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April 06, 2025
 

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Eric Johnston

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Eric Johnston
JAPAN
Sep 6, 2018
Abe announces typhoon-hit Kansai airport will reopen to some domestic flights Friday
The airport remained closed Thursday after Typhoon Jebi caused flooding that damaged the main runway and tarmac, and drove a tanker into the bridge connecting the facility to the mainland.
JAPAN
Sep 5, 2018
Kansai counts the cost of Typhoon Jebi
Osaka and the Kansai region spent Wednesday cleaning up after Typhoon Jebi roared through the area Tuesday, causing widespread damage.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Sep 1, 2018
Crafting a Japanese gin: Domestic distilleries are producing low-volume, high-quality batches that source local ingredients
While rooftop beer gardens with cold glasses of one's favorite suds are the popular way among many in Japan to cool off during the hot summer and early weeks of autumn, gin, whether served neat with a bit of water, over the rocks, mixed in a tonic, or as one part of an endless variety of exotic cocktails...
JAPAN
Aug 30, 2018
Former Japanese diplomats, U.N. experts recall Kofi Annan's support and commitment
Former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who died earlier this month, was remembered by former Japanese diplomats and U.N. experts as a strong supporter of Security Council reform plans that could have given Japan a permanent seat.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 29, 2018
How one Hokkaido town curbed population decline in graying Japan
In early August, as much of the country suffered through some of its hottest temperatures on record, a small town in Hokkaido welcomed visitors from around the world to an annual photography festival that celebrated the outdoors.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 26, 2018
Nara steps up efforts to deal with record numbers of deer and tourists
It's getting ever more crowded in the ancient capital of Nara as record numbers of two-legged visitors encounter record numbers of four-legged residents, creating concerns about the health and safety of both groups.
JAPAN / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE
Aug 26, 2018
Osaka teachers resist mayor's plan to raise achievement test scores
Stung by the poor results of a national achievement test covering math, science, and Japanese, Osaka Mayor Hirofumi Yoshimura wants to raise scores on next year's exam by linking the test results to personnel evaluations and bonuses for school principals and teachers.
Japan Times
JAPAN / History
Aug 24, 2018
Tourism boom highlights evolution of Japan guidebooks
The nation's continuing tourism boom has been accompanied by countless new guidebooks and websites on all things Japanese. Today, those who want to learn about Japan are spoiled for choice. But that was not always the case.
Japan Times
JAPAN / View from Osaka
Aug 18, 2018
Osaka leaders revel as casinos bid for attention
When the Diet passed a law governing the operation of integrated casino resorts last month, public celebrations were few. Media polls showed strong public opposition to casinos, with respondents citing worries about problem gamblers and more crime.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Aug 9, 2018
Gov. Takeshi Onaga's death muddles long-standing U.S. base relocation plan in Okinawa
The passing of the late governor came less than two weeks after he announced he was revoking predecessor Hirokazu Nakaima's 2013 approval of a permit for the Henoko project.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 8, 2018
Okinawa Gov. Takeshi Onaga, long a voice for those opposed to U.S. bases in the prefecture, dies at 67
Okinawa Gov. Takeshi Onaga died Wednesday evening at age 67 following hospitalization related to pancreatic cancer.
JAPAN
Aug 5, 2018
Hokkaido celebrates 150th anniversary of its naming with a plug for ethnic diversity
Hokkaido formally celebrated the 150th anniversary of its name Sunday in Sapporo, with the Emperor and Empress in attendance and Ainu representatives performing traditional dances.
JAPAN
Aug 2, 2018
LDP lawmaker Tom Tanigawa under fire for saying LGBT relationships are ‘like a hobby’
Tanigawa has suggested “traditional” marriages between men and women, that produce children, prevent Japan from going to ruin, and opposes female succession to the Chrysanthemum Throne.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 1, 2018
Liberal Democratic Party campaign: Abe and rivals home in on local concerns
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's top political goal remains constitutional revision, including changing Article 9's war-renouncing clause. But for Liberal Democratic Party chapters across the country, priorities tend to be on local issues, especially securing financial assistance from Tokyo for all manner...
JAPAN
Jul 30, 2018
Two Osaka hotels join global war on plastic waste by banning straws
Joining the worldwide movement to combat plastic waste, two international hotels in Osaka are moving toward paper straws.
JAPAN
Jul 24, 2018
Record-breaking high temperatures likely a 'new normal' for Japan, experts warn
Official climate forecasts and experts are warning that the recent rise in temperatures is likely to become the new normal in the years ahead.
JAPAN / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE
Jul 22, 2018
Deadly rains in western Japan revive calls for disaster prevention ministry
The fatal rains and flooding in western Japan — and the ongoing difficulties caused by the extent of the damage and record high temperatures — have revived calls for creating a disaster prevention ministry that can coordinate and streamline rescue and relief efforts.
Japan Times
JAPAN / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE
Jul 22, 2018
Rampant bribery in Tokushima sheds light on rise on Japan's uncontested elections
Common sense might tell you that, as small towns and villages in Japan face aging and declining populations, they would do whatever they could to encourage their remaining residents to run for a seat on the council when election time comes.
JAPAN / History
Jul 21, 2018
Re-examining the Korean armistice: Give peace a chance
Ahead of the 65th anniversary of the truce that ended hostilities during the Korean War, we examine the conflict's mixed legacy in Japan.
JAPAN / View from Osaka
Jul 14, 2018
Inclusive approach needed as Kansai pushes U.N. development goals
Over the past six months or so, efforts have been underway by local governments and private businesses to promote the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Numerous speeches are being made about what Kansai might do to contribute to lofty ideals like ensuring the world has access to clean...
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.
Nissan says it will not take new U.S. orders for Mexican-built Infiniti SUVs
A Nissan manufacturing complex in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Nissan says it will not take new orders from the United States for two Mexican-built Infiniti SUVs following new auto tariffs levied by the U.S.
Japan digs deep to address 'national crisis' caused by Trump tariffs
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks during a news conference at the Prime Minister's Office on April 1. He has said that Japan is facing a "national crisis" following the introduction of new tariffs by the United States.
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.
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.
Tottori takes a bold leap forward in the arts
The city of Kurayoshi in Tottori Prefecture celebrated the opening of its public art museum with festivities such as a parade that drew 1,000 revelers.
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.
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
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