Satoshi Sugiyama - The Japan Times

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Satoshi Sugiyama

JAPAN

May 14, 2020

Japan to lift coronavirus state of emergency in 39 prefectures

The nation's capital and seven prefectures will maintain emergency measures for now.

JAPAN

May 11, 2020

Defending virus handling, Abe signals willingness to compile second extra budget

Under pressure from opposition party lawmakers, the prime minister is forced to defend his administration's response to the coronavirus pandemic.

JAPAN / FOCUS

May 10, 2020

Japan governors face balancing act in reopening businesses amid pandemic

Governors are moving to lift emergency restrictions to get their prefectures up and running again, but can they strike the right balance between public safety and commerce?

JAPAN / Politics

May 7, 2020

In the age of COVID-19, world leaders struggle to adjust to online diplomacy

In the world of diplomacy, gone are the days of handshakes, bilateral meetings or international summits attracting a horde of world leaders and diplomats to discuss issues of the day.

JAPAN

May 4, 2020

Abe extends Japan's nationwide state of emergency, but prepares to relax some restrictions

The prime minister strikes a cautiously optimistic note, but adds that the situation remains grim for the country's strained health care system.

JAPAN

May 1, 2020

Japan's coronavirus panel recommends keeping restrictions in place

The panel met a day after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he plans to extend the nationwide state of emergency that was going to expire Wednesday.

JAPAN / Science & Health

Apr 23, 2020

Japanese asked to hunker down through Golden Week as virus numbers grow

Officials worry that travel during holiday could create clusters in rural areas where the health care system is relatively fragile.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS

Apr 19, 2020

Komeito cash handout demand highlights Abe's fading power amid outbreak

The turnabout marked an extraordinary moment in the over seven-year-long reign of Abe, providing a glimpse of the ruling coalition's mounting exasperation with his administration.

JAPAN / Politics

Apr 17, 2020

With Japan-wide emergency, Abe highlights sense of crisis over virus

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday evening pressed for cooperation from all citizens in the fight against the spreading coronavirus following his decision to expand the state of emergency nationwide.

JAPAN

Apr 16, 2020

Akie Abe criticized for taking group tour in Oita during pandemic

Her reported activity took place a day after her husband sounded the alarm over the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases.

Japan Times

PODCAST / deep dive

Apr 15, 2020

Episode 47: The current state of Japan's emergency

In this episode, Japan Times politics reporter Satoshi Sugiyama discusses how far the powers of Japan's central and regional governments extend under the state of emergency.

JAPAN / Politics

Apr 15, 2020

Abe administration faces flak over hesitancy to compensate virus-hit businesses

Regional governors have rebuked the government over its hesitance to take bold financial measures, leaving many business owners no choice but to stay open amid the pandemic.

JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS

Apr 8, 2020

Behind the scenes, an LDP power struggle over record-size economic package

As the Cabinet approved a record-breaking emergency stimulus package Tuesday, the deep-seated rivalries it has amplified within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party were hidden from view.

JAPAN

Apr 7, 2020

Emergency declared in Japan for Tokyo, Osaka and five other virus hot spots

Basic infrastructure — electricity, water supply and gas — as well as businesses such as supermarkets, banks and public transportation, will not be impacted by the declaration.

JAPAN

Apr 6, 2020

Japan state of emergency to cover Tokyo, Osaka and five other prefectures

After weekslong pressure from public health officials and lawmakers, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Monday the government would declare a state of emergency as soon as Tuesday covering Tokyo, Osaka and five other prefectures amid the growing outbreak of COVID-19, in a step that will empower prefectures...

JAPAN

Apr 2, 2020

Japan education officials divided on reopening schools amid COVID-19 outbreaks

A panel composed of infectious disease experts said that extending school closures in areas particularly hard-hit by COVID-19 could be an option.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Politics

Apr 1, 2020

Amid shutdowns elsewhere, government plans to continue Diet business as usual

While Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike has urged residents in the capital to work from home, and the nation appears to be inching toward declaring a state of emergency over rapid spread of COVID-19, the government seems set to maintain business as usual — at least for now.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Politics

Mar 29, 2020

Steps limited for Japan's government even if it declares coronavirus emergency

With a skyrocketing number of new COVID-19 patients over the last few days, Japan appears to be edging closer to declaring a state of emergency, a measure the central government has characterized as a last resort in the battle against the deadly virus.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Mar 28, 2020

Abe urges vigilance to avoid COVID-19 spike and vows extraordinary steps to aid economy

The prime minister said the virus battle would be a long one, especially if people drop their guard, but pledged economic relief surpassing that for the 2008 financial crisis.

JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS

Mar 26, 2020

Tokyo Olympics delay rekindles debate over Abe’s political future

Speculation over when Abe might dissolve the Lower House for a snap election has resurfaced.

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Professional cleaner Hirofumi Sakurai takes a moment to appreciate some photographs in a Gotanda apartment whose occupant died alone.

The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan

By Johan Brooks

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