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July 17, 2024
 

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Masami Ito

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Masami Ito
Masami is a staff writer for the Life and Culture Division at The Japan Times. She is in charge of the weekly Sunday Timeout, covering various issues related to Japan, from alcohol/drug addiction and juvenile crime to female sushi chefs and kendama. Over her 15-year career, she has written extensively on Japanese politics, foreign policy and social issues.
JAPAN
Oct 20, 2010
Maehara says foreign missions will move or sell excessive wine supplies
It looks like the beginning of the end of wine heaven for officials in the foreign service, now that the Foreign Ministry has started taking measures to decrease massive stocks of wine at dozens of Japanese embassies and consulates.
Japan Times
JAPAN / U.S. FORCES IN JAPAN
Oct 14, 2010
Suddenly, U.S. alliance is back in vogue
Only a few months ago, the Japan-U.S. military alliance — considered by both nations as the "cornerstone" of peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region — was in crisis.
JAPAN
Oct 6, 2010
Maehara blames Senkaku run-in on trawler's 'malicious' skipper
A Chinese trawler's collisions last month with two Japan Coast Guard vessels near the Senkaku islets were "malicious" actions on the part of the fishing boat skipper, but Tokyo is willing to talk with Beijing to prevent similar incidents, Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara reiterated Tuesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 1, 2010
Parties unite in demanding Senkaku video
The ruling and opposition parties agreed Thursday to ask the government to submit video footage documenting last month's collisions between a Chinese trawler and Japan Coast Guard cutters to the Diet.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 1, 2010
China frees three Fujita employees
Three of the four Japanese construction employees being detained by Chinese authorities on suspicion of entering a restricted military zone were released Thursday in a sign that Sino-Japanese relations may be on the mend.
JAPAN
Sep 30, 2010
Maehara hangs tough on Senkaku dispute
Newly appointed Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara repeated Wednesday that the recent collision between a Chinese trawler and Japan Coast Guard vessels occurred in Japanese territory and demanded China take measures to prevent a recurrence.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Sep 30, 2010
Senkaku spat hurt Beijing as well
The weakness of Japanese diplomacy was exposed last week when Tokyo gave in to Beijing and released a Chinese trawler captain arrested earlier this month near the Senkaku Islands.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 29, 2010
Maehara again defends holding Chinese skipper
The arrest of a Chinese trawler captain involved in a collision with Japan Coast Guard patrol boats in disputed waters was appropriate, Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara firmly stated once again Tuesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Q&A
Sep 23, 2010
Japan-China island tensions rise
Tensions are growing daily over Japan's arrest of a Chinese fishing boat captain following his ship's collision with Japan Coast Guard vessels in the East China Sea.
JAPAN
Sep 19, 2010
Maehara warns China on gas field
Newly appointed Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara warned Beijing that Tokyo will respond if it begins drilling in an East China Sea gas field where both Japan and China have claimed exploration rights.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Sep 18, 2010
Numerous diplomatic issues loom
Not known for his diplomatic skills, it's unclear how Prime Minister Naoto Kan will deal with pressing international issues, even with a major Cabinet reshuffle Friday.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Sep 17, 2010
Tensions escalating with Beijing
With each passing day, China's reaction over last week's incident between a Chinese trawler and Japan Coast Guard vessels in the East China Sea appears to be escalating.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 17, 2010
Kan taps Okada for party's No. 2 post
Prime Minister Naoto Kan on Thursday tapped Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada as the party's secretary general, in what amounts to a test of whether Kan can achieve party unity after Tuesday's presidential election.
JAPAN
Sep 16, 2010
Beijing testing Japan-U.S. relationship, Armitage warns
Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage said Wednesday in Tokyo that China is testing Japan over the "chill" in its ties with the U.S. by creating mischief in the East China Sea, particularly last week's collisions between a Chinese trawler and Japan Coast Guard vessels.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 15, 2010
Kan cruises to victory in DPJ election
After a fierce two-week campaign, Prime Minister Naoto Kan on Tuesday defeated Democratic Party of Japan bigwig Ichiro Ozawa in the ruling party's presidential election, securing his post and avoiding yet another leadership change.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 14, 2010
Okada apologizes for U.S. POWs' treatment
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada officially apologized Monday to former U.S. prisoners of war for the "inhumane treatment" they suffered at the hands of the Imperial Army during World War II.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 11, 2010
Futenma's future may ride on DPJ leadership battle
Political analysts in Japan and the U.S. agree that the heated battle between Prime Minister Naoto Kan and Ichiro Ozawa for control of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan could have a huge impact on the relocation of the U.S. Futenma air base.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 9, 2010
Japan good on HIV globally but not at home: U.N. exec
The head of the U.N. effort to deal with HIV and AIDS praises Japan for its commitment to the global battle against the pandemic but says domestic organizations need more support in raising awareness here.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 9, 2010
Trawler's collisions, JCG arrest of skipper near Senkakus protested
Japan-China diplomatic tensions threatened to boil over Wednesday over collisions between Japan Coast Guard patrol boats and a Chinese fishing vessel near the Senkaku Islands and the ensuing arrest of the trawler's captain.
JAPAN
Sep 4, 2010
New Iran sanctions put freeze on assets
Tokyo announced additional sanctions against Iran over its nuclear programs Friday, including freezing assets of individuals and organizations related to the work, and suspending new Japanese investment in oil and gas development there.
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.
Yen’s woes seem too big for even a BOJ hike this month to solve
The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo
China’s economic growth comes in worse than expected
Pedestrians in the Wangfujing shopping area in Beijing on July 11, 2024. China's economic growth in the second quarter was lower than forecast, adding pressure on Chinese leaders to lift confidence at the Chinese Communist Party's third plenum this week.
Kansai airports to increase takeoff and landing slots ahead of Osaka Expo
Kansai International Airport in Izumisano, Osaka Prefecture. The upper limit on the number of takeoff and landing slots at the airport as well as Kobe Airport in Hyogo Prefecture will be raised in spring next year ahead of the 2025 World Exposition in Osaka.
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.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'
Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
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.

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Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'
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