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Eric Johnston

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Eric Johnston
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 28, 2020
Two LDP factions face uncertain future after losing race to Suga
The status of Shigeru Ishiba's group is up in the air, while Fumio Kishida is exploring mergers with other factions to bolster his chances of becoming prime minister.
JAPAN
Oct 25, 2020
U.N. nuke ban treaty to enter effect Jan. 22, heaping pressure on Japan to join
Tokyo has so far resisted domestic and international calls to join, saying a pact without the participation of nuclear powers was not practical.
JAPAN / Society / EXPLAINER
Oct 21, 2020
Japan looks to clamp down on illicit outflow of famous food products
Seeds being sold abroad without permission represents threat to intellectual property rights, but opposition says LDP's bill would simply hurt Japan's farmers.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 19, 2020
Could reform mission put Taro Kono on path to succeed Suga?
Driving reforms is giving the media- and social media-savvy 57-year-old the opportunity to raise his political profile by playing to his strengths. Will it be enough?
JAPAN / Politics / View from Osaka
Oct 17, 2020
Osaka merger would affect residents and outsiders alike
The planned move to merge the city's administrative wards could give officials more freedom to attract tourists and businesses.
JAPAN / Society / EXPLAINER
Oct 13, 2020
Controversy over bids to host nuclear waste highlights disposal issue
Two municipalities in Hokkaido have applied to the first stage of the process to build final disposal sites for nuclear waste, but the moves have prompted opposition.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Oct 13, 2020
Referendum a pivotal moment for Osaka and its politicians
On Nov. 1, the city's residents will be asked whether to merge Osaka's 24 wards into just four.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Oct 6, 2020
Suga's rejection of nominees to top advisory body prompts calls for reform
The way the council chooses its members has prompted criticism and calls for reform from supporters and opponents of Suga's decision.
JAPAN
Oct 1, 2020
Tourism sector balances hopes and concerns as Tokyo joins Go To Travel
While the capital is a major source of domestic tourism for many areas, it is also the source of about 30 percent of Japan's coronavirus cases.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Oct 1, 2020
COVID-19 presents crucial moment for gender diversity in Japan
With the pandemic changing the way we work, the International Conference for Women in Business says women must now be brought to the fore.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Sep 27, 2020
A closer look at the LDP lawmakers who support Suga
Yoshihide Suga became prime minister because he was able to secure the support of the most powerful formal faction leaders in the Liberal Democratic Party, whose members voted for him over rivals Fumio Kishida and Shigeru Ishiba, who also lead their own factions. But behind that support from top formal...
JAPAN / Politics / View from Osaka
Sep 19, 2020
Let the Suga-Nippon Ishin bromance begin
Osaka Mayor Ichiro Matsui and his supporters are breathing easy, knowing their favorite LDP politician is now the prime minister.
JAPAN / Politics / EXPLAINER
Sep 16, 2020
With Suga as Japan PM, what are the chances of a snap election?
Faced with a weak opposition, the LDP must weigh possible political gains against voter backlash for taking its eye off the COVID-19 pandemic.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 15, 2020
For Japan's new Constitutional Democratic Party, the hard work starts now
As the largest opposition party formally kicks off it faces no shortage of challenges, including corralling established figures not accustomed to being on the same side.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 11, 2020
Meet the ‘shadow shogun’ behind the making of Japan’s next prime minister
Yoshihide Suga's rise to pole position in the race to succeed Shinzo Abe is largely the making of political operator Toshihiro Nikai.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 10, 2020
Yukio Edano elected chief of new CDP, Japan’s top opposition party
In his acceptance speech, Edano called on the ruling coalition to hold an extraordinary Diet session this autumn, citing the need to discuss virus-related bills.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Sep 8, 2020
Let's discuss Shinzo Abe's resignation
A Japan Times article looks back on Shinzo Abe's time as prime minister of Japan.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Sep 7, 2020
Efforts to decentralize Japan have a long history
Moves to address the nation's obsession with Tokyo have long seemed futile, but recently the capital's population shrunk for the first time since 1956.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 5, 2020
Nippon Ishin no Kai sees an ally in Suga in LDP leadership race
Close ties are likely to bode well for Osaka's efforts to ensure central government financing in next year's fiscal budget for the 2025 Expo.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Aug 30, 2020
75 years on, legacy of the U.S.-led Occupation of Japan still resonates
While Japan blossomed as an economic powerhouse in the second half of the century, some argue the Occupation created problems that lingered long after it ended.
If the 'Big One' hits, this city could face a 31-meter-high tsunami
A small shrine perched atop rocks braves the waves hitting the shoreline during a storm in Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture. The area is under threat of a possible 31-meter-high tsunami if an earthquake strikes the nearby Nankai Trough.
Counting the reasons why there are so few American cars in Japan
Tesla's store in Tokyo's Shibuya district. While sales of American cars in Japan appear to be shrinking, Tesla's presence in the country is growing.
Shohei Ohtani's example could change Japan's views on paternity leave
Shohei Ohtani and Mamiko Tanaka announced the birth of their first child on April 19.
Nearly half of workers in Japan engage in ‘quiet quitting’
"Quiet quitting" is most common among the younger generation, with 46.7% of respondents to a survey in their 20s identifying with the practice, reflecting a less-motivated workforce more focused on work-life balance.
Japan worries Trump tariffs will push countries toward China
Liberal Democratic Party Policy Chief Itsunori Onodera (center) speaks at a think tank event Monday in Washington.
Could this be Japan’s year at the Kentucky Derby?
Christophe Lemaire rides Admire Daytona, who was bred in Japan, during the UAE Derby at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai on April 5.
Counting the reasons why there are so few American cars in Japan
Tesla's store in Tokyo's Shibuya district. While sales of American cars in Japan appear to be shrinking, Tesla's presence in the country is growing.
Shohei Ohtani's example could change Japan's views on paternity leave
Shohei Ohtani and Mamiko Tanaka announced the birth of their first child on April 19.
Nearly half of workers in Japan engage in ‘quiet quitting’
"Quiet quitting" is most common among the younger generation, with 46.7% of respondents to a survey in their 20s identifying with the practice, reflecting a less-motivated workforce more focused on work-life balance.
U.S. secretary of the navy weighs ‘dual-use’ shipbuilding with Japan
John Phelan at a Senate confirmation hearing for U.S. secretary of the navy in Washington in February

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

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A small shrine perched atop rocks braves the waves hitting the shoreline during a storm in Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture. The area is under threat of a possible 31-meter-high tsunami if an earthquake strikes the nearby Nankai Trough.
If the 'Big One' hits, this city could face a 31-meter-high tsunami
By Alex K.T. Martin

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