author

 
 
 Eric Johnston

Meta

Eric Johnston
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Apr 24, 2023
Kishida rules out snap poll after LDP wins big in Sunday by-elections
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party received a welcome boost Sunday night as four of five LDP-affiliated or supported candidates won key parliamentary by-elections.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 20, 2023
Voter reaction to attack on Kishida could impact Sunday by-elections
How the ruling party performs is expected to influence Kishida’s decision on whether to call a snap election in the coming months.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Apr 17, 2023
G7 ministers promise more green energy use, but timeline on coal exit elusive
Japan’s position, adopted by the country's ministers, is that each country has its own economic energy situation that requires different methods to achieve carbon neutrality.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 16, 2023
G7 environment ministers agree on drastic expansion of wind power, but no coal exit timeline
Agreement leaves open the possibility of current coal plants employing controversial new technologies like hydrogen and ammonia co-fired plants as well as carbon capture and storage.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 14, 2023
Osaka hits the jackpot in bid to become Japan’s first casino resort
The Osaka resort will consist of hotels, shops and a convention center to go along with the casino, and about 20 million people a year are expected to visit.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Apr 14, 2023
Japan on defensive going into G7 environment ministers summit
Tokyo is facing pressure from other G7 leaders to phase out coal power by 2030, while renewable energy proponents are seeking to push Japan to ramp up renewables.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 11, 2023
Sapporo looks to change Winter Games bid to 2034 amid opposition
The Japanese Olympic Committee has said that it will be difficult to proceed with the 2030 bid due to public sentiment.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 10, 2023
The by-elections that could determine Kishida's snap election call
The April 23 votes could determine whether the prime minister heads into next month’s G7 summit with clear political skies, or under a cloud with party rivals grumbling about his leadership.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 9, 2023
Nippon Ishin candidates win big in Kansai region local elections
The opposition party's Osaka gubernatorial and mayoral candidates rolled to victory, assuring Nippon Ishin that it will remain a force in local and national politics in the months ahead.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 9, 2023
Could Hokkaido be the key to Japan's renewable ambitions?
As Japan looks to shift its energy mix toward cleaner sources, vast Hokkaido is drawing attention for its enormous potential for wind power.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Apr 3, 2023
Ryuichi Sakamoto, an outspoken peace and environment activist
The award-winning composer took a particularly strong anti-nuclear stance that put him at odds with Japanese officialdom.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Apr 3, 2023
Rising number of uncontested seats in Japan sparks calls for change
A quarter of candidates in 41 prefectural assembly elections ran unopposed — the second highest ever — prompting even the winners to call for reforms.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Mar 22, 2023
Can Nippon Ishin 'skip' to true national political prominence?
The Osaka-born party faces a make-or-break moment in next month’s series of local elections across the nation.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 8, 2023
Documents scandal involving Cabinet minister an untimely political headache for Kishida
The economic security minister has come under fire for files an opposition lawmaker says is proof she was involved in pushing for a legal reinterpretation of the broadcasting law.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Mar 6, 2023
Osaka’s exclusion of Dentsu and Hakuhodo expected to impact 2025 Expo
The two companies have been excluded from the event following their indictment over Tokyo Games bid-rigging, but not many ad firms in Japan boast their level of experience.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 27, 2023
Yamaguchi by-election puts spotlight on dynastic politics
Nobuchiyo Kishi thought reminding voters of his politician relatives was a good move, but he has been accused of just taking over the family business and not caring about voters' problems.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 24, 2023
Ukraine would welcome a visit by Kishida, envoy in Japan says
“From our point of view, it’s extremely important for Kishida … to visit Ukraine and see it with his own eyes, in order to be able to feel what is going on,” envoy Sergiy Korsunsky said.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 16, 2023
Kishida’s child care plans raise questions about who will pay and how
Details of the proposal have become a hotly debated topic as Japan looks ahead to key local elections in April.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Explainer
Feb 15, 2023
The continuing saga of the Tokyo Games scandal
The arrest of four more people last week has shaken the Japanese Olympic Committee and dealt a further blow to Sapporo’s quest to host the 2030 Winter Games.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 13, 2023
Spotlight falls on Japan LGBTQ bill as G7 summit nears
While Kishida has indicated he favors early passage of the bill, opposition from within his own party could make it difficult for it to clear parliament before the May meeting in Hiroshima.

Longform

Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'