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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
Dec 21, 2015
Tiny Japanese political party takes new name in bid to reverse its fortunes
A small opposition party established last year by conservative lawmakers, including former Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara, renamed itself Monday in an attempt to change its dismal fortunes ahead of this summer's Upper House election.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 8, 2015
Split Ishin parties end long-running internal feud, agree to divvy up subsidies
Finally ending a long-running and ugly battle over political funds, Osaka-based members of Ishin no To (Japan Innovation Party) and those outside of the prefecture signed a statement of reconciliation Tuesday, agreeing to split the party's ¥1.5 billion in government subsidies and return money left unused...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 7, 2015
Leaders of DPJ, Ishin no To to test unity with joint parliamentary group
Leaders of Japan's biggest and third-biggest opposition parties agree to form a joint parliamentary group and step up their challenge to the ruling Liberal Democratic Party ahead of next summer's Upper House election.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 1, 2015
Deep changes urged in Japan's male-centered work culture
A government advisory panel on gender equality calls on the nation to change the male-oriented work culture based on the outdated family model in which men work long hours while women take care of the home.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 24, 2015
French ambassador urges Japanese to visit Paris, promises safety ahead of U.N. climate summit
French Ambassador Thierry Dana on Tuesday urged Japanese tourists to visit Paris despite the recent deadly attacks claimed by the Islamic State group, saying the French lifestyle beloved by Japanese has not changed.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Nov 23, 2015
Fate of troubled Monju reactor hangs in the balance
The prototype fast-breeder reactor's future sits under a cloud after 20 years of misfires.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 12, 2015
DPJ on the rocks amid calls for merger with Ishin no To
Japan's largest opposition party appears to be in danger of falling apart as some core members demand it merge with Ishin no To (Japan Innovation Party).
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 10, 2015
Reconstruction minister denies misuse of political funds, underwear theft
Reconstruction minister Tsuyoshi Takagi on Tuesday dismissed any notion he will step down and denied separate allegations that he misused political funds and stole a young woman's underwear.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 22, 2015
Ex-Ishin no To members refuse to give up seal, bankbook as party paralyzed by leadership struggle
Ishin no To may be on the verge of vanishing as rebellious members threaten procedures to legally disband the party.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 21, 2015
Opposition bloc slams scandal-hit government for shying away from extra Diet session
The opposition camp asks the Lower House speaker for an extraordinary Diet session to hear information about TPP and the policies of new Cabinet members.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 20, 2015
Panel clears Obuchi over career-damaging scandal
A panel investigating former trade and industry minister Yuko Obuchi's alleged misuse of political funds ruled Monday she had no legal responsibility for the scandal that led to her resignation last year.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 15, 2015
Ishin no To expels pro-Abe faction, setting stage for creation of new party
Ishin no To (Japan Innovation Party) on Thursday expelled Osaka-based lawmakers who demanded that its leadership split the party in two and divide its political funds accordingly.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 14, 2015
Opposition contests chaotic Upper House vote, assails LDP for amending record of events
Was the vote valid?
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Oct 9, 2015
Extensive radiation study finds no internal cesium exposure in Fukushima children
An extensive study of internal radiation exposure in Fukushima Prefecture children detected no radioactive cesium among the examinees, according to the results of a study published Friday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 7, 2015
New ministerial post raises doubts, overlaps with other agencies
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's newly created ministerial post is raising questions from the public and the opposition camp over concerns its roles will overlap with other agencies.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 28, 2015
With eye on succeeding Abe, Ishiba launches own LDP faction
Liberal Democratic Party heavyweight and current minister for regional revitalization Shigeru Ishiba launched his own faction within the ruling party Monday, with an eye toward succeeding Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as the party's next president.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 25, 2015
DPJ, Ishin no To discuss common ground, possible joint campaign for Upper House election
The nation's two largest opposition parties agreed Friday to start discussing common ground with a view to fighting the Upper House election next summer with a united front.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 24, 2015
Abe aims arrows at new targets with three fresh goals for 'Abenomics,' 20% rise in GDP
The three new economic policy goals include: promotion of economic growth, child-rearing assistance and social security measures to increase nursing facilities for the elderly.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Sep 19, 2015
Policy hurdles remain despite passage of new security laws
Ignoring protests from furious voters and opposition lawmakers, the ruling camp led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has enacted two divisive security laws, marking a significant departure from Japan's postwar pacifism.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 19, 2015
Diet enacts security laws, marking Japan's departure from pacifism
Following boisterous confrontations in the Diet and more than three days of public protest, the Upper House finally enacted two divisive security laws early Saturday that will mark a significant departure from Japan's postwar pacifism.

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