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Nao Shimoyachi
For Nao Shimoyachi's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
Features
Jul 24, 2005
Mama Calcutta
Emiko Dhar moved to Calcutta (now renamed Kolkata) in 1962 after she married an Indian engineer whom she met through her job in Japan. She has lived there ever since.
JAPAN
Jan 25, 2005
Japan mulled buying cruise missiles for pre-emptive self-defense: Ishiba
The government considered arming itself with Tomahawk cruise missiles to pre-empt ballistic missile attacks but gave up because it would contradict the postwar policy of not maintaining an offensive capability, former Defense Agency chief Shigeru Ishiba said Monday.
JAPAN
Jan 22, 2005
Missile shield commanders need say-so for launch
Self-Defense Forces commanders in the field must have the authority to launch interceptor missiles in the event of a ballistic missile attack because they would not have enough time to gain approval via the civilian channels now mandated by law, Defense Agency chief Yoshinori Ono said Friday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 13, 2005
MSDF sends biggest transport to serve as Sumatra relief base
Japan's largest Maritime Self-Defense Force transport ship departed Wednesday for Indonesia's Sumatra Island as part of a relief mission to the worst-hit area of the Dec. 26 tsunamis triggered by a massive earthquake.
JAPAN
Jan 8, 2005
Defense Agency bolsters tsunami-relief task force
Japan on Friday offered Indonesia assistance for long-term reconstruction from the earthquake and tsunami disaster, in addition to other aid it has already pledged for emergency relief, a Japanese official said. In a meeting held in Jakarta, Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura and Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda agreed to set up a panel to discuss ways to deepen bilateral relations, the official said.
JAPAN
Jan 6, 2005
ASDF sending C-130 to Thai base
An Air Self-Defense Force C-130 transport will leave for Thailand Thursday to join a U.S. military-led relief operation for survivors of the Dec. 26 tsunamis, the Defense Agency said Wednesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 5, 2005
Team in South Asia to assess SDF aid role
The Defense Agency sent a 20-member team Tuesday to South Asia to assess what the Self-Defense Forces can do to help survivors of the Dec. 26 earthquake and widespread killer tsunamis.
JAPAN
Jan 5, 2005
Massive response to tsunamis still not enough: aid groups
Japanese aid groups participating in the largest international disaster relief operation in Southern Asia said Tuesday that efforts to help the survivors are falling short despite the unprecedented level of support and donations.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 1, 2005
Inn finds revival by welcoming foreigners
With its plain concrete and tile exterior and glass double doors, Sawanoya looks like any other ordinary Japanese inn.
JAPAN
Dec 29, 2004
Civilian controls over military matters seen in the balance
As Japan prepares to redefine the Self-Defense Forces as a bona fide military, the government will have to address the sensitive question of how much say SDF officers should have in national security.
JAPAN
Dec 28, 2004
Defense Agency to retain civilian buffer around chief
The Defense Agency said Monday it would maintain the current system that allows only civilian officials to directly advise its director general.
JAPAN
Dec 25, 2004
Constitutional revision draft broke no law: probe
The Defense Agency has concluded that a senior Ground Self-Defense Force officer's recent drafting of a constitutional amendment did not breach the principle of civilian control over the military.
JAPAN
Dec 15, 2004
Tokyo, Washington sign missile-tech exchange agreement
Japan and the United States signed a pact Tuesday allowing "comprehensive cooperation" on transfers of technologies related to missile-defense systems.
JAPAN
Dec 11, 2004
Defense policy overhauled to meet new global threats
The government announced Friday plans to conduct a sweeping overhaul of its defense policy, adjusting Japan's armed forces to better handle new threats such as terrorism and giving them a greater global role.
JAPAN
Dec 11, 2004
SDF set to shed its 'nonmilitary' shell
Since their establishment in 1954, the Self-Defense Forces have never had to be mobilized to defend Japan from attack.
JAPAN
Dec 10, 2004
Long-range missile quest off defense buildup plan
The government will not begin controversial research into long-range precision missile technology, according to the fiscal 2005-2009 midterm defense buildup plan handed to the ruling bloc Thursday.
JAPAN
Dec 8, 2004
Japan to lift arms-export ban for U.S. missile shield project
The government's new basic defense policy will limit arms exports to missile defense-related products developed with the United States, and America would be the only recipient, politicians and government officials involved in this issue said Tuesday.
JAPAN
Dec 1, 2004
Arms export shift turns low key
The government will not stipulate the planned lifting of its self-imposed ban on arms exports when in the next week or so it adopts a new basic defense policy, according to politicians who attended the ruling coalition's security panel meeting Tuesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 1, 2004
Taking public pulse on Iraq mission turns up disturbing information gap
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has said he will take into account public opinion, along with various other factors, when he decides whether to extend the one-year Self-Defense Forces mission in Iraq, which expires Dec. 14.
JAPAN
Nov 25, 2004
Lack of action here gives human-trafficking low profile: ILO
Public awareness of human-trafficking is low in Japan because of slow government action and a lack of legislation that directly addresses the problem, according a draft report by the International Labor Organization obtained Wednesday.

Longform

A statue of "Dragon Ball" character Goku stands outside the offices of Bandai Namco in Tokyo. The figure is now as recognizable as such characters as Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man.
Akira Toriyama's gift to the world