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November 22, 2024
 

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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 Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 11, 2015
Ruling coalition reaches agreement on bills to expand SDF's role
The Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito reach agreement on legislation that would expand the scope of the Self-Defense Forces' activities overseas and expand the areas in which they can operate.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 7, 2015
LDP seeks all-party talks on revising pacifist Constitution
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party called Thursday for all-party talks on revising the Constitution in areas they can agree upon, in an apparent bid to lower the bar for a first-ever revision of the U.S.-drafted charter.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 28, 2015
LDP aims to revise Constitution by 2017
A key member of the Liberal Democratic Party said Tuesday he wants the party to achieve its long-held goal of revising the Constitution within the next two years, arguing the 68-year-old charter should be updated to adapt to a changing domestic and international environment.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 14, 2015
Ruling parties resume battle over SDF mission expansion bills
The Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito restart debate on security legislation aimed at giving the Self-Defense Forces a bigger role on overseas missions.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Apr 13, 2015
Abe camp's push for white-collar merit pay seen as no-overtime wages ploy
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's administration submitted a revised Labor Standards Law to the Diet earlier this month that would allow firms to exempt well-paid skilled workers from work-hour regulations — the so-called white-collar exemption system, which would effectively do away with overtime pay.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / ABENOMICS — THE BOTTOM LINE
Apr 7, 2015
'Abenomics' fails to get households spending
Data suggest the BOJ's massive quantitative easing has pushed the yen's value down, benefiting big firms and boosting stock prices, but when it comes to household budgets, it is a different story.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 6, 2015
Takaichi denies Shukan Post story alleging loan scandal
Internal affairs minister Sanae Takaichi flatly denied allegations Monday by a weekly magazine about her brother's involvement in a dubious loan scandal, accusing the publication of fabricating the story.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 24, 2015
In gaffe, Abe refers to SDF as 'military'
Despite Japan's official view that the Self-Defense Forces' legal nature makes it different from the militaries of other nations, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe calls the SDF “our military.”
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 20, 2015
Coalition takes major step toward loosening SDF rules
The ruling coalition reaches a formal deal on security legislation, bringing the Abe administration one step closer to expanding the role Japan's military can constitutionally play overseas.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 17, 2015
Multiparty group to examine LGBT discrimination
A group of lawmakers on Tuesday launched a multiparty caucus to examine discrimination against sexual minorities in a move expected to further intensify debate ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
JAPAN / History
Mar 12, 2015
LDP panel explores ways to convey Japan's views on sex slave issue
Some members said a strategic plan is needed to lobby other countries on the issue of 'comfort women,' a euphemism for those forced to work in Japan's wartime military brothels.
Japan Times
JAPAN / 3/11 STILL BEING FELT
Mar 12, 2015
Produce worries easing but some fish, wild foods still a problem in wake of Fukushima meltdowns
The public panic over the threat of radioactive food has subsided in the four years since the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant experienced three reactor core meltdowns and spewed massive amounts of fallout, but worries persist.
JAPAN
Mar 6, 2015
Abe presses forward on collective defense
The Abe administration proposed Friday amending the Self-Defense Forces Law to make it legal to exercise the right to collective self-defense, moving a step closer to the possibility that Japan will use military force even if it is not under direct attack.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 5, 2015
Shimomura admits support groups told to stay mum on fund allegations
Education Minister Hakubun Shimomura admitted Thursday that his secretary had urged support groups not to speak to reporters about allegations that he misused political funds.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 26, 2015
Education chief denies report he received illegal funds
Education minister Hakubun Shimomura denies allegations by a muck-raking magazine that he received illegal political donations, accusing it of failing to check the facts.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 24, 2015
Opposition assails Abe over Nishikawa resignation
Opposition parties refused Tuesday to convene a scheduled session of the Lower House Budget Committee and instead unleashed a salvo of taunts over the surprise resignation of farm minister Koya Nishikawa the day before.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 20, 2015
LDP, Komeito split on SDF's overseas role
The Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner Komeito remained far apart Friday over how far to expand the Self-Defense Forces' overseas activities in line with the Abe administration's controversial reinterpretation of the pacifist Constitution last summer.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 18, 2015
Abe's JA reforms no salve for core problems, experts say
Takashi Tomita, who heads an agricultural cooperative in Echizen, Fukui Prefecture, is considered a ray of hope for a farming sector on the brink of collapse.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 16, 2015
Abe affirms bid to revise Constitution
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has confirmed his administration aims to revise the Constitution, saying in the Diet that amending the pacifist charter is one of his party's most sought-after goals.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Feb 16, 2015
Japanese deaths stir debate on hostage rescue capabilities
Following the gruesome executions of two Japanese by the Islamic State group, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe seems more eager than ever for legal authority to deploy Self-Defense Forces elements overseas, saying it is the government's duty to rescue its citizens.
Two of America’s biggest debt holders are dumping Treasurys
The U.S. Treasury building in Washington. Investors in Japan and China sold a pile of U.S. debt in the last quarter, just before the U.S. presidential election.
Ishiba aggravates his own political failures with diplomatic faux pas
Prime Minster Shigeru Ishiba is greeted at the APEC summit in Lima by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday. The Japanese leader was criticized for remaining seated while meeting several world leaders at the event.
Japan's 3.31 million visitors in October set monthly record
Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto in December 2023. Famous autumn leaf colors contributed to increased tourism demand last month from many markets across Asia, Europe and North America, the Japan National Tourism Organization has said.
Japan ranks last in romance satisfaction for second straight year
In a survey of 31 countries, Japan ranked last in terms of those who felt loved, with just 51% of respondents saying so.
Ruling coalition and DPP strike last-minute deal over economic policy
DPP policy chief Makoto Mahaguchi speaks at the party's policy gathering in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Japan, U.K. and Italy discuss inviting more countries to joint fighter project
A new concept model of a next-generation fighter jet to be jointly developed by Japan, Britain and Italy is on display in Farnborough, Hampshire, in July.
Haruki Murakami's 'The City and Its Uncertain Walls' gives deep deja vu
For “The City and Its Uncertain Walls,” translated into English by Philip Gabriel, Haruki Murakami confronts the ghosts who won't leave him alone.
Japanese expats in Asia find community through rugby
The Taiwan Fivewoods celebrate their victory at the 2023 Asian Japanese Rugby Cup in December of last year.
In Fukushima, a weekend of prose, poetry and translation
Aomori-based writer JJ Carter presented on tabletop gaming as creative inspiration for building characters and narratives.
For Dr. Nakamats, aging is just experience in action
Though he didn't win the recent gubernatorial election in Tokyo, the 96-year-old Dr. Nakamats' run was seen as inspirational in Japan's aging society.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

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

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