Masami Ito - The Japan Times

Today's print edition

Subscribe for more access

Masami Ito

Meta

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

Sep 1, 2007

Lower House might be dissolved if MSDF duty isn't extended: Ishihara

bin Laden and al-Qaida (are located), and the antiterrorism law is enabling activities to prevent narcotics from Afghanistan to be sold around the world and the money used for international terrorism," Ishihara told reporters in a group interview. "I think that the decision by the Diet (whether to extend...

JAPAN

Aug 29, 2007

'Sakura Papa' sues publisher, ex-girlfriend

Democratic Party of Japan member Yoshiro Yokomine, elected last month to the Upper House, filed a damages lawsuit Tuesday against publisher Shinchosha Publishing Co. and his former girlfriend for defamation of character over a recently published article.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Aug 28, 2007

Aso moves over to take LDP's No. 2 post

Seeking a fresh start following his party's disastrous defeat in last month's Upper House election, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who also serves as Liberal Democratic Party president, reshuffled the party's top posts Monday.

JAPAN / ANALYSIS

Aug 28, 2007

Picking faction bosses Abe's bid to show tactful maturity?

In a desperate effort to mend his and his Cabinet's damaged credibility, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took the safe course Monday by picking a new team of mainly veteran lawmakers, including Liberal Democratic Party faction leaders.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Aug 21, 2007

Otsuji to head LDP Upper House ranks

Bidding for a fresh start following its crushing defeat in the last election, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party officially picked four-term lawmaker Hidehisa Otsuji to head the party's Upper House caucus Monday.

JAPAN

Aug 16, 2007

Abe expresses regret for war

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed regret Wednesday for the war and Japan's past misdeeds against its neighbors.

JAPAN

Aug 10, 2007

DPJ goes on offensive with two new bills

The Democratic Party of Japan began testing its mettle Thursday as the top force in the Upper House by submitting during the Diet's extra four-day session two bills aimed at challenging ruling bloc-penned laws.

JAPAN

Aug 9, 2007

Ozawa rejects Schieffer antiterror overture

Democratic Party of Japan President Ichiro Ozawa turned down a U.S. request Wednesday to continue Japan's support for counterterrorism operations in Afghanistan, throwing the future of a special antiterrorism law into doubt.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Aug 8, 2007

Eda takes helm of Upper House

For the first time in nearly half a century, the House of Councilors has an opposition lawmaker as its president.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Aug 2, 2007

Scandal-tainted farm minister axed

Scandal-tainted agriculture minister Norihiko Akagi was sacked Wednesday for contributing to the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's historic defeat in the House of Councilors election.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Aug 1, 2007

Fresh off victory, Ozawa quick to go for Abe's jugular

Democratic Party of Japan leader Ichiro Ozawa appeared before the media Tuesday for the first time since his party's sweeping victory in the Upper House election, slamming Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for refusing to relinquish power despite the ruling bloc's crushing defeat.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Jul 31, 2007

Abe looks to shake up Cabinet

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Monday he will change his Cabinet lineup sometime after an extraordinary Diet session next week, as the ruling bloc licked its wounds from its drubbing in the House of Councilors election.

JAPAN / ANALYSIS

Jul 30, 2007

Getting bills through Diet will be a lot tougher for the LDP

The clear message of dissatisfaction that voters sent Sunday to the Liberal Democratic Party will lead to a lengthy period of political instability and legislative gridlock, analysts say.

JAPAN

Jul 24, 2007

Tokyo swing voters facing a wide field

vision and (genuine attitude)," analyst Miyagawa said. Shiratori sees broader implications.

JAPAN / UPPER HOUSE SHOWDOWN

Jul 14, 2007

Constitution pushed out of campaign

The pension records fiasco and concerns about a consumption tax hike have upstaged what Prime Minister Shinzo Abe most wanted to focus on during campaigning for the July 29 Upper House poll — revising the Constitution.

JAPAN / UPPER HOUSE SHOWDOWN

Jul 13, 2007

Fans hail 'hero' Fujimori's Diet bid

Disgraced former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori's supporters hailed him as a hero as they took to Tokyo's streets to kick off his campaign in absentia for the July 29 House of Councilors poll.

Japan Times

JAPAN / PARTY LINE

Jul 12, 2007

Komeito to stay firmly in coalition camp

For New Komeito leader Akihiro Ota, the priority in the July 29 election is maintaining the ruling bloc's control of the Upper House, but he won't say if he will resign if the coalition falls short.

Japan Times

JAPAN / PARTY LINE

Jul 11, 2007

SDP sees Upper House race as vital in protecting Article 9

The Constitution's war-renouncing Article 9 is in danger of being revised by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the upcoming Upper House election is an opportunity to put a stop to this effort, Social Democratic Party leader Mizuho Fukushima said.

Japan Times

JAPAN / PARTY LINE

Jul 10, 2007

No tieups for Kokumin Shinto: Watanuki

Although the leader of Kokumin Shinto (People's New Party) has ruled out the possibility of forming an alliance with another party, that doesn't mean he isn't interested in cooperating on policy where possible.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Jul 10, 2007

Political funds law can stand as is: Abe

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Monday the heavily criticized Political Funds Control Law needs no further revision and again voiced support for his new farm minister, Norihiko Akagi, who like his predecessor is under fire over reported expenditure claims.

You can often see generations of families enjoying performances together at Fuji Rock Festival.

Japan’s summer music festivals are feeling the heat in more ways than one

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

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Exploring Japanese culturevia Tohoku’s festivals

Exploring Japanese culturevia Tohoku’s festivals

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER

international-reports