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July 06, 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 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 / 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 / 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
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
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
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 / 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
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
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 / 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
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
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
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.
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.
JAPAN
Oct 17, 2022
Unification Church could be stripped of special status after Kishida probe
The group could lose its “religious corporation” status, which makes donations and other revenue made from religious activities exempt from taxation.
JAPAN
Oct 13, 2022
Japan updates advice on clinic visits for COVID patients amid 'twindemic' fears
People between the ages of 12 and 64 with a low risk of developing severe COVID-19 symptoms have been asked to refrain from going to so-called fever clinics.
JAPAN
Oct 12, 2022
Confusing mix of policies sours start of domestic travel discount campaign
Prefectures have chosen differing kickoff dates and COVID-19 protocols, resulting in a baffling array of eligibility requirements.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 5, 2022
The church, the economy and the funeral: CDP leader grills Kishida
The opposition took the prime minister to task over his party's ties to the Unification Church, the state funeral for ex-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and soaring inflation.
JAPAN
Oct 4, 2022
North Korea fires ballistic missile over Japan for first time since 2017
The missile, which was estimated to have traveled 4,600 km, prompted Tokyo to issue a rare alert calling for residents to take cover.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 3, 2022
Kishida tries to put focus on economy after Unification Church controversy
The prime minister used his speech at the opening of the new parliamentary session to emphasize economic measures, such as those on inflation and raising wages.
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.
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.
A prophesied disaster (likely) won’t strike Japan this weekend
A viral manga prediction of a July 5 disaster has gripped Japan with anxiety and triggered an economic impact, but experts warn that while such dates are unreliable, the threat of a massive earthquake remains real. 
Residents of Tokara Islands begin evacuation as seismic swarm continues
Details about evacuations from Akuseki Island, located in the Tokara island chain in Kagoshima Prefecture, is seen written on a whiteboard in the city of Kagoshima on Thursday.
U.S. military apologizes over Okinawa sexual assault case
Col. Neil Owens (right), chief of staff for the 3rd Marine Division, bows in apology at the Okinawa Prefectural Government office in Naha on Thursday.
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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