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 Reiji Yoshida

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Reiji Yoshida
Reiji Yoshida is a staff writer and deputy manager of the Domestic News Division. Since joining The Japan Times in 1993, he has intensively covered domestic politics, diplomacy and defense issues as well as the 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 29, 2016
Former LDP defense chief Koike goes rogue, announces bid to be Tokyo's first female governor
The LDP veteran bucks her party, throwing her hat into the ring for the gubernatorial election slated for next month.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 29, 2016
Top official denies claim that Chinese fighter was close to firing on ASDF jet
A senior government official on Wednesday flatly denied allegations written on a news website claiming that a Chinese fighter was close to firing on an Air Self-Defense Force jet that had been scrambled over the East China Sea.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 25, 2016
Abe expresses concern over Brexit-related currency fluctuations at election debate
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Friday Japan will take "every measure" to ensure stability in global financial markets following Britain's vote to exit from the European Union.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 22, 2016
LDP grandee Kunio Hatoyama dead at 67
The death was announced Wednesday of veteran lawmaker and former internal affairs minister Kunio Hatoyama. He was 67.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 21, 2016
SEALDs leader's invite to Fuji Rock sparks online debate
A controversy has broken out on social media after the name of a high-profile youth activist appeared last week on the list of artists attending this year's Fuji Rock Festival.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 16, 2016
Masuzoe to get ¥22 million retirement allowance after quitting Tokyo governorship
Regardless of behavior and performance, a governor's retirement allowance is determined solely by their monthly salary and the number of months served in office.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 15, 2016
Masuzoe resigns over expenses scandal; Sakurai vows not to enter forthcoming gubernatorial race
After weeks of mounting pressure over a political funds scandal that has tainted his office, Tokyo Gov. Yoichi Masuzoe on Wednesday submitted a letter of resignation to the Tokyo assembly speaker, which takes effect on Tuesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 14, 2016
Tokyo governor, facing no-confidence vote, likely to resign
Embattled Tokyo Gov. Yoichi Masuzoe is likely to be forced to step down after the ruling coalition in the metropolitan assembly threatened to submit a no-confidence motion against him on Wednesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 13, 2016
What are the chances of a mass shooting in Japan?
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga has vowed to tighten security to protect Japanese citizens both at home and abroad after a gunman killed scores at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida. But exactly how at risk of a mass shooting is Japan?
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 7, 2016
If formed, a Tokyo assembly committee could pry Masuzoe from governorship
Public calls for Tokyo Gov. Yoichi Masuzoe to step down grow despite his apology a day earlier and a pledge to refund some of the ¥4.4 million he misspent.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 3, 2016
Close Abe aides eyed over last-minute change in economy slides presented at G-7 summit
The Group of Seven summit meeting last week in Ise, Mie Prefecture, chaired by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, has raised suspicions about Japan's political agenda.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 1, 2016
Abe delays tax hike weeks before election
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday announced he is pushing back a second-stage hike in the consumption tax, from April next year to October of 2019.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jun 1, 2016
As voters welcome Japan's tax-hike delay, experts warn on costs
Economy mavens are split over the merits of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's decision to delay the consumption tax hike to 2019.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
May 30, 2016
LDP grandees fall into line on postponing second-stage tax hike
Despite their earlier opposition, top executives in the Liberal Democratic Party effectively endorse Abe's plan to shelve the planned second-stage hike of the unpopular consumption tax.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 28, 2016
G-7 a precursor for Abe's pivot on consumption tax hike
The prime minister may have tried to use the G-7 summit for his own domestic political goal: creating a pretext to break his consumption tax pledge.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 27, 2016
G-7 broadly agrees on ways to spur growth
Leaders agree to better cooperate on fiscal measures, but they remain sharply divided on how much each country should spend.
BUSINESS / Economy
May 27, 2016
Abe says he may delay tax hike to help ward off global economic 'crisis'
Prime Minister cites deteriorating conditions of certain emerging economies, including China.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 26, 2016
Abe's pro-Shinto motives in spotlight with choice of G-7 opening ceremony venue
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe looked satisfied as he met top leaders from the Group of Seven countries at the gate to a giant Shinto-style wooden bridge.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 26, 2016
Anger over Okinawa murder grows despite Obama's 'deep regret' over the incident
A day after U.S. President Barack Obama expressed deep regret over the slaying of an Okinawa woman linked to a U.S. former marine, anger over the incident showed no signs of abating Thursday with Okinawa lawmakers calling for withdrawal of the U.S. Marines from their prefecture.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 26, 2016
G-7 vows to ease plight of middle class worldwide
G-7 leaders pledged Thursday to spur economic growth, fight corruption and clamp down on tax evasion by the rich.

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