bilateral agreement.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society / Beyond Tokyo
Jan 27, 2019
Japan's aging hunters look for fresh blood to solve boar woes
When the world rang in 2019, it also prepared to usher in the Year of the Boar. But in Sasayama, a picturesque, historical city of about 42,000 nestled in rural Hyogo Prefecture about an hour by train from Osaka Station, the wild boar is a symbol of pride, part of a famous local dish and a bane to farmers....
Japan Times
JAPAN / View from Osaka
Jan 20, 2019
A Japanese city plans to ban plastic shopping bags, but can it push its larger neighbors to follow suit?
International concern over the environmental damage done by the use of plastic in various forms is now the topic of political and economic discussions across the planet. Dealing with plastic waste, especially in the ocean, is one of the long-term issues that Japan has promised to address at this year's...
JAPAN
Jan 17, 2019
Osaka officials meet residents near G20 site to discuss traffic restrictions and other measures ahead of June meeting
Residents near the venue for the June 28-29 Group of 20 leaders' summit will face traffic restrictions immediately before and after the meeting, Osaka officials said Wednesday evening, but the exact measures are still being worked out.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 9, 2019
New Year's party skipped as tensions run high between Osaka's ruling coalition partners
As Osaka enters 2019 with a full political schedule, including local and national elections and the Group of 20 Leaders' Summit, relations between ruling coalition partners Komeito and Osaka Ishin no Kai (One Osaka), a local political party, remain tense, creating potential political problems in both...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Jan 9, 2019
Abe's plan to battle Japan's regional brain drain draws mixed reviews
Like other major cities around the world, Tokyo acts as a magnet for the rest of the country, attracting people whose energy and talents spark new businesses and forms of art and culture, which, in turn, attract even more people.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 26, 2018
Osaka Gov. Ichiro Matsui reveals deal with Komeito to hold referendum on merging city wards
Osaka Gov. Ichiro Matsui revealed Wednesday that his Osaka Ishin no Kai (One Osaka) political group had signed a deal with Komeito, in April 2017, to hold a referendum on merging the city's wards during the current terms of the prefectural and municipal assembly members, which expire in April 2019.
Japan Times
JAPAN / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE
Dec 23, 2018
Most Kyoto firms have no plans to add foreign workers, survey finds
The government may be planning to bring in nearly 345,000 foreign workers by 2023, but in Kyoto, a recent survey shows most firms outside the hospitality sector have no plans to discuss adding overseas laborers to their workforce.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE
Dec 23, 2018
With six months to go until G20 summit in Osaka, Japan sets out its agenda
With six months to go until the Group of 20 summit in Osaka, the basic agenda has been set for discussion on issues of global importance.
Japan Times
JAPAN / View from Osaka
Dec 15, 2018
From G20 to 2025 Expo, many challenges lay ahead for Kansai
In the moments after Osaka was awarded the 2025 World Expo on the early morning of Nov. 24, there was jubilation, back-slapping, and wide smiles. More than a few eyes glittered at the thought of what senior business leaders hoped would be a major cash cow. You could almost hear the clicking of soroban...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 11, 2018
Osaka officials kick off preparations for 2025 World Expo
Within weeks of being awarded the event, Osaka leaders on Tuesday kicked off preparations for the 2025 World Expo.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 11, 2018
Japan's two Aegis Ashore anti-missile candidate sites run into local opposition
Located in northwestern Honshu on the Sea of Japan coast, Akita Prefecture has long been thought of in Tokyo and especially western Japan as remote — part of poet Matsuo Basho's famed "The Narrow Road to the Deep North."
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 28, 2018
Japan gets mixed assessment from U.N. over efforts to curb greenhouse gases
The United Nations warned Tuesday that current national commitments to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions are insufficient to meet a 2030 reduction goal, and that unprecedented and urgent action is required by all nations — especially from members of the Group of 20 — to ensure global warming...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 26, 2018
Citing G20 security issues, Osaka shuts down over 80% of private lodging operations
Between June and September, over 80 percent of Osaka minpaku private lodgings have been ordered closed by the city, Osaka Mayor Hirofumi Yoshimura said earlier this month.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE
Nov 26, 2018
Time running out for Osaka leaders seeking to push city-prefecture integration plan
When Osaka Gov. Ichiro Matsui and Osaka Mayor Hirofumi Yoshimura left for Paris early last week for one final lobbying effort for the 2025 World Expo, they left behind a city and prefecture that remain deeply divided over their most basic political goal — the integration of Osaka Prefecture and the...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 24, 2018
As Osaka basks in glow of successful 2025 Expo bid, economic concerns move to the forefront
After Osaka wins the right to hold the event, questions about costs and integrated casino resorts come to the fore.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 24, 2018
Osaka wins bid to host 2025 World Expo
Osaka won the rights to host the 2025 World Expo, beating out rivals Yekaterinburg in Russia and the Azerbaijan capital of Baku, during voting in Paris on Friday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 23, 2018
Osaka governor and mayor make last-minute lobbying efforts in Paris to win 2025 World Expo
Officials, including Gov. Ichiro Matsui and Osaka Mayor Hirofumi Yoshimura attend last-minute lobbying efforts in Paris in a bid for the city of Osaka to be awarded rights to stage the 2025 World Expo.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 18, 2018
NGOs worry about their waning influence over the G20
Nongovernmental organizations are concerned whether Group of 20 leaders will heed their views over global issues.
Japan Times
JAPAN / View from Osaka
Nov 17, 2018
Kansai business community sees future foreign worker influx with both hope and concern
The news last week that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government is preparing to admit up to 345,000 foreign workers by 2023 has been met with a combination of hope they will help prop up agricultural, manufacturing and service sectors that are struggling to find workers, and concern that Abe has rushed...

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Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?