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November 29, 2023
 

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Ko Hirano
For Ko Hirano's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Polish Ambassador to Japan Pawel Milewski (left), Polish development bank BGK President Beata Daszynska-Muzyczka (second from left), Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker and member of the Japan-Poland Parliamentary Friendship Association Hirobumi Niki (second from right), and social welfare corporation Fukudenkai President Takaaki Ota attend a ceremony at the Polish Embassy in Tokyo on Oct. 19.
JAPAN / History
Oct 26, 2023
Japan and Poland mark centennial of orphans' rescue from Siberia
The Japanese Red Cross Society conducted rescue and relief missions from 1920 to 1922 for a total of 765 Polish children.
Japanese and Canadian government officials sign a memorandum of cooperation in Ottawa on Sept. 21 to strengthen electric vehicle batteries supply chains.
BUSINESS
Oct 15, 2023
Envoy urges Japan investment in EV battery project with Canada
Ottawa is calling on more Japanese companies to invest in the Canadian development of critical minerals used in electric vehicle batteries.
Kiyotaka Akasaka, a former U.N. undersecretary-general for communications and public information, speaks in an interview at the Nippon Communications Foundation in Tokyo on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 18, 2023
Japan should take China to WTO over seafood ban, ex-U.N. official says
Tokyo could file a complaint with the WTO as a "tactical move" to induce Beijing to end the punitive action, says Kiyotaka Akasaka.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 6, 2022
Ex-Biden adviser urges Japan to boost intelligence sharing with U.S.
The remarks came as speculation grows that China could attack Taiwan and North Korea may carry out another nuclear test.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 25, 2022
Ex-Myanmar diplomat urges barring junta envoy from Abe funeral
A former diplomat dismissed by Myanmar's military junta for his opposition to last year's coup has criticized Japan for inviting the head of the Myanmar Embassy in Tokyo to former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's state funeral.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / FOCUS
Aug 16, 2022
Ukraine crisis to slow U.K. engagement in Indo-Pacific
Britain's immediate priority is to extend military and economic aid to Ukraine and strengthen defense and deterrence against Russia in partnership with other NATO members.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jul 12, 2022
Asia experts seek Japan's lead in rules-based order after Kishida win
With the election victory, the LDP-Komeito coalition and other pro-constitutional reform forces continue to control more than two-thirds of the seats in both houses of parliament.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 17, 2022
Myanmar shadow government seeks to engage Japan despite geopolitical issues
Some Japanese lawmakers are rallying behind the NUG, though Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's administration has yet to recognize it.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 21, 2022
Don't forget tragedy in Myanmar amid Ukraine crisis, expats in Japan say
A group of Myanmar residents in Japan has launched a crowdfunding campaign to support compatriots who have evacuated their homes or lost their jobs due to the military coup.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Feb 14, 2022
Can South Korea's next president warm up Seoul's chilly ties with Tokyo?
How far ruling party nominee Lee Jae-myung and main opposition candidate Yoon Seok-youl u2014 the front-runners in the March 9 election u2014 are willing to go to improve ties is an open question.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Jan 31, 2022
A Tokyo restaurant becomes a base for expats from Myanmar to rally support for their homeland
Featuring cuisine from various regions of Myanmar, Spring Revolution Restaurant shows how united the country could be.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 23, 2021
'Peace state' Japan must think twice about defense moves, German scholar says
Sophia University professor Sven Saaler questioned the rationale behind calls in the LDP for Japan to acquire strike capabilities and double defense spending to 2% of GDP.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Aug 17, 2021
Can Japan lead global health finance amid the pandemic?
Among G7 nations, Japan was the largest provider of development aid in response to the pandemic, but some are urging it to do even more.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
May 20, 2021
Axed diplomat fears Myanmar will descend into darkness of dictatorship
Aung Soe Moe says he has been attending online meetings with other diplomats participating in the civil disobedience movement around the world.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 20, 2021
Myanmar junta fires two diplomats in Tokyo for opposing coup and violence
A Japanese Foreign Ministry official declined to comment on the pair's diplomatic status, saying only, "We will judge their status as we monitor how the situation in Myanmar evolves."
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 4, 2021
Myanmar's economic woes may help Japan persuade junta to end crisis
Experts suggest Japan, in partnership with ASEAN, broker talks between the junta and the National Unity Government as the country has ties with both sides.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Jan 5, 2021
Japan and U.S. to boost defense ties with Europe in Indo-Pacific
In 2021, the U.K. will deploy an aircraft carrier and its strike group to East Asia, France will dispatch a naval vessel to Japan and Germany will send a frigate to the Indian Ocean.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Sep 22, 2020
Don't pursue strike capability or NATO-like Asia, scholars tell Suga
The scholars expect Japan to take the lead in influencing China's conduct in line with international law and norms.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Aug 1, 2019
ASEAN nations hope Japan and U.S. can 'shape' behavior of China, Thai expert says
While the Association of Southeast Asian Nations has grown concerned about the impact on the region of trade tensions between the United States and China, the 10-member group has high hopes that Japan and China will step up cooperation in spurring the regional economy and development, according to a veteran Thai journalist.
no image
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Jul 19, 2019
Japan to step up study of stable coin regulations following G7 concern over Facebook's Libra project
With the Group of Seven (G7) reaching agreement to push for the highest standards of regulation on Facebook Inc.'s proposed Libra digital currency, Japan plans to step up discussions on how to regulate and oversee the project that could offer faster and cheaper remittances.
Wasabi effective in improving memory of elderly: study
A research has found that hexaraphane — a component found in wasabi — helps improve the episodic and working memories of elderly people.
Japan is enticing for digital nomads, but visa hurdles remain
Akina Shu has visited around 50 countries as a speaker and ambassador on the digital nomad lifestyle since 2020.
How a dictionary came to spark outrage among the web’s otaku
Yoshiko Koide sits in a classroom at Nagoya College where she teaches a Japanese-language observation seminar.
Nature-focused theme park to open in Okinawa in 2025
A rendering of the new Junglia theme park scheduled to open in Okinawa in 2025
Bedbugs are spreading in South Korea and China. Is Japan next?
A bed bug in Paris in September
How a dictionary came to spark outrage among the web’s otaku
Yoshiko Koide sits in a classroom at Nagoya College where she teaches a Japanese-language observation seminar.
Japan is enticing for digital nomads, but visa hurdles remain
Akina Shu has visited around 50 countries as a speaker and ambassador on the digital nomad lifestyle since 2020.
Japan to start trial of over-the-counter sales of morning-after pills
Customers look at products on display outside a drug store in Tokyo on Friday. As part of a trial, 145 stores nationwide will be allowed to sell morning-after pills until the end of March.
Bedbugs are spreading in South Korea and China. Is Japan next?
A bed bug in Paris in September
Tasting the 'Zen of coffee' at speakeasy-esque Cokuun
Hidenori Izaki, one-time winner of the World Barista Championship, brings coffee to new heights at Cokuun.

Podcast

An official shot for this year’s lineup for NHK’s annual “Kohaku Uta Gassen.”
Things get warmer with Xi; Johnny’s get the cold shoulder

Longform

Yoshiko Koide sits in a classroom at Nagoya College where she teaches a Japanese-language observation seminar.
How a dictionary came to spark outrage among the web’s otaku
By Thu-Huong Ha and Yukana Inoue

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