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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
Feb 3, 2017
Abe, Mattis reaffirm ties on defense
Visiting U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis reaffirms Washington's commitment to the U.S.-Japan military alliance amid Japanese concern over the rhetoric of U.S. President Donald Trump.
JAPAN
Feb 1, 2017
Japan's refugee rejections set to get fast track
The Justice Ministry said Wednesday it plans to soon decentralize much of its refugee application process, aiming to fast-track rejections amid concerns of a rise in illegitimate requests.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 30, 2017
Tokyo silent as Trump immigration ban sparks global outcry
In sharp contrast to the outpouring of condemnation by leaders across the globe, top Japanese officials declined to comment on the tightened immigration policy of U.S. President Donald Trump, calling the move a domestic affair.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 24, 2017
Tokyo turns down Australian proposal for TPP without U.S., vows to keep pushing Trump
Tokyo turns down — for now — an Australian proposal to revise the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement, saying any TPP deal without the U.S. is “meaningless.”
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 23, 2017
Abdication panel issues interim report noting problems with permanent revision to Imperial House Law
The paper details the pros and cons of allowing an emperor to abdicate, focusing on a possible permanent revision to the law.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 20, 2017
Confidant says Emperor told him he wants abdication option codified for future monarchs
Mototsugu Akashi, an 83-year-old retiree in Tokyo, received a call at around 10 p.m. on July 21 at home from the most unexpected, unlikely caller: Emperor Akihito.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 20, 2017
It's never too early to check when cherry blossoms will bloom
Most parts of the country are now in the freeze-dried depths of winter, with Hokkaido and some areas on the Sea of Japan coast thickly blanketed with snow.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 20, 2017
Emperor, Empress will not attend 3/11 disaster memorial service
Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko will not attend the official annual memorial service for the 2011 tsunami-quake disaster on March 11, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Friday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 20, 2017
Abe kicks off Diet session with vow to strengthen U.S. military alliance
Abe pledges to “further strengthen” the alliance with the U.S. in a speech at the outset of a six-month ordinary Diet session.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 12, 2017
After Trump remark, Suga calls Japanese firms in U.S. 'good corporate citizens'
Accumulated direct investment by Japanese firms has totaled $411 billion, and about 840,000 people have been employed, the top government spokesman said.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 6, 2017
Japan recalls envoys over new 'comfort women' statue in Busan
The Japanese ambassador to South Korea is recalled over a new statue representing the wartime “comfort women” near the Japanese Consul in Busan.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 5, 2017
Day after 'economy first' comments, Abe promotes revising postwar Constitution to LDP
A day after stressing that the economy will be his top priority this year, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sent a different message to members of his party on Thursday, saying he will promote discussion on revising the postwar Constitution.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 4, 2017
In New Year's speech, Abe prioritizes economic growth
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe maintained Wednesday that his top priority for the new year will continue to be the economy and that he will first try to have the Diet enact the fiscal 2017 budget as quickly as possible.
Japan Times
JAPAN / GEARING UP FOR THE GAMES
Dec 31, 2016
Final Olympics price tag almost certain to exceed current estimate
Even if the price tag for the Tokyo Games costs no more than the new target of u00a51.8 trillion, that is still more than twice the initial estimate.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 29, 2016
Defense chief Inada disrupts Abe's historic moment by visiting Yasukuni
A day after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's historic visit to Pearl Harbor, Defense Minister Tomomi Inada draws flak by calling at war-linked Yasukuni Shrine.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Dec 28, 2016
Leaders' Hawaii remarks include veiled message for Trump: experts
Two mavens say the speeches of Abe and Obama contain a message for the incoming leader about the Japan-U.S. relationship.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Dec 26, 2016
Abdication panel leans toward one-off deal after Emperor Akihito's rare video
A government panel appears ready to propose that a special temporary law be enacted to allow Emperor Akihito, 83, to abdicate, given his advanced age.
Japan Times
JAPAN / History
Dec 26, 2016
Abe's Pearl Harbor visit will do little to dispel theories persisting over the 1941 attack
The die-hard conspiracy theories on Pearl Harbor will continue to stir interest on both sides of the Pacific regardless of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 20, 2016
Defending approach in territorial dispute, Abe eyes Russia visit early next year
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says he plans to visit Russia to continue negotiations on the territorial dispute over the four Japan-claimed islands off Hokkaido.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 16, 2016
Abe-Putin summit ends with economic deals but no isle steps
Visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed Friday to start talks on potential "joint economic activities" they could launch on the four disputed Russia-held islands off Hokkaido, saying it could be an important first step toward resolving their decades-long territorial...

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