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May 19, 2024
 

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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.
For Kanako Takahara's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 8, 2022
Donation bill banning coercion clears Japan's Lower House
The legislation has received the support of major opposition parties after the ruling coalition made amendments to it.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 7, 2022
Japan parties move closer to passing donation bill targeting coercion
If passed, the bipartisan bill would ban organizations from soliciting donations out of fear and allow donors a path to getting a refund.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Dec 7, 2022
The Church, the State and Kishida's headache
Kanako Takahara joins this week's Deep Dive to discuss what's behind a new bill regulating faith-driven donations.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 4, 2022
From 'HTT' and 'SusHi Tech' to 'NHK,' Koike’s way with words falters
The Tokyo governor is known for her past catchy policy terms such as Cool Biz, but lately her choice of expressions has failed to resonate with the public.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal / EXPLAINER
Dec 2, 2022
Mixed messages: What the Tokyo Court's same-sex marriage ruling really means
In saying the prohibition of same-sex marriage is both constitutional and in a “state of violating” the Constitution, the court was signaling that it wants parliament to settle the matter.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 1, 2022
Kishida Cabinet approves bill banning use of fear to solicit donations
The move is aimed at providing relief to followers of the controversial Unification Church and their family members who have been left in financial ruin.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 22, 2022
Japan ramps up Unification Church scrutiny with management and adoption probes
The inquiry into the church's management and financial status is another step toward stripping it of its 'religious corporation' status.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 21, 2022
Kishida's decisiveness in question following resignation of three ministers
While praised for making quick and strong decisions early in his prime ministership, lately Kishida has been criticized for dragging his feet amid scandals.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Explainer
Nov 20, 2022
As 'twindemic' looms in Japan, here is what to do if you have a fever
This winter, the cause of flu-like symptoms could be the coronavirus, the flu or the respiratory syncytial virus.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 18, 2022
Draft bill in Japan would enable refunds of religious donations
The bill would enable the children or spouse of the follower of a religious group to claim back some of a donation if it was made under conditions deemed problematic.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 15, 2022
Justice Ministry panel puts forward option of joint custody for divorced parents
The proposal could see Japan move into line with international standards, but has been criticized by supporters of domestic violence victims.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 11, 2022
Ministry to launch first-of-its-kind probe into Unification Church
The probe sets the stage for the controversial group to be stripped of its religious corporation status.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Nov 9, 2022
The politics behind Kishida's religious exploitation bill
Kishida saying that it will be a government-sponsored bill while the discussions were still ongoing startled lawmakers on both sides.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 8, 2022
Expert panel approves criteria for probe into religious groups
The conditions put forward by the panel will also serve as a basis for future cases where similar instances of wrongdoing are suspected by religious groups.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 2, 2022
Ex-Japan PM Aso and South Korea's Yoon pledge to work toward improved bilateral ties
Ruling party heavyweight Taro Aso held talks with South Korean leader Yoon Suk-yeol in Seoul amid a festering row over wartime labor compensation.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Nov 1, 2022
Despite uncertain future, Ukrainian children slowly adapt to Japanese schools
With the end of the war and the length of their time in Japan unclear, parents are facing a tough decision on how strongly to have their children embrace the study of Japanese.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 25, 2022
Shigeyuki Goto tapped as Japan's new economic revitalization minister
Daishiro Yamagiwa stepped down from the post over his ties with the controversial Unification Church, and the prime minister will be hoping the change eases criticism over the issue.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 24, 2022
Japan economy minister quits over Unification Church links
'I've caused trouble for the administration' by not being forthcoming over ties to the religious group, Daishiro Yamagiwa told reporters after tendering his resignation.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 19, 2022
Rival parties work together to craft bills helping 'spiritual sales' victims
By reaching out to the opposition, Kishida could pass a bill faster while dampening the momentum of opposition members grilling him on the issue of the Unification Church.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Oct 19, 2022
Japan reopens its borders. Are tourists ready to return?
Masks? Vaccinations? Yen? You're ready to come to Japan! News chief Kanako Takahara and reporter Will Fee join the podcast this week to discuss whether the country's grand reopening will help its beleaguered tourism sector.
Japanese stripper bids to have her porn movies taken off internet
Plaintiff Miyuki Ariga (left) speaks at a news conference along with her lawyer, Yoshitomo Morohashi, after filing a lawsuit at the Tokyo District Court on Monday.
America wasn’t made for walking, and it’s killing them
A 2010 study found that U.S. adults averaged 5,117 steps daily and that this was lower than the averages found in similar studies in Switzerland, western Australia and Japan.
U.S. envoy to Japan makes landmark visit to front-line island near Taiwan
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel meets with members of the Self-Defense Forces stationed on Yonaguni, Okinawa Prefecture, on Friday.
Japan passes bill to introduce 'blue ticket' fines for cyclists
A new system under which bicycle riders pay fines for minor traffic violations to escape criminal punishment is expected to be introduced in Japan no later than 2026.
Japan changes law to allow joint custody after divorce
Legislation that allows the option of joint custody of children after divorce is passed at the Upper House plenary session on Friday.
Can AI-generated inventions be patented? A Tokyo court says no.
The Tokyo court's ruling comes amid ongoing debates on how to regulate generative AI and is part of a transnational class action lawsuit.
A new initiative rethinks old Tohoku crafts
The colored patterns of Tsuguru "nuri," made in Aomori Prefecture, are achieved by applying multiple coatings of lacquer, which are later polished down to reveal layers of colors beneath.
Xi and Putin mark ‘new era’ amid efforts to counter U.S. ‘containment’
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend an event in Beijing on Thursday. During Putin's visit, the leaders showed off their growing alignment amid efforts to push back against the U.S.-led world order.
Unraveling the Japanese prose of Yukio Mishima
Author Yukio Mishima accepts the Arts Festival Award in the drama category at the 20th Arts Festival Award Ceremony on Jan. 22, 1966.
New Taiwan president to set tone for ties with China at inauguration
Taiwan President-elect Lai Ching-te arrives at the CyberSec 2024 Exhibition in Taipei on Wednesday.

Podcast

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.
[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

Longform

Things may look perfect to the outside world, but today's mom is fine with some imperfection at home.
How 'Reiwa moms' are reshaping motherhood in Japan
By Mai Yoshikawa

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