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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
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.
JAPAN
Jul 28, 2009
DPJ platform vows to weaken bureaucrats
With a month to go before the Aug. 30 election, the Democratic Party of Japan unveiled its campaign platform Monday, featuring five main principles centering on a government led by politicians rather than bureaucrats.
JAPAN
Jul 25, 2009
DPJ's Asao to go independent
Upper House lawmaker Keiichiro Asao said Friday he will leave the Democratic Party of Japan to run as an independent in Kanagawa's No. 4 district, where the party has already fielded a candidate of its own in the Aug. 30 Lower House election.
Japan Times
JAPAN / PARTY POWERS
Jul 23, 2009
SDP's Fukushima plays up differences with DPJ
With the campaign kicking off soon for the Aug. 30 election, Social Democratic Party President Mizuho Fukushima said Wednesday her party intends to appeal to voters by upholding its long-held positions — even if this keeps the SDP from joining a ruling bloc with the predicted winner, the Democratic...
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jul 14, 2009
For Hatoyamas, politics is considered birthright
Often compared to the Kennedy family for the impressive list of lawmakers and scholars hailing from its ranks, the Hatoyama clan is one of the nation's most prominent political dynasties.
JAPAN
Jul 9, 2009
New Minamata relief law enacted
The Diet enacted a new law Wednesday that expands relief to victims of Minamata disease by loosening the redress requirements for one of the worst industrial pollution cases in Japanese history.
JAPAN
Jul 4, 2009
New Minamata redress bill swiftly clears Lower House
A new law offering relief to Minamata disease patients cleared the Lower House Friday, a day after the ruling and opposition camps officially agreed to loosen the eligibility requirements for patients seeking compensation.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Jul 3, 2009
Hatoyama gaffe exposes opposition rifts
When Democratic Party of Japan President Yukio Hatoyama let slip on FM radio on June 15 that a coalition with the Social Democratic Party and Kokumin Shinto (People's New Party) was paramount — but only until the DPJ wins next year's Upper House election and acquires a single-party majority — both...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 2, 2009
Move reveals Aso's lack of power
Prime Minister Taro Aso's decision to bolster his depleted Cabinet appeared to be strategy as usual and his apparent inability to change the Liberal Democratic Party leadership is a sign party bigwigs still hold sway, but neither may matter in the looming general election, pundits said Wednesday.
JAPAN
Jun 27, 2009
Upper House mulls transplant law
The Upper House began deliberations Friday on two amendments to the organ transplant law.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 19, 2009
Kids can be donors: Lower House
The Lower House passed a bill Thursday recognizing brain death as legal death, scrapping the age limit for organ transplants and paving the way for transplants for children under 15.
JAPAN
Jun 10, 2009
No. 3 son readied to succeed Kim
Kim Jong Un, third son of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, is currently holding a low-ranking position within the National Defense Commission in preparation to succeed his father, according to recently obtained information from sources in Beijing close to the Pyongyang leadership.
JAPAN
Jun 4, 2009
Pyongyang purge seen speeding helm change
As speculation mounts that North Korean leader Kim Jong Il has selected third son Kim Jong Un to succeed him, information obtained Wednesday suggested a purge has begun of people close to Kim Jong Nam, the dictator's first son and former heir apparent to the hermit regime.

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