Takuya Asakura - The Japan Times

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Takuya Asakura

For Takuya Asakura's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

JAPAN

Jun 6, 2001

Japan, officially, still vague on Bush's missile defense plan

Reported critical remarks by Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka on a proposed U.S. missile defense system may be problematic as they apparently contravene Japan's noncommittal position on the issue. Although Japan has engaged in joint technical research with the United States on the Theater Missile Defense program since 1999, Tokyo maintains a vague position on U.S. President George W. Bush's proposal for a global missile defense scheme that would also cover the U.S., saying it only "understands" the policy, without supporting or opposing it.

JAPAN

May 29, 2001

Schools pushed to observe flag, anthem in apparent about face

When the Hinomaru and "Kimigayo" were recognized in law in 1999, the government assured the people that they would not be forced to observe them, apparently in light of the long-standing controversy over the symbols.

JAPAN

May 26, 2001

New panel proposal is criticized as soft on violations by state

Concern over freedom of the press has been the media's main focus in covering a government panel's proposal to launch an independent human rights watchdog, while other key aspects have been largely ignored.

JAPAN

May 23, 2001

Loan firms linked to rise in personal bankruptcies

With colorful billboards at train stations, TV commercials showing Brazilian soccer legend Zico or a carefree, successful young woman, major consumer loan firms seem to have shed the shady images that previously haunted them.

JAPAN

May 16, 2001

Tokyo eatery an Ainu specialty

A restaurant in Tokyo has been sending out a simple but poignant message for more than seven years: It's not bad to be Ainu.

JAPAN

Apr 29, 2001

Hunger-striking Kurd granted permission to remain in Japan

The Justice Ministry has granted special residential permission to a Kurdish asylum-seeker who had been waging a weeklong hunger strike with four fellow Kurds from Turkey at an immigration center in Ibaraki Prefecture, it was leaned Saturday.

JAPAN

Apr 7, 2001

Spring is couple's harbinger of sorrow

Yukitomo and Mitsuko Hiraga do not anticipate the onset of spring with the same relish as most others. Each April, as cherry trees in full bloom welcome freshmen to colleges, the couple are reminded of their son who died soon after taking the first step toward his dream.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY

Mar 23, 2001

How diplomats express Japan

An Australian diplomat found modern Japanese weddings exciting and representing of the adaptability of the nation's culture, while a British participant described how much he loves "onsen" hot springs. And both did so in smooth Japanese.

JAPAN

Mar 21, 2001

U.S. warships not welcome in Hokkaido

While U.S. Ambassador Thomas Foley was receiving an award Jan. 9 aboard the USS Blue Ridge for his contribution to increased visits by U.S. naval vessels to Japanese ports, the mayor of Tomakomai, Hokkaido, was expressing opposition to a planned February visit to his town by the flagship.

JAPAN

Mar 17, 2001

Confession made under duress: woman

After 10 days of confinement, Manalili Villanueva Rosal finally confessed to a Chiba Prefectural Police detective that she murdered her lover. She retracted her confession the next day -- and maintained her innocence throughout her trial -- but was sentenced to eight years in prison in September 1999.

JAPAN

Mar 10, 2001

SOFA changes mulled to calm Okinawa

Despite persistent demands from Okinawa Prefecture for sweeping revisions to the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement, the central government is hoping the most recent surge in anti-American sentiment can be appeased by improvements in the implementation of the pact.

JAPAN

Feb 21, 2001

Otaru racism controversy lingers on

OTARU, Hokkaido -- The controversy over some "onsen" (hot spring) bathhouses banning foreigners from their facilities in this northern port town, which is frequented by Russian ships, lingers on more than a year after the issue was first raised.

JAPAN

Jan 30, 2001

Ishihara keeps Yokota return hopes alive

Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara, recently heard boasting of having personal connections to the newly empowered Republicans in Washington, appears energized toward achieving his campaign pledge of getting Yokota Air Base back from U.S. control.

JAPAN

Jan 14, 2001

Artist lauds Ueno's unchanging view

Eisaku Miyajima, 68, has watched the town of Ueno every day for more than 30 years from a small folding chair on the concrete stairway leading to the stone statue of Saigo Takamori in Ueno Koen park.

JAPAN

Jan 3, 2001

Five-year, muscle-pumping defense plan passed easily

The Cabinet approval last month of the 25-trillion yen medium-term defense buildup program came without heated debate among lawmakers or the public, to the apparent surprise of some Defense Agency officials.

JAPAN

Dec 17, 2000

Municipalities search for new money wells

The failure of a Tokyo ward to introduce a new tax plan appears to indicate that recent moves by municipalities to seek their own sources of revenue with unique tax measures are not without obstacles.

JAPAN

Dec 13, 2000

Victims know true justice will elude

Although the Women's International War Crimes Tribunal on Japan's Military Sexual Slavery that ended Tuesday has no legal power, it provided victims of sexual violence by Japanese soldiers a forum where they could experience a sense of justice.

JAPAN

Dec 9, 2000

Nonbinding tribunal can only sentence the nation to shame

Since three Korean women came out in 1991 and demanded government compensation for being forced to serve as sex slaves for Japanese soldiers, many former "comfort women" have died in despair, receiving no compensation, never seeing their rapists brought to justice and having suffered the further humiliation of being branded liars by so-called intellectuals.

JAPAN

Dec 7, 2000

U.S. ties, midterm plan top new defense chief's priority list

Newly appointed Defense Agency director general Toshitsugu Saito said Wednesday that he hopes to visit the United States at the earliest opportunity to hold talks with his counterpart after the January launch of the new U.S. administration.

JAPAN / FREEDOM OF PRESS IN THE BALANCE

Nov 29, 2000

Media considering best way to handle public's loss of faith

An amendment in June to Japan's 54-year-old Canon of Journalism apparently reflects the sense of crisis within the nation's news organizations over the apparent growing public dissatisfaction with the industry.

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.

[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

Later this month, author Shogo Imamura will open Honmaru, a bookstore that allows other businesses to rent its shelves. It's part of a wave of ideas Japanese booksellers are trying to compete with online spaces.

The story isn't over for Japan's bookstores

By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Vol. 34: Tokyo, a vanguard city for sustainability

Vol. 34: Tokyo, a vanguard city for sustainability

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