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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
Jan 16, 2009
Aso's days said numbered
Now that Prime Minister Taro Aso managed Tuesday to force the second extra budget for fiscal 2008 through the Lower House, his next hurdle is the fiscal 2009 budget and related bills.
JAPAN
Jan 16, 2009
Deputy chief Cabinet secretary's alleged affair heaps further woes on Aso
Just what Prime Minister Taro Aso didn't need was another problem, but a new one landed on his plate Thursday when allegations emerged in a weekly magazine that Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshitada Konoike has been having an affair.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 16, 2009
Web site offers refugees a way to reunite
For Danish brothers David and Christopher Mikkelsen, it all began in 2005 when they met Mansour, a young Afghan refugee who had become separated from his family while fleeing the Taliban regime.
JAPAN
Jan 14, 2009
Ruling bloc steamrollers second extra budget
Overriding shouts of protest from the opposition parties, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party-New Komeito bloc rammed the second extra budget for fiscal 2008 through the Lower House on Tuesday.
JAPAN
Jan 14, 2009
LDP's Murata angers opposition with camera
Yoshitaka Murata, deputy chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party's Diet Affairs Committee, was caught Tuesday secretly photographing angry opposition lawmakers in the Lower House without permission.
JAPAN
Jan 11, 2009
Aso meets press but stays mum on plans for stimulus pay
Prime Minister Taro Aso refused once again on Saturday to divulge his timing for dissolving the Lower House and calling a snap election, stating that the economy is his top priority.
JAPAN
Jan 7, 2009
Opposition bill lacks handouts
In a bid to put a stop to the proposed ¥2 trillion cash handout program, three opposition parties on Tuesday jointly submitted a revised version of the second supplementary budget for fiscal 2008 that would eliminate Prime Minister Taro Aso's key measure.
JAPAN / History
Jan 7, 2009
Ministry pulled protest to NYT over family mine POW claim: Aso
Prime Minister Taro Aso admitted Tuesday that the Foreign Ministry deleted a written protest to The New York Times from its Web site last month after finding evidence that a company run by his family during World War II used Allied POWs to work its coal mines.
JAPAN
Jan 6, 2009
LDP tries to forget troubles, put on brave face to celebrate start of new year
The year of the ox promises to be a tough one for Prime Minister Taro Aso and his ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 5, 2009
Aso: No election until budget passes
Prime Minister Taro Aso said Sunday that the fiscal 2009 budget is his top priority and he won't dissolve the Diet until the budget and related bills make it through the Diet.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 1, 2009
Aso set to lead LDP's last stand?
In 2007 it was Shinzo Abe. In 2008 it was Yasuo Fukuda and in 2009 it is Taro Aso.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Dec 30, 2008
Half century on, Tokyo Tower still dazzles as landmark
Tokyo Tower, a long-standing landmark of the capital, celebrated its 50th birthday on Dec. 23. It still attracts about 3 million visitors a year and has provided the metropolis with good TV reception for decades.
JAPAN
Dec 25, 2008
State to aid foreigners in dire financial straits
A government plan to support foreigners living permanently in Japan who have lost their jobs and are in financial distress amid the severe recession was revealed Wednesday by Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 25, 2008
Ruling bloc plans '11 sales tax hike
The government and the Liberal Democratic Party-New Komeito ruling bloc on Wednesday officially authorized a midterm tax reform program to increase the 5 percent consumption tax in fiscal 2011 if the economy improves.
JAPAN / History
Dec 19, 2008
It's official: Aso family mine used POW labor
The government said Thursday it has documents showing Allied POWs worked at a coal mine run by Prime Minister Taro Aso's family during World War II.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 13, 2008
Ruling parties force antiterrorism, bank funding bills through Diet
Steamrolling the opposition camp, the Liberal Democratic Party-New Komeito ruling coalition forced passage of a special antiterrorism bill and a bank recapitalization bill Friday by overriding the Upper House with a second vote.
JAPAN
Dec 13, 2008
Aso's latest stimulus worth ¥23 trillion
Prime Minister Taro Aso unveiled a ¥23 trillion stimulus package Friday that will allow up to ¥12 trillion in public funds to be injected into financial institutions, far more than the ¥2 trillion initially planned.
JAPAN
Nov 29, 2008
Order issued to pull ASDF from Kuwait, end airlift mission
The government finalized the order Friday to end the Air Self-Defense Force's airlift mission in the Middle East, terminating a nearly five-year Japanese military presence in Iraq.
JAPAN
Nov 29, 2008
Ozawa showdown low-key as gaffe-prone Aso keeps comments to himself
Outspoken Prime Minister Taro Aso may have finally learned his lesson Friday about holding his tongue.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 28, 2008
Diet extended for key bills as DPJ relents
The government and the Liberal Democratic Party-New Komeito ruling bloc officially ordered an extension to the current extraordinary Diet session until Dec. 25 to secure passage of two key bills.
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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