author

 
Menu
Search
 
July 06, 2025
 

Today's print edition

Home Delivery
Subscribe for more access

Meta

Twitter

@jljzen

Jesse Johnson
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Sep 28, 2021
North Korea conducts third weapons test in just over two weeks
The test came as the North's U.N. envoy told the General Assembly that his country had a “right” to develop weapons for self-defense in the face of the United States' “hostile policy.”
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 21, 2021
LDP leadership contender Sanae Takaichi holds rare talks with Taiwan president
Tsai Ing-wen joined the meeting with the conservative LDP politician, who is known for her hawkish views on China, in her capacity as head of Taiwan's ruling DPP.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Sep 20, 2021
LDP contenders put China in crosshairs in bid to win votes
Foreign policy has taken on increased importance in the party's presidential race, as candidates are trying to win over conservative members with a tough stance on Beijing.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 19, 2021
LDP contender Sanae Takaichi says she'd accept U.S. intermediate-range missiles
The former internal affairs minister and China hawk was the party's sole presidential candidate to back the idea, calling such a move “absolutely necessary.'
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Sep 15, 2021
North Korean missiles land in Japan EEZ as nuclear threat grows
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has condemned the launches, the second test-firing in less than a week, as an “outrageous threat to peace and security in the region.'
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Sep 14, 2021
With term set to expire, Suga looks to reaffirm Japan's role in 'Quad' at summit
Despite concerns about the outgoing prime minister's ability to contribute to the summit, the meeting will nonetheless act as a showcase for the Biden administration's priorities.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 13, 2021
LDP leadership contender Kishida unveils initiatives to counter China
Kishida, taking a page from the Biden's administration's multilateral approach to dealing with Beijing, has called for Tokyo to work even more closely with other 'like-minded' democracies.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Sep 13, 2021
North Korea tests new cruise missiles that put Japan in striking distance
The new weapon, which could evade missile defenses and deliver nuclear bombs to most of the country, is expected to play into the ongoing debate over Japan acquiring strike capabilities.
ASIA PACIFIC
Sep 9, 2021
North Korea's Kim oversees first military parade since Biden's swearing-in
The parade, which did not reveal any new weapons systems, was apparently directed at a domestic audience with an aim of boosting morale amid the battle against the coronavirus.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Sep 8, 2021
U.S. warship sails near man-made South China Sea islet, flouting new Chinese law
The U.S. Navy vessel passed near a Chinese-held island for the first time since Beijing began implementing a law requiring foreign vessels to give notice before entering waters it claims.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Sep 7, 2021
South Korea joins elite club with test of sub-launched ballistic missile
South Korea joined an exclusive group last week, becoming only the eighth country — and sole non-nuclear nation — to successfully test-fire a submarine-launched ballistic missile.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 7, 2021
Facing intraparty obstacles, Ishiba wrestles with role in LDP election
The former defense chief has long had ambitions to become prime minister, but his fraught relationship with the LDP could block his way — and change the race for everyone else.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 6, 2021
Kono emerges as top contender to replace Suga in polls as LDP race gains steam
With the party's popularity having taken a hit over the pandemic, and an election due to be held this autumn, public support could give a candidate a crucial edge in the LDP vote.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Sep 6, 2021
U.S.-Japan alliance to take hit from Suga’s decision to step down
While the overall direction in the two countries' relations is unlikely to shift, progress is likely to be stymied by the change in Japanese leadership.
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Aug 30, 2021
North Korea appears to restart nuclear reactor, presenting fresh challenge to Biden
The restart of the plutonium-producing reactor at the Yongbyon nuclear site has been described as 'deeply troubling' by the U.N. atomic agency.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Aug 29, 2021
To China's chagrin, Japan-Taiwan talks could pave the way for closer ties
In recent months, the Tokyo-Taipei relationship has grown even closer as Japan became far more vocal in the public sphere about its concerns over China's assertiveness.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Aug 22, 2021
U.S. ambassador pick Rahm Emanuel could give Japan a direct line to Biden
After nearly two years, Japan could soon be getting a high-profile, Senate-approved U.S. ambassador — one who has the ear of the American president.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Aug 17, 2021
China trumpets U.S. decline, but Asia's lessons from Afghan chaos hard to discern
Even as Chinese state media seizes on the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan as a signal of America's decline, the view from Beijing's halls of power is likely far more nuanced.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jul 27, 2021
In surprise move, two Koreas restore communications and agree to improve ties
The unexpected agreement comes more than a year after Pyongyang blew up ties — and an inter-Korean building that had been symbolic of the relationship.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Jul 20, 2021
Moon’s Olympic absence points to protracted stalemate with Japan
Tokyo had been lukewarm on a visit, as it did not expect the South Korean president to propose solutions to festering grievances over historical, political and economic issues.
Japan braces for more quakes as authorities dismiss doomsday hype
Evacuees from Akuseki Island, located in the Tokara island chain in Kagoshima Prefecuture, arrive at Kagoshima Port on Friday.
Hidden AI prompts in academic papers spark concern about research integrity
Waseda University is one of 14 institutions in eight countries found to have used hidden prompts in research papers.
A prophesied disaster (likely) won’t strike Japan this weekend
A viral manga prediction of a July 5 disaster has gripped Japan with anxiety and triggered an economic impact, but experts warn that while such dates are unreliable, the threat of a massive earthquake remains real. 
Residents of Tokara Islands begin evacuation as seismic swarm continues
Details about evacuations from Akuseki Island, located in the Tokara island chain in Kagoshima Prefecture, is seen written on a whiteboard in the city of Kagoshima on Thursday.
U.S. military apologizes over Okinawa sexual assault case
Col. Neil Owens (right), chief of staff for the 3rd Marine Division, bows in apology at the Okinawa Prefectural Government office in Naha on Thursday.
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Flag football facing challenges and opportunities ahead
Japan’s women’s flag football team at the 2025 International Bowl in Los Angeles in June. The sport is enjoying continued growth in the country.
From Hokusai’s Great Wave, shinkansen to One Piece: a cultural treasure box for Lego Japan
Michael Ebbesen, general manager of Lego Japan, says Lego bricks based on Japanese culture have a rich global appeal and are sellable around the world.
With farmed fish, RelationFish swims against the tide in fine dining
Chef Hideaki Matsuo (middle) and the staff of Oseto Suisan Fisheries prepare to check on their sustainably farmed fish.
As Southeast Asia heats up, a Japanese cooling giant sees a major opportunity
An employee of Daikin Cambodia explains the use of different tools during an air conditioner installation training session in Phnom Penh. Daikin is one of Japan’s oldest air conditioning companies, but as Japan’s population falls, the firm is keying in on overseas growth.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji
By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Ishii Iron Works remakes self for workers, new energy
Ishii Iron Works remakes self for workers, new energy

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

Read more

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER