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 Eric Johnston

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Eric Johnston
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 29, 2016
Third reactor restart spurs fears over shaky Kansai evacuation plans
Kansai Electric fires up a reactor at the Takahama plant in Fukui despite misgivings about the region's ability to respond to a nuclear accident.
JAPAN
Jan 27, 2016
JR West chief gives blessing to Obama-Kyoto extension of Hokuriku Shinkansen Line
A plan by West Japan Railway Co. to the build an extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line between Obama, Fukui Prefecture, and the city of Kyoto has emerged as the front-runner in a tightly contested race, after the railway firm's president gave it his blessing.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 24, 2016
In proxy battle over Futenma base relocation, Ginowan mayor wins re-election
In what was seen as a proxy battle over the controversial Futenma U.S. base relocation plan, Ginowan Mayor Sakima wins re-election.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 24, 2016
Base rivals face off in pivotal Ginowan mayoral election
Voters in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, cast their ballots for a new mayor in a key local election with implications for the relocation of a contentious U.S. military base.
Japan Times
JAPAN / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE
Jan 24, 2016
Politics heating up over Hokuriku Shinkansen Line's undecided last leg
The opening last March of the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line extension to Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, brought the Hokuriku region closer to Nagano and Tokyo than ever before, and similar efforts are underway to connect the region with Kansai.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE
Jan 24, 2016
Barring the unforeseen, Kyoto's dwindling voters look set to keep kimono-clad mayor
Given Kyoto's prosperous domestic and international tourism industry, the mayoral election on Feb. 7 is widely expected to be an easy win for incumbent Daisaku Kadokawa, 65, who is backed by the Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito and the Democratic Party of Japan.
Japan Times
JAPAN / View from Osaka
Jan 16, 2016
Osaka Ishin walks a tightrope under its big top
Does the fate of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's efforts (at least in the Diet) to revise the Constitution lie in Osaka?
JAPAN
Jan 15, 2016
Osaka assembly passes nation's first ordinance against hate speech
The city of Osaka passed the nation's first ordinance by a major city against hate speech late Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 12, 2016
Mayoral candidates in Okinawa face off over U.S. base
Less than two weeks remain until a local election that may influence both the planned relocation of the Futenma military base and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's effort to secure a two-thirds majority in this summer's Upper House election.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 6, 2016
Impact on Japan from Saudi-Iranian strife likely to be minimal; mediator role possible: experts
Middle East experts say the execution of a senior Shiite cleric by Saudi Arabia will have minimal economic effect on Japan.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 28, 2015
Governor and mayor push for Osaka to become Japan's vice capital
Osaka Gov. Ichiro Matsui and Osaka Mayor Hirofumi Yoshimura took the first step Monday toward realizing their dream of making Osaka the nation's second — or vice — capital.
Japan Times
JAPAN / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE
Dec 27, 2015
Fukui defies critics of nuclear evacuation plan
Last week's approval by Fukui Gov. Issei Nishikawa to restart two Takahama nuclear reactors, followed by the Fukui District Court's lifting of a provisional injunction, means Japan will soon fire up its third and fourth reactors since 2012.
JAPAN / Politics / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE
Dec 27, 2015
Hashimoto factor keeps political pundits on edge of their seats
Well, that didn't take long. Less than 24 hours after finishing as Osaka mayor, Toru Hashimoto met with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Dec. 19.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 24, 2015
Fukui court lifts injunction on Takahama reactor restarts
The Fukui District Court overturns an injunction against restarting two reactors at the Takahama nuclear plant, clearing them to become the third and fourth to resume operation.
Japan Times
JAPAN / NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Dec 20, 2015
Summit preparations to increase security, but for whom?
Last month's terror attacks in Paris and the closely timed suicide bombings in Beirut have raised fears in Japan of a similar attack to unprecedented levels. With Japan hosting next year's Group of Seven leaders' summit in Mie Prefecture, and a host of smaller ministerial conferences elsewhere around...
JAPAN / View from Osaka
Dec 19, 2015
Curtain finally falls on the 'Toru Hashimoto Show'
"Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated."
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 18, 2015
Hashimoto's political career pauses, for now
The curtain came down on Toru Hashimoto's nearly eight-year political career Friday, with the Osaka mayor finishing his term in office.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 17, 2015
Subs, politics, China ties swirl as Australian leader visits Japan
The top item on the agenda is expected to be reaching an agreement with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on closer defense cooperation.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 16, 2015
Kyoto mayoral election a testing ground for Ishin
In a first local test for the newly formed Osaka Ishin no Kai national political party, a mayoral candidate in Kyoto on Tuesday won the support of Kyoto Ishin no Kai, a small group that aims to secure the backing of Osaka Ishin.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 14, 2015
Hashimoto passes Ishin no Kai mantle to Mitsui ahead of last day in office
With Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto's last day in office coming on Friday, Osaka Ishin no Kai, the national political party he also provisionally led, now faces life in the post-Hashimoto era.

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