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Maiko Takahashi
For Maiko Takahashi's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
JAPAN / Society
May 13, 2015
Japan Cabinet minister wary of opening 'Pandora's box' of immigration
The country should fix its shrinking workforce by enabling women to work, before turning to the “Pandora's box” of immigration, the minister for the empowerment of women said.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 3, 2015
Two kamikaze pilots, two late reprieves, one pacifist view
Hisashi Tezuka knew his life had been spared when he heard the Emperor's voice crackling through the wireless.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 24, 2015
Abe turns to veteran of TPP talks as new farm minister
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe taps a veteran of the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations as his new agriculture minister as he seeks to wrap up an agreement this year that will require wringing concessions from the powerful farm lobby.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 14, 2015
Youthful Hosono says he will unite DPJ if he wins leadership race
A portrait of John F. Kennedy stands in Goshi Hosono's office as a reminder to the prospective leader of the opposition of the need to be ready for a crisis.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / DECISION 2014
Dec 8, 2014
As opposition dithers, voters mull four more years of Abe
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's chances for becoming the nation's longest-serving leader in more than four decades are increasing as the opposition finds itself hobbled by factionalism, shifting policies and funding shortages.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 28, 2014
Voting disparity to help LDP stay in charge amid Supreme Court inaction
In Japanese elections, it can take five city dwellers to match the voting power of a single farmer.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 27, 2014
Vote-value disparity ensures rural few maintain clout over urban masses
In the nation's elections, it can take five city dwellers to match the voting power of a single farmer.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 2, 2014
Casino bill likely to pass Lower House: Abe aide
A Japanese lawmaker backing a bill to legalize casinos said he expects it to win Lower House approval this month and that the gambling resorts would be in major cities and charge local residents an entry fee.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Sep 22, 2014
North Korea dashes hopes of Japanese parents over abductees' fate
Three times a day, 88-year-old Kayoko Arimoto makes a ritual offering of food to the daughter she hasn't seen for 31 years. On her birthday, it's rice with red beans followed by cake.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 4, 2014
'Daddy's girl' Obuchi to oversee nuclear industry
Yuko Obuchi, the 40-year-old daughter of the late Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, was Wednesday appointed as the first female trade and industry minister, one of five women Prime Minister Shinzo Abe named to his new Cabinet.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 22, 2014
Tokyo governor takes on big tobacco to push smoke-free games
Half a century after making $1 million off an official Olympics-branded cigarette, Tokyo's chief wants to put stricter curbs on smoking before the 2020 Summer Games.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 30, 2014
India naval drill with Japan, U.S. seen as signal to China
Traffic at the Maritime Self-Defense Force base at Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, is typically dominated by Japanese and U.S. warships, but in July it saw an unusual variety of vessel. An Indian frigate and destroyer docked en route to joint exercises in the Western Pacific.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 27, 2014
Atonement for World War II actions insufficient, LDP veteran Kono says
Japan has failed to atone sufficiently for its actions in World War II, former Foreign Minister Yohei Kono, who wrote Japan's official apology for the use of wartime "comfort women, said recently.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 20, 2014
Aging Yokotas pine for daughter's return from North Korea as abductee talks begin
Shigeru and Sakie Yokota may have their best chance yet of being reunited with their daughter, Megumi, 37 years after she was abducted by North Korean agents at age 13.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 15, 2014
30% female employment goal in jeopardy
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will fail to meet his goal of having women in 30 percent of management positions in the civil service by 2020 unless candidates are lured from private industry, the gender equality minister said in a recent interview.

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