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July 16, 2024
 

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Alex K.T. Martin

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Alex K.T. Martin
Alex K.T. Martin is a Tokyo-based journalist and senior writer at The Japan Times, primarily focusing on feature stories. Previously he was a Tokyo correspondent for The Wall Street Journal.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 27, 2009
By-election wins keep DPJ sails full
The Democratic Party of Japan's victories Sunday in two Upper House by-elections indicate Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's new administration is still on its honeymoon since the DPJ's landslide victory in the Aug. 30 general election.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 21, 2009
DPJ wants Cabinet to call policy shots, not juniors
It all began with a single notice handed out last month to Democratic Party of Japan lawmakers.
Japan Times
JAPAN / CABINET INTERVIEW
Oct 9, 2009
LDP exec mulls novel notion: fielding opinions
Ryotaro Tanose, new chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party's General Council, says good policies can only come from heated discussions among lawmakers, adding he will work to promote precisely such an environment.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 8, 2009
LDP off the policy autopilot: Ishiba
Now that they find themselves in the opposition camp, Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers will have to undertake policymaking with far greater vigor than in the days when the party was in power, the newly appointed LDP Policy Research Council chairman said.
JAPAN
Oct 8, 2009
DPJ musn't lose reform momentum: Okada
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada cast a positive light Thursday on the pace of reform in the Democratic Party of Japan's first three weeks in power and said he expected the party to continue implementing change right up to the next general election.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 3, 2009
Oshima lays out LDP's comeback fundamentals
Tadamori Oshima, the newly appointed secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party, said Friday that regaining the public's trust will require concrete policies and a clear, new vision of what the party stands for.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 30, 2009
Tanigaki opts for old guard to round out LDP leadership posts
Sadakazu Tanigaki, fresh off his election as president of the Liberal Democratic Party, chose veteran lawmakers Tuesday for the party's top posts, including former agriculture minister Tadamori Oshima as his No. 2 man.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Sep 29, 2009
Murakami: Titan of postwar literature
Haruki Murakami is probably the most internationally acclaimed and influential contemporary Japanese author alive today. Over a career spanning 30 years, he has illustrated the apathy and ennui enveloping postwar Japan through sometimes wildly fantastic storytelling with surreal twists and turns, sprinkled...
Japan Times
JAPAN / CABINET INTERVIEW
Sep 28, 2009
Fukushima faces major consumer affairs challenge
Mizuho Fukushima, the new state minister in charge of consumer affairs and reversing the low birthrate, said her job is to prioritize policies that directly affect the public's livelihood and to make sure the new Consumer Affairs Agency is effective.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 17, 2009
Bureaucratic reform first hurdle
After a historic landslide victory in the Aug. 30 election, a new Cabinet was launched Wednesday, led by Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's Democratic Party of Japan.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 8, 2009
DPJ seeks coalition balancing act
With a little more than a week to go before Democratic Party of Japan President Yukio Hatoyama is elected prime minister, media attention is focused on whether the DPJ will be able to create a unified policymaking system while building a stable relationship with two smaller allies.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 5, 2009
Hirano not known as high profile
Hirofumi Hirano, a close aide to Democratic Party of Japan President Yukio Hatoyama and the likely chief Cabinet secretary in the incoming DPJ administration, is known as a man of few words who would rather work behind-the-scenes than in the spotlight.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 2, 2009
'Distorted' in translation?
An opinion piece by Democratic Party of Japan President Yukio Hatoyama published in The New York Times has drawn flak in America over its apparent antiglobalization bent, prompting the presumptive prime minister to argue portions of his essay were "distorted" in translation.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Aug 31, 2009
Historic sea change at polls product of frustrated public
For better or worse, history has been made.
JAPAN / Q&A
Aug 19, 2009
Ultimately, it all comes down to numbers
All signs seem to indicate Prime Minister Taro Aso and his Liberal Democratic Party-New Komeito ruling coalition face a tough battle in trying to hold onto their Lower House majority in the Aug. 30 election.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 18, 2009
Classics' artsy paperback jacket makeovers a hit
A young "idol" with paperback in hand standing in a high school classroom isn't what one would expect to see on the cover of Natsume Soseki's literary classic "Botchan."
Japan Times
JAPAN / ELECTION 2009
Aug 15, 2009
Civil servants uneasy as DPJ plots change in power game
When vice farm minister Michio Ide in June criticized the Democratic Party of Japan's plans to subsidize farmers' income as unrealistic, DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama quickly fired back.
JAPAN
Aug 8, 2009
New Party Nippon pledges 'basic income' for all
Minor opposition party New Party Nippon unveiled its campaign platform Friday, promising several major policies, including the enactment of a monthly "basic income" allowance for all citizens and a re-examination of all public-works projects to cut down on wasteful spending.
Japan Times
JAPAN / PARTY POWERS
Aug 1, 2009
Hatoyama disses LDP but is otherwise vague
With the pivotal Aug. 30 election looming, Democratic Party of Japan President Yukio Hatoyama said Friday the upcoming Lower House battle will offer the public an opportunity to hand down its judgment on the past four years of Liberal Democratic Party rule.
Japan Times
JAPAN / PARTY POWERS
Jul 29, 2009
Shii says JCP will play loyal opposition role
Japanese Communist Party President Kazuo Shii said Tuesday that if the Democratic Party of Japan takes control of the Lower House his party intends to be a "constructive opposition party" that will cooperate when policies overlap but will remain a vocal critic on points of disagreement.
Who needs AI when you have Hatsune Miku?
Over the first six months of 2024, a handful of songs using Vocaloid singer Hatsune Miku’s voice have enjoyed widespread attention, underlining a global interest in the character and the technology she represents.
Bloodied Trump survives assassination attempt at political rally
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is surrounded and evacuated by Secret Service agents at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. Trump was rushed off stage at the rally after shots rang out.
Shooter came within inches of killing Trump, but left few clues as to why
An aerial view shows the stage where Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump had been standing during an assassination attempt the day before, and the roof of a nearby building where a gunman was shot dead by law enforcement, in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Sunday.
Yen’s woes seem too big for even a BOJ hike this month to solve
The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo
How to beat Japan’s summer heat in ways better for the planet
Tenugui towels hang up to dry at a dyeing company in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on May 8. The durable and versatile tenugui, which many people have in their homes, can be used in many ways to cool one’s body.
How to beat Japan’s summer heat in ways better for the planet
Tenugui towels hang up to dry at a dyeing company in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on May 8. The durable and versatile tenugui, which many people have in their homes, can be used in many ways to cool one’s body.
After Trump shooting, U.S. presidential race might take a violent turn
United States Secret Service Counter Snipers stand guard on a rooftop during a campaign rally for U.S. President Donald Trump in Avoca, Pennsylvania, in 2020.
No AC this summer? No problem (for me).
Think air conditioning is a requirement for a Tokyo summer? Think again.
She’s paying ¥1 million to help behind the scenes at the Paris Olympics
Mai Tarumi, who previously volunteered at the postponed Tokyo Olympics in 2021, has a travel budget of ¥1 million for her trip to volunteer at the Paris Games.
How to tweak your diet when temperatures spike
Most people think of hydration as a strictly liquid-based concept, but eating foods with high water content is an essential part of making it through a Japanese summer unscathed.

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