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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
Sep 19, 2015
Diet enacts security laws, marking Japan's departure from pacifism
Following boisterous confrontations in the Diet and more than three days of public protest, the Upper House finally enacted two divisive security laws early Saturday that will mark a significant departure from Japan's postwar pacifism.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 18, 2015
Ruling bloc on verge of enacting security laws
The battle over Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's publicly divisive security bills enters its final phase as the Upper House shrugs off the opposition's latest tricks and prepares to vote.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 17, 2015
Opposition parties' delaying tactics throw Diet into chaos
In an Upper House meeting rife with heckling and wrestling, two disputed security bills are bulldozed through committee, paving the way for enactment by the ruling bloc.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 17, 2015
Foes stand their ground as ruling bloc presses hard for vote on contentious security bills
The ruling bloc tried to clear a key hurdle to enact its contentious security legislation at the Upper House on Wednesday night, but the move was met with vehement protests from opposition lawmakers and thousands of angry demonstrators who gathered in a rally around the Diet building.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 16, 2015
Government cries foul over use of term 'forcible voting' as security bills debate heats up
As the political battle over two contentious government-sponsored security bills at the Diet enters its final stage, a propaganda war broke out Wednesday between the government and opposition parties.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Sep 16, 2015
Japan's defense reform tarnished by low public support, unconvincing sales pitch
The ruling bloc's effort to pass a pair of controversial security bills has failed in an important respect: to win public support.
JAPAN
Sep 12, 2015
Strong quake strikes Tokyo Bay, rattles surrounding areas
At least 12 people were injured when a strong earthquake in Tokyo Bay jolted the capital and surrounding areas early Saturday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 11, 2015
Tokyo steps up security after Islamic State tells supporters to attack Japanese missions
The militant group made the threat against several missions in an English-language magazine circulated on the Internet.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 10, 2015
Ishiba's proposed anti-Abe LDP faction shapes up
Shigeru Ishiba met with several followers Thursday for preparatory talks on launching his own faction within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party by the end of this month.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 9, 2015
Heads roll as Matsuno shakes up Ishin no To leadership
Yorihisa Matsuno, head of Ishin no To (Japan Innovation Party), has sacked three of the party's four top executives, a move likely to accelerate the unfolding disintegration process of the nation's second-largest opposition force.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 8, 2015
Abe remains LDP president after Noda fails to build enough support to run
Now that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has cemented his leadership of the LDP, he is expected to focus on the economy ahead of next year's Upper House election.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 7, 2015
Noda faces uphill battle in last-minute bid to take on Abe for LDP presidency
Executives in the Liberal Democratic Party pile pressure on lawmakers not to support Seiko Noda's attempt to unseat Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as LDP president.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 4, 2015
Japan wins Asia-Pacific popularity poll despite mutual distrust with China, South Korea
The latest survey by the Washington-based center found 71 percent of respondents in the Asia-Pacific had a favorable view of Japan.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 3, 2015
Defense Ministry leak shows SDF chief talking politics in Washington; JCP cries foul
A Japanese Communist Party lawmaker unveiled what he said were confidential records of meetings between U.S. and Japanese military officials in Washington last year.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 2, 2015
Noda says she may challenge Abe for LDP presidency
The former executive council chairman of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party may nominate for the Sept. 20 election, though her support remains uncertain.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 30, 2015
12 Osaka-based Ishin no To Diet members expected to join Toru Hashimoto's new national party
Other Diet members will be asked to follow and join by Oct. 20, reports quoting unnamed party sources said.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 28, 2015
Stadium cost capped at ¥155 billion as Abe tries to get troubled project back on track
The government caps the budget for the new National Stadium, the key venue for the Tokyo Olympics. At u00a5155 billion, it is 41.5% lower than the previously estimated u00a5265 billion.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 28, 2015
Tokyo protests Beijing editorial calling for Emperor to apologize over wartime actions
An editorial by China's official news agency, demanding an apology from Emperor Akihito over Japan's wartime actions, is “very discourteous,” Tokyo says.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 27, 2015
Hashimoto, Matsui leaving Ishin no To as split in party worsens
The pair, who founded the party, said they were leaving to concentrate on local politics in Osaka ? a move certain to weaken the second largest opposition force.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 27, 2015
Ex-LDP lawmaker Takaya Muto involved in sex scandal: report
Takaya Muto, a Lower House member who quit the Liberal Democratic Party over an alleged money scandal last week, has engaged in sexual intercourse with a 19-year-old male prostitute repeatedly since last November, the latest issue of weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun reported.

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