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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 17, 2007
New MSDF bill to have one year limit
A joint ruling-bloc panel paved the way Tuesday for Cabinet approval of a bill to continue logistic support for antiterrorism operations in and around Afghanistan for a another year.
JAPAN
Oct 11, 2007
Afghan SDF mission constitutional, Ozawa says
Ichiro Ozawa, president of the Democratic Party of Japan, said Wednesday the Self-Defense Forces' participation in NATO's International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan would not violate the Constitution, contrary to the claims of the Liberal Democratic Party-New Komeito ruling coalition, which...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 10, 2007
Ozawa's Afghan gambit rejected
Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura on Tuesday rejected Democratic Party of Japan President Ichiro Ozawa's suggestion that Japan participate in NATO's International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.
JAPAN
Oct 6, 2007
Ruling bloc, in rare twist, hands MSDF bill to opposition
The ruling coalition Friday submitted to the opposition camp the draft of a new bill to continue the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean in support of antiterrorism operations in and around Afghanistan — a key goal of Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda in the current Diet...
JAPAN
Oct 5, 2007
DPJ adviser quits over fund scandal
Kozo Watanabe said Thursday he has stepped down as the top adviser of the Democratic Party of Japan to take responsibility for a political money scandal.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 5, 2007
Opposition takes fight to Upper House
Azuma Koshiishi, chairman of the Democratic Party of Japan's caucus in the Upper House, threatened Thursday to submit a censure motion against Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and warned him against fighting the opposition camp in the chamber out of spite.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 4, 2007
Hatoyama rips into Fukuda, wants poll
Yukio Hatoyama, secretary general of the Democratic Party of Japan, officially launched the opposition's battle Wednesday against Yasuo Fukuda in the Diet, pressing the new prime minister to dissolve the Lower House and call a general election.
BUSINESS
Sep 28, 2007
LDP executives opt for talk, not action, on tax system overhaul
Apparently testing the waters before backing a possible consumption tax hike, the new top executives of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party soft-pedaled the sensitive topic in separate interviews Thursday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 26, 2007
Fukuda elected prime minister in Diet faceoff
New Liberal Democratic Party President Yasuo Fukuda was elected prime minister by a divided Diet on Tuesday afternoon amid the political turmoil stemming from Shinzo Abe's sudden resignation announcement two weeks ago.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 25, 2007
Fukuda rewards key supporters
New Liberal Democratic Party President Yasuo Fukuda chose four veteran heavyweights for the party's top posts Monday, including education minister Bunmei Ibuki as secretary general, the LDP's No. 2 position.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Sep 24, 2007
Hawks expected to push Fukuda hard
New Liberal Democratic Party President Yasuo Fukuda is known as an advocate of relatively conciliatory policies, so after a year with the hawkish Shinzo Abe in power the public may be expecting a major shift in various policy areas, including diplomacy and the Yasukuni Shrine issue.
JAPAN
Sep 21, 2007
New U.N. motion won't affect DPJ stance, Kan says
Democratic Party of Japan deputy chief Naoto Kan declared Thursday that a U.N. resolution expressing appreciation for support for counterterrorism operations in Afghanistan will not alter the party's opposition to use of Maritime Self-Defense Force refueling ships in the Indian Ocean.
JAPAN
Sep 20, 2007
Aso, Fukuda address foreign press club
Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Taro Aso may be losing to Yasuo Fukuda in the party's presidential election battle, but he scored a few points over his rival at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo on Wednesday, using his English-language ability to charm the foreign press.
JAPAN
Sep 16, 2007
Fukuda enters race, vows to avoid Yasukuni
and former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda shake hands at LDP headquarters in Tokyo on Saturday before holding a joint news conference. KYODO PHOTO
JAPAN
Sep 15, 2007
Fukuda in lead to take over LDP
Yasuo Fukuda emerged Friday as the clear favorite in the race to replace Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as president of the Liberal Democratic Party, in what is shaping up to be a two-man contest with LDP Secretary General Taro Aso.
JAPAN
Sep 13, 2007
Ozawa says DPJ ready for election; still opposes MSDF law
Democratic Party of Japan President Ichiro Ozawa said Wednesday his party will be prepared for the possible dissolution of the Lower House and general election following Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's surprise resignation announcement.
JAPAN
Sep 13, 2007
Exit should have come sooner: critics
For the Liberal Democratic Party, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's resignation Wednesday was too long in coming, and regaining the public's trust will have to be the LDP's main objective from this point forward, critics said.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Sep 11, 2007
Funds law no match for wily politicians
Almost every day it seems another politician is making headlines over a money scandal. Four members of embattled Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Cabinet — administrative reform minister Genichiro Sata, and farm ministers Toshikatsu Matsuoka, Norihiko Akagi and Takehiko Endo — have been forced from their...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 5, 2007
Clock ticking as Councilor Kawada goes after what has long ailed Japan
Newly elected Upper House lawmaker Ryuhei Kawada was diagnosed with hemophilia soon after he was born.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 4, 2007
Farm chief for week, Endo exits in scandal
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's week-old Cabinet suffered a major blow Monday as farm minister Takehiko Endo stepped down over a money scandal just eight days after he was appointed.
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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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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