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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At the same time, the 72-year-old organization reflects the most traditional — and at times outdated — aspects of corporate Japan.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.

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

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

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