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 Eric Johnston

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Eric Johnston
JAPAN
Apr 21, 2016
Fears grow as Takahama reactors near restart
As two aging reactors in the town of Takahama, Fukui Prefecture, move toward restart, safety concerns are growing in neighboring prefectures and municipalities within 30 km of the plant.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 18, 2016
Despite assurances, quakes prompt calls to switch off Japan's nuclear reactors
Calls in and outside of Japan are growing to shut down the nations' only two operating reactors at the Sendai plant in Kagoshima Prefecture.
Japan Times
JAPAN / View from Osaka
Apr 16, 2016
Matsui far from alone in pushing nuclear debate
Out from the murky, quivering flames/ Of burning, festering Hiroshima/ You look so monstrous, but could not know/ How far removed you are now from mankind— Excerpted from Toge Sankichi's "Hibakusha" ("A-Bomb Survivor"), translated by N. Palchikoff
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 14, 2016
Okinawa, Tokyo begin working-level talks over future of Futenma base
Okinawa and central government officials began working-level talks Thursday under a court-mediated settlement deal that calls for both sides to find a solution to the long-stalled issue of relocating U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Apr 14, 2016
Nuclear protesters sue NRA to halt Takahama reactor restarts
The suit, filed in the Nagoya District Court, warns that running the two Kansai Electric Power Co. units for another two decades would be dangerous.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 11, 2016
Kerry calls trip to Hiroshima site 'gut-wrenching' but mum on Obama visit in May
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry becomes the first top American diplomat to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 11, 2016
Street support for Obama to visit Hiroshima
As the foreign ministers from the Group of Seven nations met in Hiroshima, speculation was growing that U.S. President Barack Obama will visit the city when he comes to Japan next month for the G-7 leaders' summit in Mie Prefecture.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 10, 2016
Kishida discusses defense, diplomatic ties during meet with British counterpart Hammond
Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida met with British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond in the city of Hiroshima on Sunday afternoon.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 9, 2016
Statements by lawmakers cloud Japan's position on nuclear arms
When the foreign ministers from the Group of Seven industrialized nations gather in Hiroshima for a two-day meeting from Sunday, they will visit Hiroshima Peace Park and conclude their gathering with a "Hiroshima Declaration" that will likely express hope for a world without nuclear weapons.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 7, 2016
Hokkaido, Kyoto by-elections a test for both DP and LDP
Two by-elections later this month in Hokkaido and Kyoto will pose the first political tests for the newly formed Democratic Party as well as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling coalition.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Apr 4, 2016
Wild-card topics may trump main agenda in coming Mie G-7 summit
On May 26 and 27, the leaders of Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Canada, along with the presidents of the European Council and European Commission, will attend the annual Group of Seven leaders' summit in the Ise-Shima district of Mie Prefecture.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 30, 2016
Nuclear issues involving North Korea, Japan on table at Washington summit
The North's nuclear weapons program is thought to top a list of topics that world leaders, including Japan's prime minister, will discuss in Washington.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 30, 2016
Osaka governor says Japan should debate need for nuclear weapons
Osaka Gov. Ichiro Matsui, the head of Osaka Ishin no Kai, has voiced support for a national debate on whether or not Japan should possess nuclear weapons.
Japan Times
JAPAN / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE
Mar 27, 2016
Life good, clean, prosperous in Japan's backup capital of Osaka in 2060
Imagine, if you will, Japan in 2060.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 27, 2016
Ikata restart ruling prompts Kepco to raise threat of countersuits
Kansai Electric Power Co., angered by the decision earlier this month by the Otsu District Court in Shiga Prefecture to slap a provisional injunction on restarting two reactors at the Takahama nuclear power plant on safety grounds, is lashing out at its critics and threatening to sue them for lost revenue....
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 24, 2016
Rumored U.S. presidential visit to Hiroshima, Nagasaki stokes mixed reactions
The reports of a possible visit in May are creating excitement and concern about how it will be perceived.
Japan Times
JAPAN / View from Osaka
Mar 19, 2016
A Japanese version of Trump isn't so far-fetched
"On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."— H. L. Mencken, The Baltimore Evening Sun, July 26, 1920
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 18, 2016
Japan to return 331 kg of plutonium as U.S. official warns of proliferation risk
A large shipment of plutonium is expected to depart Japan soon amid a warning from a senior American official saying nuclear reprocessing in East Asia could lead to increased amounts of nuclear material that could be used for nuclear weapons.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 16, 2016
Osaka Ishin to campaign on local autonomy, free education in Upper House poll
Expanded local autonomy and free education until college are part of a series of proposals for constitutional revision that Osaka Ishin no Kai is finalizing in advance of this summer's Upper House election.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Mar 12, 2016
Knowledge is power: Navigating the household electricity market after deregulation
The country's household and small business electricity market will be deregulated from April 1, allowing individuals to choose their electricity provider. Optimists, especially renewable energy advocates and small entrepreneurs, hope the development will break the stranglehold that the country's 10 regional...

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