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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
Oct 21, 2016
Tokyo rushes to analyze Duterte's remarks on Philippines' 'separation' from U.S.
If Duterte weakens Manila's ties with the U.S. and instead leans further toward China, it will be problematic for Japanese diplomacy, experts say.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 20, 2016
In 82nd birthday message, Empress Michiko reveals 'shock' and 'pain' of Emperor abdication headlines
Empress Michiko has described her "shock" and "pain" at seeing the word "abdication" in news headlines for the first time after Emperor Akihito's video message to the nation on Aug. 8.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 17, 2016
Imperial abdication committee holds first meeting
A government advisory panel met Monday for the first time to discuss measures to reduce Emperor Akihito's public duties, with the central issue expected to be whether and how an emperor should be allowed to abdicate due to advanced age.
Japan Times
JAPAN / NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Oct 16, 2016
Wide-ranging Imperial reform likely too sensitive to tackle for now
As an advisory panel readies to discuss the issue of the Emperor's abdication, some say Imperial reform is likely too sensitive a subject to touch for now.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 15, 2016
Japan and Mongolia agree to strengthen ties further
Mongolian Prime Minister Jargaltulga Erdenebat and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed Friday during talks in Tokyo to accelerate ongoing efforts to draw up a 2017-21 action plan to strengthen bilateral ties.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 13, 2016
Liberal Party is reborn in Seikatsu no To rebranding ahead of possible election
Seikatsu no To (People's Life Party) has rebranded itself as the Liberal Party, adopting the name of a recently defunct conservative party in a bid to lure right-of-center voters away from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Oct 11, 2016
Toxin levels are low, but jury out on long-term risks at Toyosu market
A storm over soil pollution and corner-cutting at the site chosen to host the Toyosu wholesale food market has centered on the presence of toxins in water that could be hazardous to human health.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Oct 4, 2016
Nobel winner Yoshinori Ohsumi urges investment in science
When microbiologist Yoshinori Ohsumi told his wife, Mariko, that he was awarded this year's Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine Monday evening, she didn't believe him.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Oct 3, 2016
Japan's newest Nobel laureate, Yoshinori Ohsumi, touts importance of fundamental research
Yoshinori Ohsumi, winner on Monday of the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine, never dreamed that his study of yeast would someday "serve any practical purposes" when he started it alone 28 years ago.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 29, 2016
Busy 2017 schedule fuels rumors of snap Lower House election in January
Speculation gained momentum after Natsuo Yamaguchi, head of Komeito, urged his peers to brace for a possible new year poll.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 29, 2016
Abe pitches high-speed rail during talks with Singapore PM
High-speed rail and the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement were among key topics discussed during a meeting between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 28, 2016
Key Abe adviser urges 'realistic approach' to islet talks with Russia
Influential former Diet member Muneo Suzuki, an unofficial adviser to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Russian affairs, argued Wednesday that Japan should take "a realistic approach" on the reversion of four disputed islands off Hokkaido, first asking for some of the islets rather than taking an all-at-once...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 28, 2016
Abe's initiation of Diet ovation for SDF criticized
Standing ovations during speeches are standard in many Western parliaments. But controversy has erupted after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, delivering a key policy speech Tuesday, set off an ovation for the police and the Self-Defense Forces.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 27, 2016
Labor panel meets after report Japan may open doors to nursing staff and construction workers
A government panel on labor reforms such as a narrowing of the pay gap between regular and nonregular workers held its first meeting Tuesday at the Prime Minister's Office.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 26, 2016
Abe opens extra Diet session, urging action on Constitution and TPP
Abe gets a 66-day extraordinary Diet session underway with a speech vowing additional fiscal measures for the economy.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 23, 2016
Panel formed to ease burden on Emperor Akihito but abdication issue looms
A six-member panel forms to help the Emperor through his twilight years, while the thorny political issue of allowing him to abdicate lurks in the background.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 21, 2016
Japan to scrap troubled ¥1 trillion Monju fast-breeder reactor
The government opts to cut its losses, pulling the plug on the project after years of mishaps, cover-ups and waste.
Japan Times
JAPAN / NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Sep 18, 2016
Freezing of Tsukiji relocation plan draws cheers, jeers
Hiroyasu Ito, chairman of the Tsukiji Market Association, has been "extremely shocked" twice in the past two weeks by the latest twist in the world-famous fish market's relocation plan.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 10, 2016
Foundation of Tsukiji replacement site filled with pipes, not clean soil: Koike
Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike revealed Saturday that the foundations of three main structures of the Toyosu market in Koto Ward that was built to replace the famed Tsukiji fish market were not filled with clean soil as the public was previously told.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Sep 9, 2016
Japan warns of growing North Korea threat after fifth nuclear test
North Korea conducted its fifth and most powerful nuclear test to date around 9:30 a.m. Friday, prompting Tokyo to immediately file a protest.

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