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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
Nov 2, 2021
Japan to reduce quarantine from 10 to three days for business travelers and students
The major policy change, which is likely to boost economic exchanges with other countries, could start as early as Monday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 28, 2021
Japan to open up COVID-19 booster shots to all residents
The policy differs from that of other nations, where the shots are mainly being limited to older people, health care workers and those with pre-existing conditions.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 17, 2021
The policies and political backgrounds of each of the LDP leadership contenders
The candidates will hold policy debates, outline their platforms and seek further support among LDP lawmakers and rank-and-file members up until the Sept. 29 election.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 16, 2021
Seiko Noda makes last-minute bid for LDP presidency
Noda's candidacy is expected to split votes that could have gone to vaccine chief Taro Kono and make it harder for any candidate to win a majority in the first round of voting.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 8, 2021
Japan prioritized domestic trials of Pfizer before rollout, vaccine czar says
The nation's vaccine czar revealed that Pfizer trials included over 100 Japanese residents in the U.S., but said the health ministry needed domestic tests due to 'food and diet' differences.
JAPAN
Aug 25, 2021
More schools in Tokyo cancel Paralympic plans even as Games go on for some students
Over 20,000 students from across the capital are still expected to watch events in person, but most schools in Tokyo have canceled visits to competition venues.
Japan Times
JAPAN / First Person
Mar 5, 2020
Day 4 of Japan's Great Teleworking Experiment: Distractions aplenty but 'co-workers' are cute
Today is my fourth-straight day working from home and, consequently, the fourth day of my living nightmare.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 3, 2019
Through Keidanren role, Hiroaki Nakanishi looks to ditch dated aspects of Japan's corporate culture
At the same time, the 72-year-old organization reflects the most traditional — and at times outdated — aspects of corporate Japan.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 18, 2017
Fashion rentals make sense for moms on the go
As a mother of three who works full-time, buying my own clothes ranks among the lowest priorities on my to-do list.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 17, 2016
Survey sees surge in 'secret savings' of married Japanese, with wives on top
The average amount of savings secretly accumulated by married women in 2016 was ¥1.47 million, rising by more than ¥200,000 from the year before, according to a survey by Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 10, 2016
Cheaper taxi rates to be trialed in Tokyo, Osaka in bid to lure more elderly, tourists
The transport ministry plans to trial lower base fares for short taxi rides.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Jan 15, 2016
Japan adult TV channel's Boob Aid charity event rubs some the wrong way, sparking online petition
More than 8,600 people have signed an online petition to protest the annual Boob Aid fundraising event, which allows donors to the charity to touch the breasts of porn actresses.
JAPAN
Jan 7, 2016
LDP lawmaker faces off against his party's old guard over child care leave plan
Liberal Democratic Party Lower House lawmaker Kensuke Miyazaki wanted to do something to change the nation's declining birthrate, so he announced last month he planned to take child care leave after his wife gives birth.
JAPAN
Dec 15, 2015
Child center stripped girls to find missing piece of paper
A child consultation center in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, said Tuesday it stripped eight girls naked to conduct a body search in August to look for a piece of paper that went missing earlier that day.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 9, 2015
Japan needs to seek out regional allies, view U.S. as 'second resort,' says head of think tank
Japan needs to stop relying on the U.S. for its defense and form a security alliance with other Asian nations if it is to become a respectable global leader in the decades to come, according to the founder and president of Washington-based think tank Economic Strategy Institute.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 9, 2015
Experts warn Myanmar's opposition victory could affect Japanese businesses
In the wake of Myanmar's ruling party conceding defeat to Aung San Suu Kyi, experts say it could have mixed repercussions for Japanese companies investing there.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Oct 1, 2015
Japan, China timed announcement of espionage arrests, says expert
Beijing and Tokyo appear to have waited until two of China's key events were over before revealing the detention of two Japanese nationals.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Sep 3, 2015
'Flesh-eating disease' cases on rise in Japan
The number of patients nationwide who contracted streptococcol toxic-shock syndrome (STSS) — a deadly condition popularly known as "flesh-eating disease" — reached 291 by Aug. 23, a record high, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases said Thursday.
JAPAN / Society
Jul 31, 2015
Changing the culture of long working hours key to increasing Japan's female workforce
The plight of Japan's working women has improved dramatically over the past two decades. Maternity leave has become the norm, slots at nurseries have increased by more than 340,000 and the percentage of female executives or women serving as department chiefs at companies has tripled.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 25, 2015
'Sextortion' warning after victim targeted by crime ring
Users of social networking sites such as Facebook and Line are accustomed to receiving a "friend" request or a message from an unfamiliar contact. Most people ignore them, but the few who respond may need to think twice before pushing the send button.
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’

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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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