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July 07, 2025
 

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Kanako Takahara

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Kanako Takahara
Kanako Takahara is a staff writer who has covered national politics, diplomacy, business and the economy at The Japan Times. A graduate of Sophia University, she is currently a national news editor.
JAPAN
Jun 1, 2022
Japan’s experience rebuilding can help Ukraine, Tokyo's envoy says
Ukraine has estimated direct losses from the war totaling at least $650 billion, with the indirect cost being as much as $1 trillion.
JAPAN
Jun 1, 2022
Japan eliminates airport testing and quarantine for some arrivals
The eased measures come as the country plans to open its borders to inbound tourists on guided tours from June 10.
JAPAN
May 31, 2022
Japan to end special visas for people stranded in country due to COVID
The temporary measure has granted six-month “designated activities” residence statuses to foreign students and trainees stuck in Japan due to border controls in their home country.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 30, 2022
Tourist on Japan's package tour trial tests positive for COVID-19
The patient and three close contacts got tested after the individual complained of a sore throat on Monday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Explainer
May 27, 2022
As Japan’s borders creak open, who can enter now?
With the nation reopening little by little — a limited number of tourists have already arrived on package tour trials — it's difficult to keep track of who is allowed in and who isn't.
JAPAN
May 26, 2022
It's official: Japan to allow in foreign tourists on package tours from June 10
Kishida has said that Japan's strict border controls were necessary to buy time, but the government will ease restrictions from here on.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 24, 2022
Global tensions dominate discussions at ‘Quad’ leader summit in Tokyo
Divisions over the invasion of Ukraine contrast with unity on the issue of maritime security, which offered a breakthrough at the meeting.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 24, 2022
Japanese formula-makers consider exporting product to the U.S. amid shortage
The agriculture ministry has contacted five baby formula manufacturers to see if it's possible to export their products to the U.S., which is experiencing a shortage.
JAPAN
May 16, 2022
From Tran Anh Tuan to Masaki Ito: A Vietnamese refugee's journey to Japanese citizenship
When Masaki Ito saw Ukrainians who had fled their war-torn country arriving in Japan on TV, it brought back strong memories of his own arrival from Vietnam 40 years ago.
JAPAN
May 13, 2022
Japan granted refugee status to a record 74 people in 2021
The government also granted residential status out of humanitarian consideration to a record 580 people, most of whom were from Myanmar.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
May 12, 2022
When will Japan open to tourists?
Kanako Takahara joins to discuss when Japan might reopen to international tourism, and what form that reopening might take.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
May 3, 2022
The ¥22 trillion question: When will Japan reopen to foreign tourists?
Kishida is facing increased pressure from businesses to make what experts say is a political decision.
JAPAN
Apr 15, 2022
Third time’s the charm? Kei Komuro fails to pass New York bar for second time
Komuro, who aims to take the exam again in July, has said he was five points short of passing.
JAPAN
Apr 13, 2022
Japan’s stealth reopening: Parents of foreign residents get OK to visit
With the cap on daily arrivals raised to 10,000, the number of visas issued to first- and second-degree family members of Japanese citizens and residents continues to grow.
JAPAN
Apr 8, 2022
Japan to expel eight Russians, including diplomats, as Kishida announces new sanctions
Kishida revealed a sweeping new round of sanctions against Moscow, declaring that Japan will phase out imports of Russian coal and ban imports of Russian machinery, lumber and vodka.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 6, 2022
Japan says it will ‘lift entry ban on 106 countries,’ but tourists still can’t enter
Confusing government statement raises false hope for return of international tourists
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 25, 2022
Japanese national in Poland opens home to Ukrainian refugee families
Until three weeks ago, Yugo Azuma was just another graduate student in Poland, but after the invasion of Ukraine he felt compelled to come to the aid of those fleeing the country.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 23, 2022
Zelenskyy hails Japan's stand against Russia and warns of nuclear threat to Ukraine
The charismatic Ukrainian leader sought to appeal to his audience by alluding to key moments in Japan's modern history, such as the atomic bombings at the end of World War II.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Mar 23, 2022
One month into war, a Ukrainian family reunites in Japan
Kanako Takahara explains Japan's efforts to help these refugees, and why the government here isn't calling them by that name.
JAPAN
Mar 19, 2022
Tears, relief and the 'smell of Ukraine': A daughter's reunion with her mother in Japan
“I don't have anything to fear now that I'm with my family,' Maria Dovbash, 71, said following an arduous seven-day journey to Tokyo from the war-torn Eastern European country.
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.
Heatstroke alert issued for 19 prefectures as Japan enters 'once-in-a-decade' heat wave
Japan will experience a heat wave through mid-July on a “level only seen once in a decade,” the Meteorological Agency said on June 30.
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.
Tokyo and Kyoto feature among top ‘noctourism’ destinations
Tokyo ranked second after New York and ahead of Dubai and Singapore in a ranking of the top global cities for nighttime tourism.
Elon Musk says he has created a new U.S. political party
Elon Musk looks on during a news conference with U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on May 30.
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

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