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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 / Politics
Apr 17, 2015
No concessions emerge from first Onaga-Abe meeting
Okinawa Gov. Takeshi Onaga uses his first meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to demand that the relocation of Futenma air base be halted.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 17, 2015
LDP grills TV executives but denies use of pressure tactics
A Liberal Democratic Party panel conducts a closed-door meeting with NHK and TV Asahi executives to demand “explanations” about their troubles, raising suspicions of state intimidation.
JAPAN
Apr 14, 2015
Government calls Taiwan's food-labeling move 'regrettable'
The government on Tuesday called Taiwan's plan to tighten regulations on Japanese food imports because of fears of radioactive contamination "extremely regrettable."
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Apr 13, 2015
Election results spotlight apathy, weak opposition
The ruling bloc's victories in the unified local elections are showcasing Japan's lack of viable political opposition while giving Prime Minister Abe momentum to pass unpopular security bills.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 10, 2015
Popular news program hit by LDP demand for 'neutral' coverage of 'Abenomics'
The LDP pressured major broadcaster TV Asahi to run “fair and neutral” programs about “Abenomics” ahead of the Lower House election in 2014, it is learned.
JAPAN
Apr 8, 2015
1984 Foreign Ministry report warned of Fukushima-type nuclear scenario
The Foreign Ministry secretly conducted a simulation in 1984 to assess damage from a hypothetical attack on a nuclear power plant in a war and concluded that up to 18,000 people would be killed with acute symptoms from radiation exposure, it emerged Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 7, 2015
Poll finds overwhelming opposition in Okinawa to Futenma relocation plan
Amid claim and counterclaim by activists and politicians over the planned relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station, one factor is often ignored: what ordinary Okinawans think about the move.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 6, 2015
Tsunku's announcement of vocal-cord removal stuns fans
A shocking announcement by a popular singer and music producer has caused a big commotion, in particular among young people.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / ABENOMICS — THE BOTTOM LINE
Apr 6, 2015
BOJ's easing said unsustainable
The launch of aggressive monetary easing by the Bank of Japan stunned financial markets two years ago. But is it still sustainable? If not, how long can it continue?
JAPAN
Mar 27, 2015
Civil servants to be offered earlier summertime shifts
Government workers will be encouraged to start and leave earlier this summer to promote family time against population decline, but labor critics say it could lead to abuse.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 25, 2015
MSDF commissions its biggest helicopter carrier yet
The Maritime Self-Defense Force commissions its largest-ever helicopter carrier as officials deny that the massive vessel could be used as a conventional aircraft carrier or represents a prototype for one in the future.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 24, 2015
Government continues Henoko base work, ignoring demand by Okinawa governor
The central government launches into an all-out battle with the Okinawa Prefectural Government, saying the prefecture's order to halt preparatory work for the Futenma replacement base is “illegal and obviously invalid.”
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 23, 2015
Okinawa governor threatens to pull plug on landfill work for Futenma replacement
Okinawa Gov. Takeshi Onaga tells the Okinawa Defense Bureau to suspend 'any act that changes the status quo of the seabed' and warns he may revoke permission for land reclamation unless the bureau stops the work within a week.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 19, 2015
Three Japanese women killed in Tunisia museum attack
The assault in the Tunisian capital, reportedly by two gunmen wearing military fatigues, also injured three Japanese, one of whom has spoken about her ordeal.
JAPAN / History
Mar 18, 2015
Japanese historians seek revision of U.S. textbook over 'comfort women' depiction
A group of 19 Japanese historians and scholars plan to file a protest with U.S. publisher McGraw-Hill, claiming a history textbook it published in 2011 contains a number of "factual errors" on the "comfort women" issue.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Mar 16, 2015
Floating fortress Musashi, symbol of Japan's naval ambitions, now a war grave
The super-dreadnought that once served as the flagship of the Imperial Japanese Navy has been found lying in sections in the dark ocean depths of the Philippines, 70 years after the end of World War II.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets / ANALYSIS
Mar 13, 2015
Nikkei closes at 15-year high, but many analysts remain skeptical
The stock market has stayed the course in making gains, and the benchmark Nikkei 225 average finished at 19,254.25 on Friday, its highest level in 15 years, and top government officials were quick to give credit to "Abenomics" economic and financial policies, claiming they have been a boon for market...
Japan Times
JAPAN / History
Mar 10, 2015
Statement adviser to Abe: Acknowledge Japan waged 'war of aggression'
A noted political and diplomatic scholar widely considered to be a close adviser to Prime Minister Shinu00adzo Abe takes a surprising stance.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 6, 2015
Cabinet moves to put SDF officers, civilians on equal footing
The Cabinet approves historic proposals to weaken civilian control over the Self-Defense Forces by giving military officers equal footing with civil servants in planning SDF operations.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 6, 2015
Hatoyama stirs trouble with plan to visit Crimea
Former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who retired from politics in December 2012, never failed to draw public attention during his career.

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