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 Eric Johnston

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Eric Johnston
Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura attends a ceremony marking the first minting of a commemorative coin for the expo with the event's mascot, Myaku-Myaku, in Osaka on Monday.
JAPAN / Society
Aug 10, 2023
Three hurdles stand between Osaka Expo and 2025 opening
Broadly speaking, the expo faces three high hurdles in its dash toward the finish line, and having everything ready for the April 13, 2025, opening.
Masatoshi Akimoto at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on Thursday
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 7, 2023
Scandal-hit ex-LDP member a major backer of renewable energy
Masatoshi Akimoto opposes building new nuclear reactors or replacing current ones, and has said that wind power in particular has much potential.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks to reporters in Tokyo on July 28.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 4, 2023
Kishida confirms plan to merge My Number and health insurance card
Kishida apologized for the anxiety caused by recent errors and announced a series of steps in the hope of restoring public trust.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and other ministers at an event for the 2025 Osaka Expo at the education ministry in Tokyo on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Society
Aug 3, 2023
Japan plans to insure construction firms against Osaka expo losses
Doubts remain over whether the move will be enough to push more than 50 countries to design, build and complete their pavilions before the expo opens.
The planned 2025 Osaka Expo site
JAPAN / Society
Jul 31, 2023
First foreign pavilion application fails to calm Osaka Expo nerves
Officials worry that unless other countries move to set up their pavilions soon, some who have agreed to build them could reverse course.
The artificial island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay, a venue for the 2025 Osaka Expo
JAPAN
Jul 28, 2023
Osaka Expo asks for overtime cap exemption as time pressure mounts
The move comes as the expo faces mounting concerns that construction, especially of pavilions for foreign nations, will not be completed on time for the scheduled opening in April 2025.
Danish ambassador Peter Taksoe-Jensen hopes for a "ketchup effect" in the development of Japan's offshore wind potential.
ENVIRONMENT
Jul 27, 2023
Unlocking Japan's offshore wind potential requires change in mindset
While Japan has made progress in expanding its offshore wind power, Denmark’s ambassador to Japan says that the pace of change is still too slow.
The design for the Japan Pavilion at the 2025 Osaka Expo.
JAPAN
Jul 24, 2023
Pessimism over Osaka Expo opening grows after construction head criticizes organizers
There is growing pessimism about the fate of the expo, with speculation that postponing the starting date might now be necessary in order to get everything completed.
Employees of a fishing net manufacturer, including Ainu Indigenous people, work at a facility in Urahoro, Hokkaido, in June.
ENVIRONMENT / OUR PLANET
Jul 23, 2023
In Hokkaido, an Ainu group's lawsuit and climate change converge on salmon fishing
The Raporo Ainu Nation in Hokkaido is fighting for its Indigenous rights to fish for salmon. But warming waters are raising questions about future fish stocks.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 21, 2023
China’s blanket testing for Japanese seafood affecting Japanese businesses
Seafood from five Japanese firms remains at Chinese customs, running the risk of a ¥100 million loss if they end up spoiling.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 19, 2023
China’s blanket radiation testing could spell trouble for Japanese seafood imports
The news comes ahead of Japan’s plan to begin releasing treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima No. 1 plant into the sea.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 7, 2023
Fukushima water release nears after OK from nuclear watchdog
The Nuclear Regulation Authority gave its stamp of approval to safety processes at Tepco's treated water release facilities, while Seoul also backed the safety of the water release.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Jul 7, 2023
With overseas pavilions not yet started, time is running out for Osaka Expo
Local officials are pressuring the central government to do more so the event meets what they admit is a very tight schedule for completion.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jul 5, 2023
Cracks in LDP faction once headed by Abe may deepen under group leadership
The inability of the new leaders to unite the faction makes it less powerful than its size would indicate.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 4, 2023
IAEA endorses Japan’s release of treated water from Fukushima plant
The organization’s safety assessment report concluded that the discharge of the treated water into the sea is “consistent with relevant international safety standards.”
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 30, 2023
EU envoy praises Hokkaido's 'smart approach' as leaders eye green opportunities
When Prime Minister Fumio Kishida travels to Brussels in July, renewable energy and a green transformation will be on the agenda as the two sides move to increase their cooperation.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 27, 2023
LDP and Komeito try to patch up differences with election deal
The two parties have agreed to endorse each other's candidates everywhere except Tokyo in the next general election.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 22, 2023
Kishida looks ahead amid speculation over Cabinet reshuffle and LDP leadership changes
Both moves, if made, would be aimed at boosting the prime minister's popularity and strengthening his position within the LDP ahead of an autumn parliament session.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 20, 2023
LDP power struggle in Yamaguchi shows waning influence of Abe faction
With Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi having been selected for the new No. 3 district, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's caucus has come out on top over the Abe faction.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 19, 2023
Sweden’s 2030 Winter Olympics bid a setback for Sapporo
Sapporo is expected to face pressure to consider officially dropping its bid amid lackluster local support.

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