Eric Johnston - The Japan Times

August 08, 2025

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Eric Johnston

Liberal Democratic Party youth division head Yasutaka Nakasone (center) and other members speak to reporters in Tokyo on July 25.

JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS

Aug 6, 2025

Will the movement seeking Ishiba’s resignation succeed?

It is unclear whether the core personalities looking to unseat him have what it takes to make that happen.

Nippon Ishin no Kai leaders Seiji Maehara (left), Hirofumi Yoshimura (center) and Ryohei Iwatani in the city of Osaka at night of the July 20 Upper House election.

JAPAN / Politics

Aug 5, 2025

Maehara steps down as Nippon Ishin co-leader along with three others

The four resigned to take responsibility for Nippon Ishin’s poor showing in the July 20 Upper House election, creating uncertainties for the party.

Nippon Ishin no Kai co-leader Seiji Maehara speaks at a party plenary meeting in Tokyo on Thursday.

JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS

Aug 4, 2025

Nippon Ishin no Kai could join ruling coalition, if the conditions are right

The party might be open to joining if there is a new prime minister and Osaka is designated as Japan's backup capital, its leaders say.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba arrives at a news conference at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on Monday.

JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS

Jul 31, 2025

Ishiba’s time as LDP chief and PM might not be over just yet

The lack of obvious successors who can unite the party and raise public support, coupled with a cautious opposition, puts him in a stronger position than expected.

Supporters of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba take part in a rally across the street from the Prime Minister's Office on Friday.

JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS

Jul 29, 2025

Why Ishiba refuses to quit even amid intense pressure for him to go

With the U.S. tariff deal not yet implemented, a leadership change now would create a political vacuum and may put the agreement at risk.

Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party President Shigeru Ishiba, flanked by LDP Secretary-General Hiroshi Moriyama (left) and LDP Vice President Yoshihide Suga, speaks at a meeting of party lawmakers and executives at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on Monday.

JAPAN / Politics

Jul 28, 2025

At LDP’s post-election meeting, calls intensify for Ishiba’s resignation

The prime minister apologized to his fellow party members over the loss of its majority in the Upper House, but remains determined to stay on.

Opposition party policy chiefs discuss a gas bill in Tokyo on Friday.

JAPAN / Politics

Jul 25, 2025

Move to abolish gasoline tax is LDP-Komeito coalition’s first post-election test

The minority government of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is under pressure to quickly decide on how to respond to the opposition push.

Supporters of the Sanseito party leader react during the party’s rally in Tokyo on Monday, a day after the Upper House election.

JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS

Jul 23, 2025

DPP backers abandoned party for Sanseito in Upper House poll, analysis shows

An analysis of voter trends in both parties in the months leading up to the election has indicated a significant shift to Sanseito by those who once voted for the DPP.

Kunashiri, one of the four islands seized by Russia in the last days of World War II, is visible from the Shiretoko Peninsula in northeastern Hokkaido.

JAPAN / Regional Voices: Hokkaido

Jul 22, 2025

Ex-residents of Russian-controlled islands off Hokkaido want grave-site visits resumed

Now in their advanced years, the former residents want the visits to be restored for them to honor their ancestors whose grave sites are located on the four islands.

Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP), speaks to the media in Tokyo on Sunday hours after voting closed for the Upper House election.

JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS

Jul 21, 2025

CDP shows ‘modest’ outcome as Noda struggles to unite the opposition camp

There is speculation the opposition party might form a coalition with the Liberal Democratic Party and its partner Komeito to form a stable, centrist-oriented government.

Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Yoshihiko Noda said it is obvious that Japanese society could not function without the help of foreign workers in manufacturing, health care, construction and public transportation.

JAPAN / Politics

Jul 17, 2025

CDP leader criticizes ‘Japanese First’ policy and calls for inclusive society

Foreign residents are critical to maintaining Japan’s economy, said Yoshihiko Noda, as he issued a call on the campaign trail for a multicultural society that respects minorities.

Muneo Suzuki speaks in Sapporo on Saturday.

JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS

Jul 16, 2025

Prodigal Hokkaido son returns to campaign trail for last run in Upper House election

Muneo Suzuki's personality and past actions make him a divisive political figure, but he's teaming up with the Liberal Democratic Party for one final run.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who serves as president of the Liberal Democratic Party, delivers a campaign speech in Yokohama on July 6.

JAPAN / Politics

Jul 16, 2025

Ishiba faces bad poll numbers with Upper House vote only days away

Losing a majority in the Upper House would pile pressure on Ishiba to resign and kickstart efforts by the ruling coalition to find an opposition party to join it.

People listen as Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (not pictured) speaks on Sunday in Kikuchi, Kumamoto Prefecture.

JAPAN / Politics

Jul 14, 2025

Ruling parties could lose majority in Upper House election, poll suggests

A Mainichi Shimbun poll shows the ruling coalition might end up falling short of the 50 seats they need to maintain their majority in the Upper House of parliament.

Democratic Party For the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki delivers a campaign speech in Tokyo on July 3, ahead of the July 20 Upper House elections

JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS

Jul 10, 2025

DPP appears to be losing its luster as Upper House vote approaches

The small opposition party is in a tight spot amid speculation that it may be losing conservative supporters to right-wing parties like Sanseito.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba delivers a campaign speech next to a Liberal Democratic Party candidate for the Upper House (top center left) in Yokohama on Sunday.

JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS

Jul 7, 2025

Foreign nationals' presence in Japan emerges as key issue in Upper House poll

In their campaign promises, parties are offering different solutions to problems caused by the record number here to visit, work and invest in real estate.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks at a conference in Tokyo on Sunday.

JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS

Jun 30, 2025

Party leaders skeptical of three-party ruling coalition after Upper House vote

If the ruling coalition wins fewer than 50 seats, it will either need to work with at least one opposition party for each piece of legislation or invite one to join.

Rice paddies in the city of Asahikawa, Hokkaido. Rice is a major crop for Hokkaido, with the region having produced 562,400 tons of it last year.

BUSINESS / Economy / Regional Voices: Hokkaido

Jun 30, 2025

U.S. import pressure raises concerns for Hokkaido agriculture

The U.S. is nudging Japan to import more rice, soybeans, and maize — vital crops that support Hokkaido's economy.

Voters in the Upper House election in July 2022

JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS

Jun 26, 2025

Upper House election date falling on a three-day weekend sparks debate

The July 20 election falls on a Sunday that is also the second day of a three-day holiday weekend, when many people are likely to plan for trips and outings.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks at a ceremony in the Peace Memorial Park in Itoman, Okinawa Prefecture, on Monday.

JAPAN / History

Jun 23, 2025

Okinawa marks 80th anniversary of end of ferocious ground battle

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba spoke of the horrific ground war involving Okinawan residents, noting that 200,000 lives were lost, or about one in four Okinawans.

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

A mushroom cloud from the atomic bombing on Hiroshima taken from a U.S. military aircraft on Aug. 6, 1945. Copying the photo without permission is prohibited.

80 years on, a Japanese American hibakusha recalls the day the bomb dropped

By Elizabeth Beattie

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