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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
Apr 7, 2023
Search for crew from missing SDF helicopter continues as debris is recovered
The coast guard retrieved 10 pieces of debris, including a lifeboat, but there has been no sign so far of the 10 personnel who were were on board.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal / FOCUS
Mar 24, 2023
Iwao Hakamata: The former pro-boxer fighting for exoneration, with help from his sister
The day of his arrest forever changed the course of Hakamata's life, but it was also the beginning of a long, drawn out fight for exoneration.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Mar 20, 2023
Tokyo prosecutors decide not to appeal Iwao Hakamata retrial decision
The case will now be sent to the Shizuoka District Court, with a high possibility that Hakamata will be exonerated over murders in 1966.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Mar 17, 2023
Why Kishida and Yoon moved to improve frosty bilateral ties
Beyond good food and drinks, North Korea’s repeated missile launches and the need for the two countries to cooperate over economic security brought the two leaders together.
JAPAN
Mar 16, 2023
Kishida and Yoon to resume ‘shuttle diplomacy’ as frosty ties warm
The visit to Japan by Yoon is the first by a South Korean president for a bilateral summit since Lee Myung-bak traveled to Tokyo more than 11 years ago.
JAPAN
Mar 16, 2023
Police secure arrest warrant for expelled lawmaker GaaSyy
The former lawmaker is being sought for allegedly intimidating and defaming celebrities in videos he posted on social media.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 14, 2023
Upper House committee votes to expel GaaSyy from Japan's parliament
The decision, made unanimously among ruling and opposition lawmakers, will almost certainly be finalized during an Upper House plenary session on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Mar 13, 2023
Tokyo High Court orders retrial in 1966 Iwao Hakamata murder case
After nearly six decades, 10 court decisions and more than 30 years on death row, the court on Monday ordered a retrial for the 87-year-old convicted murderer and former pro-boxer.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 9, 2023
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol to visit Japan on March 16
The meeting is expected to help mend bilateral ties, which have been impacted for years by a dispute over wartime labor.
JAPAN
Mar 7, 2023
Japan's Cabinet OKs overhaul of immigration system
Proposed revisions to the immigration law would increase reviews of detentions, ease deportation rules and add a status of quasi-refugees.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Feb 22, 2023
Japan accepted over 2,300 Ukrainians last year. Is its refugee policy finally changing?
Many were surprised with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's decision to accept Ukrainians into the country given Tokyo has long held a strict definition of who is eligible for asylum.
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 14, 2023
Policy path in focus as Kazuo Ueda nominated to be Bank of Japan chief
An academic, author and former BOJ board member, Ueda will be tasked with leading the BOJ through a challenging period.
JAPAN
Feb 6, 2023
What could Japan do about foreign spy balloons over its territory?
The nation may have already seen Chinese spy balloons over its skies, including two instances of remarkably similar design to the alleged spy balloon shot down by the U.S.
JAPAN
Jan 31, 2023
Kishida’s son in hot seat over shopping during official trips overseas
Kishida says his son, who is also the prime minister's executive secretary, was buying souvenirs on his behalf, which would be considered part of his official duties.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jan 30, 2023
Deportation of Japanese robbery suspects could be decided by next week
The Philippine justice secretary said he wants the incident resolved before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s planned visit to Japan in the second week of February.
JAPAN / Explainer
Jan 29, 2023
What will change when Japan reclassifies COVID-19?
Japan is planning to downgrade the categorization of COVID-19 on May 8. How will that impact residents?
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jan 27, 2023
Alleged ringleader of serial robberies in Japan operated from Manila detention center
The suspected mastermind, who is said to have gone by the name “Luffy,” sent instructions via smartphone, taking advantage of lax security at the detention facility.
JAPAN
Jan 25, 2023
CDP questions Kishida on defense spending, nuclear power and child care
Calling for a snap election, the CDP's Kenta Izumi blasted the prime minister for pursuing a tax hike for defense spending without parliamentary discussion.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 23, 2023
In policy speech, Kishida puts focus on child care and defense
Implementing all of the policies mentioned in the speech — from child care and defense spending to wage hikes — will be tough if Kishida lacks a stable political base.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 11, 2023
Health ministry suggests restricting bulk drug purchases amid hoarding fears
The message follows reports of Chinese people in the country buying medicine in bulk and mailing it to friends and families back home.
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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