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Mizuho Aoki
Mizuho Aoki is a staff writer covering local news, including the current Tokyo gubernatorial race, education and aviation-related stories. She graduated from Hitotsubashi Universty with a degree in social science.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 13, 2015
Ruling bloc parties explore positions on defense
The Liberal Democratic Party-Komeito ruling coalition kicked off formal discussions Friday on security legislation that would expand the range of missions the Self-Defense Forces could be deployed on.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 4, 2015
Abe condemns Islamic State's slaying of Jordanian pilot
The apparent execution of Mu'ath al-Kaseasbeh, a Jordanian air force pilot captured by the Islamic State, is “inhumane” and “despicable,” the prime minister said.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 3, 2015
Government did not beef up response team until video emerged
The government did not dispatch additional personnel to the embassy in Jordan until the first video showing two Japanese held at knife-point appeared two weeks ago, even though Tokyo knew the pair had been taken captive much earlier, Foreign Minister Fuu00admio Kiu00adshiu00adda says.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 2, 2015
Abe wants to enable SDF to rescue citizens overseas
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants to discuss granting the Self-Defense Forces a mandate to evacuate Japanese nationals from crises overseas.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Feb 1, 2015
Crisis awakens Japanese to shortcomings, realities
The hostage crisis that ended so tragically has taught Japan about the reality of life in a strife-filled part of the world.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 29, 2015
Goto gets sunset deadline extension
A new audio message purportedly from hostage Kenji Goto on Thursday morning declared that Jordan must present female prisoner Sajida al-Rishawi at the Turkish border by sunset on Thursday, or Jordanian air force pilot Mu’ath al-Kaseasbeh would be executed immediately.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 29, 2015
Abe pledges to 'correct' the record on wartime sex slaves
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged Thursday to increase efforts to alter views abroad on Japan's actions in World War II by disseminating the "correct" view, as he put it.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 27, 2015
DPJ questions Abe's timing of Mideast aid
The opposition camp presses Prime Minister Shinzo Abe over his decision to announce millions of dollars in nonmilitary aid to countries battling the Islamic State group at a time when Japanese citizens were known to be among its captives.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 26, 2015
Diet session opens with focus on security as hostage crisis continues
The Diet opens with expectations for the Abe administration to focus on security legislation in his quest to get the Japanese military more 'proactively' involved overseas.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Jan 25, 2015
Latest video a wake-up call to oil-dependent Japanese
Analysts say the gruesome video released by the Islamic State group has shocked the public about how the complex politics of the Middle East can affect the lives of fellow Japanese.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jan 21, 2015
Islamic State likely gave hostage ultimatum knowing difficulty of meeting it
The militant group, which aims to establish an Islamic caliphate, is likely using the hostage situation to generate renewed international attention, according to leading analysts.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 18, 2015
Okada defeats Hosono to win DPJ presidential election
Following a close runoff against Goshi Hosono, Katsuya Okada is elected president of the Democratic Party of Japan.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 15, 2015
DPJ presidential candidates vow to increase female ranks in Diet
The Democratic Party of Japan's three presidential candidates vow to add more female lawmakers to make the opposition leader strong enough to challenge the Liberal Democratic Party.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 9, 2015
DPJ's deputy gets personal in debate ahead of Jan. 18 leadership poll
The race to lead the Democratic Party of Japan turns personal as deputy leader Katsuya Okada accuses a rival of flip-flopping over merger talks.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 7, 2015
DPJ leadership campaign begins, with three candidates running
Goshi Hosono, a former minister in charge of dealing with the Fukushima disaster, Akira Nagatsuma, a former welfare minister, and deputy leader Katsuya Okada are vying for the party's top post.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Dec 31, 2014
Abe's goal of constitutional reform faces many challenges
This will be a tough year for the Abe administration as the calendar is full of policy goals that are unpopular with voters, observers say, particularly on defense policy.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 28, 2014
'Plant hunter' on quest to shake up horticulture with rare trees, flowers
From the isolated Socotra Islands off Yemen in the Arabian Sea to the dry forests of Argentina, Seijun Nishihata has traveled to 33 countries over the past 13 years to track down unique plant species for clients all over the world.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 25, 2014
Former leader Okada to seek DPJ's presidency again
Democratic Party of Japan policy maker and former chief confirms his latest run for the presidency of Japan's biggest opposition party.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 24, 2014
Abe vows to stay the course in third term as prime minister
Shinzo Abe vowed Wednesday to continue pursuing his economic, diplomatic and security policies after Diet members re-elected him to a third term as prime minister.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 16, 2014
Controversial to the end, Shintaro Ishihara bows out of politics
Hawkish former Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara officially puts an end to his nearly 50-year political career after losing his Diet seat in Sunday's Lower House election.

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