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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 Times
JAPAN / Explainer
Jan 10, 2023
Japan's domestic travel discount program is back. Here's what you need to know.
The discount program is expected to end in stages as each prefecture runs out of funds allocated from the central government, but it will likely last until the end of March.
JAPAN / Politics / Outlook for 2023
Jan 2, 2023
In 2023, Kishida's political survival hangs in the balance
Kishida heads into the new year with diminished political capital, having suffered one setback after another since former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's assassination in July.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Dec 28, 2022
U.S. national killed in Saitama was a well-established businessman in Japan
William Bishop Jr. came to Japan in 1974 and eventually went on to start his own health care consultancy. He has been described as “dedicated, hard-working and a real leader.”
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 27, 2022
Japan to tighten borders for travelers from China on Dec. 30
All travelers from China as well as those who have been to China within the previous seven days will be tested for COVID-19 upon their arrival in Japan.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 27, 2022
Japan's reconstruction minister resigns following funding scandal
Kenya Akiba has admitted to having two political groups affiliated with him pay u00a514 million to his mother and his wife as “rent” between 2011 and 2020.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 26, 2022
COVID-19 cases on the rise as Japan enters the holiday season
JTB estimates that about 21 million people will travel domestically, up 16.7% from the previous year.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 23, 2022
Tokyo’s long-term plan to become more disaster resilient
The capital is planning to upgrade its infrastructure by 2049 to be better prepared for heavy rain and flooding events.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Dec 22, 2022
Aoki Holdings founder pleads guilty to bribery related to Tokyo Games
Thursday's court hearing was the first related to a series of scandals involving the Tokyo Olympics.
Japan Times
JAPAN / History
Dec 20, 2022
'Kobe Cannibal': Media's fascination lingers on in the West after death
Despite his one-time fame, the death of notorious murderer and cannibal Issei Sagawa received only cursory coverage in Japan, in contrast to the West.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 19, 2022
The trains in Japan that will — and won't — be running on New Year’s Eve
For those looking to stay out late on New Year's Eve for their first shrine visit of the year or to celebrate the start of 2023, it helps to know which trains are operating all night.
JAPAN
Dec 15, 2022
Same levy, different name: Reconstruction tax to be shifted to defense spending
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party's latest plan to fund a defense budget hike is to create a new defense tax.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 14, 2022
Japanese wife of French national cites lack of trust for not allowing child visitations
The Fichot case made headlines and was seen as a tragic case of a father not being able to see his children.
JAPAN
Dec 13, 2022
Controversy grows over proposed use of Tohoku funds to cover defense spending
The government is eyeing using a special tax designed to finance reconstruction costs for areas affected by the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Longform
Dec 12, 2022
Smooth operator: Rahm Emanuel’s transition to life as a diplomat
The U.S. ambassador on adjusting to life in Tokyo, his direct management style and dealing with Japanese politicians.
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
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
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
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 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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