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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
Jan 23, 2007
The nuts and bolts of the legislature
The Diet is the center of Japanese politics. It's where ruling and opposition lawmakers play power games and employ tactics in both open and backroom negotiations. With this year's ordinary legislative session set to start Thursday, following are some basic facts about the parliamentary system:
JAPAN
Jan 20, 2007
Japan gets Brazil to try man in fatal hit-and-run
A Japanese-Brazilian suspect in a fatal hit-and-run case in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, has been indicted in Sao Paulo, setting a landmark precedent in Tokyo's pursuit of foreign criminals who have escaped overseas, Foreign Minister Taro Aso said Friday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 17, 2007
Aso wants to be next LDP chief: Tanigaki
Taro Aso lost to Shinzo Abe in last September's Liberal Democratic Party presidential election, but the outspoken foreign minister still secretly hopes to prevail next time.
JAPAN
Jan 13, 2007
Education minister's 'expenses' in question
A political group headed by education minister Bunmei Ibuki logged a combined 8.75 million yen in "office expenses" in 2004 and 2005, a period the group's political funds report indicates it had little or no activity and had a rent-free office, it was learned Friday.
JAPAN
Jan 10, 2007
Defense Agency given ministry status
functions," said Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma, who was the agency director general. According to a set of laws on the transition enacted in December, the defense minister will now be allowed to make budget requests or policy suggestions at Cabinet meetings and make overseas operations a primary mission...
JAPAN
Dec 28, 2006
To fathom Abe, just look at his grandfather
, mother, Yoko (back row right), and older brother, Nobuhiro (left), pose for a family photo. Abe was in kindergarten at the time. AP PHOTO
JAPAN
Dec 28, 2006
Aso, Song maintain unity on N. Korea
Putting aside thorny bilateral issues, the Japanese and South Korean foreign ministers met Wednesday in Tokyo and agreed to "closely cooperate" on seeking an end to North Korea's nuclear weapons program, a Foreign Ministry official said.
JAPAN
Dec 28, 2006
Aso, Song maintain unity on N. Korea
Putting aside thorny bilateral issues, the Japanese and South Korean foreign ministers met Wednesday in Tokyo and agreed to "closely cooperate" on seeking an end to North Korea's nuclear weapons program, a Foreign Ministry official said.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 26, 2006
Two Yokohama landmarks close down
The Hikawa Maru passenger liner and Yokohama Marine Tower, two tourist landmarks in the old port city, closed their doors Monday on 45 years of history as red and green illumination lights were turned off in a sayonara countdown on Christmas night.
JAPAN
Dec 24, 2006
Japan plays weak hand, may seek more sanctions
The lack of progress in the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear weapons underscores Japan's growing difficulties in trying to defuse the crisis and resolve the abduction issue.
JAPAN
Dec 24, 2006
Japan plays weak hand, may seek more sanctions
The lack of progress in the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear weapons underscores Japan's growing difficulties in trying to defuse the crisis and resolve the abduction issue.
JAPAN
Dec 23, 2006
Six new embassies set to parry China
Despite commitments to slash the size of government, the Finance and Foreign ministries agreed Friday to set up new embassies in six countries next year and to hire more local staff at embassies and consulates.
JAPAN
Dec 23, 2006
Six new embassies set to parry China
Despite commitments to slash the size of government, the Finance and Foreign ministries agreed Friday to set up new embassies in six countries next year and to hire more local staff at embassies and consulates.
JAPAN
Dec 21, 2006
No big change in '07 ODA spending
The battle between the Foreign and Finance ministries over official development assistance outlays for fiscal 2007 ended in a draw Wednesday as the Finance Ministry proposed a 4 percent cut in ODA spending in a draft budget, while much of that reduction was made up for in a supplementary budget the government...
JAPAN
Dec 19, 2006
Team of scholars formed for China history talks
The government officially formed on Monday a team of historians that will discuss historical issues between China and Japan with a similar group of Chinese scholars starting Dec. 26.
JAPAN
Dec 17, 2006
Sasae, Hill confer ahead of six-party talks Monday
The chief Japanese and U.S. negotiators on North Korea's nuclear weapons met Saturday in Tokyo and confirmed their solidarity -- including Washington's support for Tokyo's hard line on the abduction issue -- during the six-party talks resuming Monday.
JAPAN
Dec 17, 2006
Sasae, Hill confer ahead of six-party talks Monday
The chief Japanese and U.S. negotiators on North Korea's nuclear weapons met Saturday in Tokyo and confirmed their solidarity -- including Washington's support for Tokyo's hard line on the abduction issue -- during the six-party talks resuming Monday.
JAPAN
Dec 16, 2006
Where does the abduction issue fit in?
in March 1995. "Honestly speaking, if all the issues are settled, Japan's burden of economic aid would be greater than any other country" in the talks, a senior Foreign Ministry official predicted.
JAPAN
Dec 16, 2006
Where does the abduction issue fit in?
in March 1995. "Honestly speaking, if all the issues are settled, Japan's burden of economic aid would be greater than any other country" in the talks, a senior Foreign Ministry official predicted.
BUSINESS
Dec 16, 2006
Tokyo, New Delhi OK trade agreement talks
India and Japan agreed Friday to launch talks on an economic partnership agreement centered on lowering tariffs on bilateral trade, with Tokyo trying to make up for lost time as it tries to deepen business ties with India, whose economy is growing rapidly.

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