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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
Aug 22, 2017
Democratic Party presidency candidates argue their cases in first debate
Media outlets said former Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara had more party support than former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Aug 16, 2017
Japan may be able to shoot down North Korean missiles but has no legal basis: experts
While some experts differ regarding the technical capability to shoot down a North Korean missile flying toward Guam, all agree the SDF is not legally allowed to do so.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 15, 2017
Over 6,100 offer prayers for war dead at event marking 72nd anniversary of Japan's WWII surrender
Attendees observed a moment of silence for the 3.1 million Japanese war dead at noon, when the late Emperor Hirohito announced the surrender in a radio address.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 15, 2017
Abe and Trump reaffirm importance of halting North Korean missile launches
After a 30-minute phone call, Abe expresses appreciation for Trump's pledge to defend U.S. allies amid threat of missiles launches.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 10, 2017
North makes detailed threat to fire missiles near Guam as Tokyo condemns provocation
In an unprecedented announcement, North Korea said it is developing a plan to test-fire four intermediate ballistic missiles into the sea near Guam by mid-August.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / CABINET INTERVIEW 2017
Aug 9, 2017
Economic revitalization chief Motegi to tackle education, labor reforms
The new Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe aims to carry out drastic reforms to the nation's labor and education systems in a bid to wean the country off its "one-track" career tradition as the population rapidly ages, the newly appointed economic revitalization minister said in an interview Wednesday....
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 8, 2017
Koike ally Masaru Wakasa starts political group that could shake up Japan's political landscape
Launch of Nippon First no Kai could help Tokyo governor transition to national politics, build campaign to become first female prime minister.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 4, 2017
Abe softens stance on deadline for constitutional reform proposals, deferring to LDP
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's attempt to pressure his party into revising its constitutional revision proposals by the end of the year appears to have backfired, and he is now willing to let the party itself dictate the timing instead.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Aug 3, 2017
Struggling in polls, Abe puts premium on stability in Cabinet shake-up
With Thursday's shake-up of his Cabinet done and dusted, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has delivered an apparent message to the public and political heavyweights in Nagatacho, the heart of Japan's central government.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 1, 2017
With support rate in free fall, Abe eyes veterans for key posts in Cabinet reshuffle
Announcement is widely seen as part of a desperate bid to shore up plummeting approval rate amid a spate of scandals.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 31, 2017
Abe, Trump agree to take more action against North Korea
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and U.S. President Donald Trump agree to take unspecified “further actions” against North Korea following its second ICBM test.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jul 31, 2017
Loopholes let records pertaining to Abe's scandals slip through the cracks
The Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is in crisis, stung by scandals that have bitten into his public approval ratings in recent weeks.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 29, 2017
Beppu makes splash with bathtub theme park
The mayor of Beppu lives up to his promise by creating a temporary theme park in Oita Prefecture based on the resort city's famed hot springs.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 29, 2017
Ability to strike more of U.S. feared as North Korean ICBM test splashes down off Hokkaido
North Korea's latest missile test confirms the hermit state now has the capability to strike most of the United States with a nuclear missile of some sort.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 27, 2017
Main opposition chief Renho resigns Democratic Party leadership
In the wake of a crushing defeat in the Tokyo election this month, Renho said she doesn't have the leadership ability to maintain party unity.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 26, 2017
Leaked document conflicts with Inada claims of no knowledge of activity log cover-up
Another leaked internal document has rocked the Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, again suggesting that Defense Minister Tomomi Inada — contrary to previous public denials — had been informed Feb. 13 of an alleged data cover-up concerning Ground Self-Defense Force activity logs.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 25, 2017
Abe revises statements on Kake scandal in Diet after opposition raises discrepancies
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's struggles continued Tuesday at a special Diet session held to probe the Kake Gakuen scandal, as opposition lawmakers pointed out contradictions in his past remarks on when he learned about the school operator's plan to apply for a special government deregulation project.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 21, 2017
Trump questions whether Japan's first lady can speak English
U.S. President Donald Trump is a man of controversy and nobody would be surprised if he caused another one.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 20, 2017
Veterinary group alleges minister said Kake Gakuen chosen for project months before announcement
In yet another twist in an ongoing alleged cronyism scandal, a veterinary association affiliate contradicts Cabinet minister's claims of an open selection process for a special deregulation project.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 19, 2017
Inada faces flak over renewed claims of SDF-related cover-up
The Defense Ministry was hit again Wednesday by another apparent data cover-up scandal involving Defense Minister Tomomi Inada, prompting opposition lawmakers to further step up their calls for her immediate resignation.

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