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Kaori Kaneko
For Kaori Kaneko's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Kubura fishing port and Kubura district on the island of Yonaguni, Okinawa Prefecture
JAPAN
Dec 17, 2023
Frontier islanders decry lack of plan to aid fleeing Taiwanese
Concerned about the potential for a China-Taiwan conflict, Japan has embarked on its biggest defense buildup since World War II.
An official explains the National Defense Report at the Ministry of National Defense in Taipei on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 12, 2023
Japan elevates Taiwan security ties in move likely to rile China
The defense ministry said it would only pursue "nongovernmental" ties with Taipei.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jun 7, 2023
Taiwanese presidential contender says he wouldn't meet Xi without agenda
Former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je has risen in the polls in recent weeks.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 2, 2023
U.S. seeking explosives in Japan for Ukraine artillery shells, sources say
Export rules ban Japanese companies from selling lethal items overseas, but the allies appear to have found a workaround to enable the TNT sale amid global shortages of munitions.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 26, 2023
Japan battles to persuade big brands to help with military expansion
A key part of Tokyo"s strategy hinges on persuading commercial firms that for decades have quietly armed the SDF to ramp up production.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 30, 2022
Japan's October factory output fell on global slowdown and weak chip demand
The feeble business activity highlights challenges for the world's third-largest economy, which has been lagging behind peers in recovering from the pandemic.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 18, 2022
Former members of Unification Church rail at politicians who embraced it
The assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in July has opened a debate over the church and has shone a spotlight on its close ties with the ruling LDP.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 2, 2022
Japan consumer confidence edged up in April for first rise in six months
The government has kept its assessment of consumer confidence unchanged, as the improvement was relatively small, saying it appears weak.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 25, 2022
LDP's junior partner Komeito to propose economic relief package
Komeito chief Natsuo Yamaguchi also urged the Bank of Japan to maintain its massive stimulus program "for a bit longer" to ensure a solid recovery in the economy.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 30, 2020
Japan government set to stop buying Chinese drones
It must also navigate increasingly choppy waters between China and Japan's closest ally, the U.S., which is at odds with Beijing over a range of issues.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 16, 2020
Japan needs another extra budget to help ailing economy, experts say
Ruling-party lawmakers have likewise called for another stimulus package funded by a third extra budget.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jul 9, 2020
With apps and remote medicine, Japan offers glimpse of doctor visits in post-virus era
As virus cases spiked in April, Japan temporarily eased restrictions on remote medical care, allowing doctors to conduct first-time visits online or by telephone.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 8, 2020
Economy minister Yasutoshi Nishimura warns against deepening negative rates
The minister said Japan's priority should be on protecting jobs and businesses, not stimulating consumption and travel.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 3, 2020
Coronavirus threatens revival of Japan's deflationary nemesis
Years after Japan made a cautious recovery from its long deflationary spell, the world's third-largest economy may be headed back into a cycle of falling prices as the coronavirus threatens a deep downturn and policymakers struggle for options.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 31, 2019
Japanese fans deal with 'rugby loss' after team's quarterfinal exit from World Cup
Japanese captivated by their Brave Blossoms' historic run to the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals are suffering a new form of bereavement — "rugby loss" — after their team fell to South Africa.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 1, 2019
Japan firms fight the frugal retail psyche with AI-driven pricing and other tricks
After years of soggy inflation and a long reign by Japan's tightfisted shoppers, businesses are adopting new methods to lift prices, from artificial intelligence to simple packaging tweaks.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
May 8, 2019
Japan's labor shortage eats away at backbreaking work culture
When she worked in sales for a bank, Chihiro Narazaki was passed over for the best assignments in favor of older colleagues. Her input was discouraged and she often stayed late just to do routine paperwork.
BUSINESS
Feb 22, 2018
Abe adviser says BOJ should consider buying foreign bonds to reflate economy
The Bank of Japan should consider buying foreign bonds as part of efforts to reflate the economy during Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda's second term at the central bank helm, an economic adviser to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said.
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Feb 5, 2018
'Let's talk': Japan hopes low-key strategy will avert U.S. trade flare-up
Economic talks between the United States and Japan, tackling topics from persimmons and potatoes to energy and infrastructure, have helped keep Tokyo clear of protectionist moves such as those that recently hit Chinese solar panels and South Korean washers.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 11, 2017
Japan's young farmers pin hopes on technology to revitalize agricultural industry
A new breed of younger, business- and tech-savvy farmers is transforming Japan's shrinking agriculture sector with cutting-edge techniques and marketing strategies, giving new hope to an industry in slow decline.

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