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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 / EXPLAINER
Mar 3, 2014
Independent NHK chained to Diet leash
NHK, which is often compared with the BBC in the U.K., has been a focus of public attention and intense criticism in recent weeks. Many people are taking a closer look at the public broadcaster, including its history and whether it has been politically influenced by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's right-leaning...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 21, 2014
Abe adviser says WSJ article on military buildup is false
Etsuro Honda, a key economic adviser to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, denies stressing that one of the main goals of 'Abenomics' is for Japan to build up a more powerful military and stand up to China, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 19, 2014
Abe aide pillories U.S. on YouTube
In a video posted to YouTube, a special adviser to Shinzo Abe takes the U.S. government to task for not supporting the prime minister's decision to visit Yasukuni Shrine in December.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 13, 2014
Nago mayor remains defiant over Futenma plan
Susumu Inamine, mayor of Nago, Okinawa Prefecture, vowed Thursday to use every weapon in his arsenal to block the central government's efforts to construct a replacement base in his city for the U.S. Futenma airfield.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 7, 2014
DPJ exec's denial of Nanjing stands
The Democratic Party Of Japan's Diet Affairs Chief, Declines To Retract His Remarks Almost Seven Years Ago Insisting That There Was No Nanjing Massacre.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 5, 2014
NHK governors reveal rightist views
A member of NHK's board of governors has written an essay praising a right-wing activist who committed suicide in the Asau00adhi Shimu00adbun building in 1993, raising questions about the public broadcaster's political neutrality.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 2, 2014
Momii's rise tests NHK's reputation
For millions of Japanese, and even Japan-watchers abroad, NHK is a trusted source of information: gray in tone perhaps, but neither black nor white on the issues. This assumption has been put to the test by new NHK Chairman Katsuto Momii, whose recent remarks have led many to wonder whether the public...
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 28, 2014
Abe in Diet mum on storm over NHK boss' 'comfort women' stance
Seeking to avoid a political minefield, Prime Minister Shinu00adzo Abe declines to comment on NHK Chairman Kau00adtsuto Momii's recent explosive remark on wartime sexual servitude.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 24, 2014
Anti-nuclear Koizumi feels resolved to whatever fate comes his way
Former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, 72, said Friday he is resolved to whatever fate befalls him now that he has been energized by his life's mission: staunch opposition to nuclear power.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 24, 2014
Abe talks economy, not diplomatic rifts, at Diet opener
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe opens the 150-day ordinary Diet session with a policy speech that reaffirmed his vow to push up wages and expand consumption to make his 'Abenomics' economic policy sustainable
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 23, 2014
Abe not painting war with China scenario, Suga assures
...
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 23, 2014
Economy to be Abe's Diet focus, at least at first
This year's 150-day regular Diet session will open Friday with a key policy speech by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expected to play to his strength — the economy — rather than his controversial diplomatic or national security policies.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 22, 2014
Hosokawa to play Tokyo nuke card
Morihiro Hosokawa pledges to try to end Tokyo's dependence on nuclear power as he finally makes his candidacy for governor official just a day before campaigning officially starts.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 22, 2014
Old LDP nemesis rides comeback trail to Tokyo
Morihiro Hosokawa, the former prime minister who rocked and transformed Japanese politics in the early 1990s, is back, this time as a leading candidate for Tokyo governor, running as an anti-nuclear crusader seeking the abolishment of all atomic power plants.
Japan Times
JAPAN / NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Jan 19, 2014
Best thing for Senkakus: Never let push come to shove
On Jan. 12, Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera observed the annual drill held by the Ground Self-Defense Force's elite 1st Airborne Brigade in Narashino, Chiba Prefecture.
JAPAN
Jan 19, 2014
Shift to isle defense requires upgrade of all three branches
The Cold War ended about 20 years ago and Japan is finally trying to execute a drastic transformation of the Ground Self-Defense Force by shifting its focus from the north to the southwest — effectively relaxing its guard against Russia and bolstering it against China.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Jan 10, 2014
Any Hosokawa presence in Tokyo race bad for Abe
The emergence of Morihiro Hosokawa as a potential candidate could be a game-changer for the Tokyo gubernatorial race and deal a severe blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's administration.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 9, 2014
LDP drops past campaign pledge to 'never wage a war'
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party removes a pledge that Japan will 'never wage a war' from the final draft of its campaign platform for this year.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 6, 2014
Axed nationalist Gen. Tamogami seeks Tokyo governorship
An ex-top Air Self-Defense Force officer who was sacked in 2008 for his right-leaning, nationalistic views on history plans to run for the Tokyo gubernatorial election to be held Feb. 9, an employee at his office said Monday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 30, 2013
Mirrorless cameras offer glimmer of hope to makers
Japan, once a leader in manufacturing, has lost its competitive edge in various electronics products, including televisions, video recorders and portable music players.

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