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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 3, 2008
Kawamura under fire over office expenses
The political support groups of Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura logged about ¥22 million in expenditures over the past three years — with almost ¥15 million spent on office and personnel fees — even though the home of his secretary was registered as a rent-free office.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 30, 2008
Aso goes on attack in Diet policy speech
Prime Minister Taro Aso kicked off an extraordinary Diet session Monday with a policy speech in which he challenged the Democratic Party of Japan to a political debate, consciously highlighting the ruling camp's rivalry with the largest opposition force.
Japan Times
JAPAN / CABINET INTERVIEW
Sep 29, 2008
Kawamura promises to keep Aso from tripping over his own feet
As right-hand man to the prime minister, Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura says his job is to make sure that Taro Aso doesn't stumble.
JAPAN
Sep 29, 2008
Gaffe-prone Nakayama quits Cabinet
Prime Minister Taro Aso's Cabinet suffered a serious blow Sunday with the resignation of transport minister Nariaki Nakayama, who was under fire for several gaffes, including saying Japan is "ethnically homogenous."
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 25, 2008
Aso gets quick start, names new Cabinet
Hawkish Liberal Democratic Party President Taro Aso was elected prime minister Wednesday and immediately formed his new Cabinet.
JAPAN
Sep 25, 2008
Aso team likened to school classroom
Prime Minister Taro Aso's Cabinet lineup may look a bit subdued, but there's good reason for that: He deliberately picked low-profile politicians instead of factional bigwigs so he can lead them around like a "school teacher," experts said Wednesday.
JAPAN
Sep 24, 2008
Komeito re-elects Ota, renews ties with LDP
New Komeito re-elected Akihiro Ota as its leader Tuesday, marking the start of a new partnership with Liberal Democratic Party President Taro Aso.
JAPAN
Sep 23, 2008
Aso elected LDP leader in landslide
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party chose Taro Aso as its 23rd president Monday, hoping to regain public popularity and win the next general election.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 23, 2008
Passing supplementary budget may take priority over snap election
Newly elected Liberal Democratic Party President Taro Aso vowed Monday to do his utmost to solve problems that range from revitalizing the economy to improving the health care system.
JAPAN
Sep 20, 2008
Foreign correspondents probe LDP five on sensitive issues
The five candidates running for president of the Liberal Democratic Party were grilled Friday by foreign correspondents in Tokyo over issues ranging from Yasukuni Shrine to the possibility of having a female vice president.
JAPAN
Sep 19, 2008
Ministry received Mikasa tip in 2007, Ota admits
The farm ministry was first tipped off about Mikasa Foods' distribution of inedible tainted rice in January 2007 but was unable to uncover any wrongdoing, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Seiichi Ota told the Diet on Thursday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 19, 2008
Will open-door immigration plan die after Fukuda?
Japan isn't exactly known as an open country to foreigners, but there was a recent brief ray of hope in June.
JAPAN
Sep 18, 2008
Ainu seek law to fund support efforts
The Ainu Association of Hokkaido asked a government panel Wednesday to help establish a law to secure funding to better the lives of the indigenous group.
JAPAN
Sep 17, 2008
Top LDP faction faces crisis over Aso-Koike split
The largest faction in the Liberal Democratic Party is facing a crisis because of divisions over who to support in the presidential election next Monday.
JAPAN
Sep 13, 2008
LDP five's first public 'debate' subdued affair
The battle for the Liberal Democratic Party presidency continued Friday, but the only public debate to date ended on a subdued tone as the five candidates avoided aiming direct criticism at each other.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 12, 2008
Five in LDP race lay out platforms
The five candidates in the Liberal Democratic Party presidential race unveiled their platforms to fellow lawmakers Thursday, stressing their experience and trying to differentiate themselves from each other.
JAPAN
Sep 12, 2008
Voters favor Obama for U.S., are fed up with Japan: poll
An overwhelming number of Japanese believe Barack Obama will win the United States presidential election in November and 90 percent are dissatisfied with Japanese politics, according to a survey released Thursday by the nonprofit Nippon Foundation.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 11, 2008
Five start campaigns for LDP presidency
The Liberal Democratic Party officially kicked off its presidential election campaign Wednesday with five candidates angling to succeed Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, who announced his resignation last week.
JAPAN
Sep 10, 2008
Ishihara fifth to enter race for LDP presidency
Nobuteru Ishihara on Tuesday became the fifth Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker to throw his hat in the ring for the LDP presidency in the wake of Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's abrupt resignation announcement last week.
JAPAN
Sep 9, 2008
Koike, Yosano declare bids for LDP leadership
Former Defense Minister Yuriko Koike and Kaoru Yosano, economic and fiscal policy minister, officially announced their candidacies Monday to run in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election.
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.

Podcast

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Longform

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'
By Tomoko Otake

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