author

 
 
 Eric Johnston

Meta

Eric Johnston
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 2, 2014
U.S. hails defense revamp
Tuesday's decision by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Cabinet to reinterpret the Constitution to allow collective self-defense has divided Japan, with some people fearing it would drag the nation into a U.S.-led war.
JAPAN
Jul 1, 2014
Prefectural and local authorities warn government over Constitution
Over the past few weeks, swaths of prefectural and local governments have condemned Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's moves to reinterpret the Constitution, citing either disagreement with the aim or opposition to how it was carried out.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 30, 2014
Ishin-Komeito ties fray in Osaka
Relations between Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) and New Komeito continue to deteriorate, with party heads Toru Hashimoto and Ichiro Matsui preparing to challenge two Osaka-based New Komeito leaders in the next Lower House election.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 25, 2014
Shiga governor race to hinge on public works, reactors
The race for the July 13 Shiga gubernatorial election will kick off Thursday with three candidates vying to replace Yukiko Kada, with the campaign expected to focus on public works spending and how to cope with nuclear reactors in neighboring Fukui Prefecture.
BUSINESS
Jun 23, 2014
Foreign maids the talk of Kansai zone
Discussions began in Osaka on Monday on a proposed special economic zone in the Kansai region that will include an experimental program to attract foreign maids to the region.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 22, 2014
Nippon Ishin split confirmed by party
Members of the Japan Restoration party have confirmed their split into two different camps, bringing an end to years of divided loyalties.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 22, 2014
Gambling experts await green light
At last month's Global Gaming Expo Asia (G2E) in Macau, casino and resort operators, game machine manufacturers, government officials and countless others gathered to review gaming laws and markets in countries ranging from Vietnam to China and the Philippines.
Japan Times
JAPAN / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE
Jun 22, 2014
Osaka on leading edge of casino debate
If Osaka Gov. Ichiro Matsui, Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto and their Osaka Ishin no Kai (One Osaka) members play their cards right, their gamble on casino legalization could hit the jackpot.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 19, 2014
Nakaima to drop call to kick out U.S. air base
Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima will scratch a call to oust Futenma air base from his address commemorating the end of the Battle of Okinawa next week.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jun 16, 2014
Japan's gambit in WWI set stage for a dark future
One hundred years ago, on June 28, 1914, Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo. It was the spark that led, one month later, to the beginning of World War I, which originally was expected to be confined to Europe and end in weeks. By the time it ended on Nov. 11, 1918, an estimated...
JAPAN / View from Osaka
Jun 14, 2014
Is 'rational' Toru Hashimoto acting irrationally?
Just how little influential political or intellectual opposition in Japan is there to fundamentally conservative politics and economic theories touting the wisdom of the corporate mentality? Well consider this: Toru Hashimoto, the mayor of Osaka and co-founder of Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration...
JAPAN
Jun 12, 2014
Fukui, neighbors agree on disaster cooperation
Fukui Prefecture, which hosts 13 of Japan's 48 nuclear reactors, agrees to participate in disaster drills and planning with neighbors Ishikawa and Nara.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jun 5, 2014
Reborn Nippon Ishin aims to stand out on policy, woo DPJ
Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) version 2.0 kicked off Thursday evening, with leader Toru Hashimoto vowing to pursue different policies from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the ruling coalition on energy and structural reform, and calling on like-minded members of the Democratic Party of...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 5, 2014
Naha mayor, foe of Futenma plan, to run for governor
In a move that could further complicate efforts by the central government to move the U.S. Futenma base from Ginowan to Henoko in northern Okinawa, Naha Mayor Takeshi Onaga, 63, has suggested he will run for run for governor in November.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 4, 2014
Hashimoto seeks Your Party tie-up
In a development that could create further tensions between the two main factions of soon to be divided Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party), co-leader Toru Hashimoto and Your Party head Keiichiro Asao announced a plan to coordinate key policies with the aim of forming a political alliance after...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
May 29, 2014
'Third force' couldn't overcome co-leaders' differences
The collapse of the political marriage of convenience between Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) co-leaders Toru Hashimoto and Shintaro Ishihara was long in coming, surprised no one, and suggests that, when it comes to Japanese political mergers at least, Rudyard Kipling was correct when he...
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 28, 2014
Kepco could defy courts and restart Oi reactors despite legal block
Last week's ruling by the Fukui District Court blocking the restart of two reactors at the Oi power plant in Fukui Prefecture continues to create controversy, with operator Kansai Electric Power Co. saying it may defy the decision and fire up the reactors if three conditions are met even as safety concerns mount.
Japan Times
JAPAN / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE
May 25, 2014
Kyoto law puts 'upskirt' photography in focus
Each spring, Kyoto is at its busiest. The cherry blossoms bring in multitudes of tourists, and the start of the new academic year means not only thousands of local students returning to the classroom, but also busloads of junior high and high school students from around the country arriving at hotels...
Japan Times
JAPAN / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE
May 25, 2014
Mobile-fixated girls easy prey for photo-snapping pervs
With more than 167,000 students studying at 49 universities, junior colleges and technical schools, and with large numbers of high school students visiting on trips, it's no surprise that Kyoto Prefecture can feel like a giant campus.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
May 22, 2014
Oi ruling may fuel anti-nuclear push
Wednesday's court ruling blocking restarts of the No. 3 and 4 reactors at Kansai Electric Power Co.'s Oi plant may embolden opponents of nuclear power nationwide.

Longform

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