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 Eric Johnston

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Eric Johnston
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 1, 2013
Abe offer at TICAD: ¥3.2 trillion in aid
The fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development is set to kick off with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe set to pledge up to ¥3.2 trillion in total aid over the next five years.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 31, 2013
Hashimoto prevails over condemnation motions
Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto prevails over his city assembly foes when two condemnation motions against his remarks justifying Japan's 'comfort women' system are voted down.
Japan Times
JAPAN / NURTURING PARTNERSHIPS
May 30, 2013
China biggest rival as Japan seeks to tap African resources
When the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami led to three core meltdowns at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant, an atomic calamity that effectively put the nation's remaining 50 reactors out of action, Japan was suddenly faced with an energy crisis unseen since the oil shocks of the early 1970s.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 29, 2013
Japanese mayor calls off U.S. trip over wartime sex-slave defense
Osaka Mayor and Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) leader Toru Hashimoto announces that he is canceling the trip to San Francisco and New York he planned for next month.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 25, 2013
Ex-sex slaves won't meet Hashimoto
Two South Korean former 'comfort women' cancel their planned meeting with Nippon Ishin no Kai coleader Toru Hashimoto, saying via a representative that they don't want to be his political pawns.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
May 25, 2013
Hashimoto in unprecedented crisis
The list of those in and out of Japan, but especially in the United States, who scorn and deride Osaka Mayor and Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) coleader Toru Hashimoto for his justification for the wartime "comfort women" is growing daily, presenting a unprecedented crisis for the once-popular...
JAPAN / Politics
May 24, 2013
Hashimoto maintains he will still meet with sex-slavery victims, visit U.S.
Osaka Mayor and Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) coleader Toru Hashimoto said Thursday he still planned to meet Friday with two Korean former "comfort women" despite calls from both in and outside the party to cancel.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 22, 2013
Osaka takes plunge with canal pool
If an Osaka company has its way, getting roaring drunk and jumping, or falling, into Dotonbori Canal after either a Hanshin Tigers victory or a wild night out in neighboring Shinsaibashi will be less risky, healthwise, but it will no longer be free.
JAPAN / Politics
May 22, 2013
San Francisco mayor 'offended'; meeting in doubt
Embattled Osaka Mayor and Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) coleader Toru Hashimoto faced fresh criticism Tuesday from the San Francisco mayor's office over his remarks about the necessity of Japan's wartime brothels.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 18, 2013
The main question: Why did Hashimoto open his mouth?
Since news broke that Osaka maverick politician Toru Hashimoto said Japan's wartime sex slave system was necessary and U.S. soldiers in Okinawa should use more prostitutes, the question is why did he say this?
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 17, 2013
Hashimoto stays in the hot seat
International condemnation of Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto's comment that the wartime sex slavery system was necessary continues, with the U.S. calling his remarks outrageous and offensive.
JAPAN / Politics
May 16, 2013
Hashimoto sticks to guns on sex slaves
Osaka politician Toru Hashimoto refuses to retract his remarks justifying the use of 'comfort woman' during the war and the need for legal brothels in Okinawa for U.S. service members.
Japan Times
JAPAN / History
May 15, 2013
Hashimoto takes flak for sex slave rationale
The backlash against Osaka political maverick Toru Hashimoto escalates over his remarks justifying Japan's wartime sex slave system and his suggestion that U.S. soldiers in Okinawa use more prostitutes.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 14, 2013
Hashimoto struggles to keep Nippon Ishin no Kai relevant, distinct from LDP
The survival of Nippon Ishin no Kai is thrown into doubt as coleader Toru Hashimoto gropes for ways to keep it relevant and distinct from the ruling LDP.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
May 14, 2013
Turks in Kansai fear Inose gaffe indicative of wider ignorance about culture
'Stupid', 'shockingly provincial' and 'a sign of how little Japanese people really understand that part of the world' were among the reactions of Turkish residents in Kansai to Tokyo Gov. Naoki Inose's comments about Turkey and the wider Muslim world.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 11, 2013
Hashimoto rules out running in Upper House election
Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, coleader of Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party), said again Friday that he won't run in this summer's Upper House election, saying his power as a Diet member would be so limited that all he'd be able to do is hang out at ramen stands.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 8, 2013
Kyoto's cultural treasures at mercy of Fukui reactors
Each spring, thousands of tourists visit the ancient capital of Kyoto to enjoy what, for many, is the quintessential Japanese experience of viewing cherry blossoms in the cradle of the nation's traditional culture.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 8, 2013
Hashimoto rips Sakai mayor over integration vote
Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, coleader of Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party), criticized on Tuesday a proposal by Sakai Mayor Osami Takeyama to hold a city referendum on participating in an integrated Osaka, calling it nonsense and a political stunt.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 2, 2013
Heritage status will mean big changes
Local and prefectural governments and businesses surrounding Mount Fuji welcomed the news that the World Heritage Committee is expected to designate Japan's most famous and popular mountain as a World Heritage site, despite concerns about what it will mean to the local environment and questions about...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 30, 2013
Hashimoto eyes tieup with Okinawa group favoring Futenma base plan
Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, coleader of Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party), is expected to sign a policy agreement with a local Okinawa political group that supports relocation of the Futenma military base within the prefecture.

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