Eric Johnston - The Japan Times

October 29, 2025

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Eric Johnston

JAPAN / Politics

Jan 18, 2024

Japanese Communist Party picks first-ever female leader

Upper House member Tomoka Tamura takes over the chair of the 102-year-old political party — Japan’s oldest — from Kazuo Shii, who held the post since 2000.

JAPAN / Politics

Jan 16, 2024

Abe faction's seven senior members won't be prosecuted, reports say

Proving a criminal conspiracy between them and the group's treasurer to not report excess income from fundraising parties has been deemed too difficult by investigators.

JAPAN

Jan 2, 2024

Japan's nuclear power plants largely undamaged following quake

While the plants escaped serious damage, the tremor could once again spark public concern about the safety of nuclear energy.

JAPAN / Politics

Jan 2, 2024

Who might succeed Fumio Kishida in 2024?

Several names have emerged as potential candidates for prime minister in the wake of a political funds scandal enveloping the LDP.

Reporters gather in front of the Upper House parliamentary building on Thursday in Tokyo. Prosecutors raided LDP lawmaker Yasutada Ono's office, which is located in the building, the same day.

JAPAN / Crime & Legal

Dec 28, 2023

Second LDP member’s office raided over political funds scandal

Upper House member Yasutada Ono became the second lawmaker to have his offices searched by prosecutors in connection with the scandal.

JAPAN / Politics

Dec 27, 2023

Prosecutors raid LDP lawmaker's home and offices over unreported funds

Prosecutors entered Yoshitaka Ikeda's Tokyo and Nagoya offices on suspicion that he violated the Political Funds Control Law.

Former education minister Kisaburo Tokai, who has been tapped as Liberal Democratic Party policy chief, speaks to reporters Thursday at the Prime Minister's Office.

JAPAN / Politics

Dec 21, 2023

Kishida makes more LDP leadership changes in bid to restore trust

The changes come a week after he dismissed four key members of his Cabinet who were also Abe faction members suspected of receiving unreported funds.

JAPAN / Politics

Dec 19, 2023

Prosecutors search sites linked to scandal-hit LDP factions

Prosecutors searched the biggest faction, once led by late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and another led by former LDP Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai.

JAPAN / Society / Regional Voices: Hokkaido

Dec 15, 2023

Hokkaido to face issues around Rapidus, seafood and '2024 problem'

An influx of foreign residents is expected in Chitose, while China's ban on marine products continues to hurt the region.

Incoming Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi arrives at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Thursday.

JAPAN / Politics

Dec 14, 2023

Kishida axes Abe faction members from government over funds scandal

In replacing nearly a dozen ministers and officials, the prime minister is attempting to contain the worst crisis of his administration so far.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno attend a Cabinet meeting in Tokyo on Friday.

JAPAN / Politics

Dec 8, 2023

Kishida walks tightrope after new funds allegations against Matsuno

The top government spokesperson is believed to have received kickbacks from his faction totaling more than ¥10 million over the last five years.

JAPAN / Society

Dec 5, 2023

Osaka Expo woes weigh on city's casino resort project

Given the logistical and timing issues facing the expo, there are concerns over whether the casino resort can be built on schedule.

JAPAN / Society

Nov 29, 2023

Russia becomes latest country to pull out of Osaka Expo

The announcement is more bad news for the troubled event, which already faces pavilion construction delays, skyrocketing costs and little public support.

With COP28 taking place during a year set to be the hottest on record, the need for more progress has never been greater.

JAPAN / Society

Nov 29, 2023

Japan's relationship with coal likely to be in focus at COP28

With the climate talks taking place during a year set to be the hottest on record, the need for more progress has never been greater.

JAPAN / Politics

Nov 22, 2023

LDP and CDP join forces against Nippon Ishin in local elections

While such coordination isn't uncommon, in the past it has generally been aimed at beating candidates from the Japanese Communist Party.

Tunnel construction for the Hokkaido Shinkansen has proved slow in some areas due to geological reasons and the difficulty of blasting through the earth.

JAPAN / Society / Regional Voices: Hokkaido

Nov 20, 2023

Tight labor market puts Hokkaido Shinkansen 2030 goal in doubt

The 212-kilometer route now under construction will link cities between Hakodate, at the southern tip of the prefecture, and Sapporo.

Ichiro Ozawa (third from right) with other members of parliament at a ceremony to launch a new party in Tokyo in July 2012.

JAPAN / Politics

Nov 15, 2023

Ichiro Ozawa is once again looking for a way to defeat the LDP

The octogenarian political veteran is looking to cap his long career with another successful drive to defeat the ruling LDP at the polls.

JAPAN / Politics

Nov 13, 2023

State minister of finance resigns in further blow to Kishida

Kenji Kanda submitted his resignation after admitting that his firm had failed to pay fixed asset taxes.

JAPAN / Politics

Nov 10, 2023

Former Lower House speaker and LDP heavyweight Hiroyuki Hosoda dies

The seasoned lawmaker served in key posts in the government and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, including as chief Cabinet secretary.

JAPAN / Politics

Nov 9, 2023

Kishida rules out snap election amid record low popularity

The prime minister has once again ruled out a snap election as he faces record low popularity ratings and growing criticism from within his own party.

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Mamoru Iwai, stationmaster of Keisei Ueno Station, says that, other than earthquake-proofing, the former Hakubutsukan-Dobutsuen (Museum-Zoo) Station has remained untouched.

Inside Tokyo's 'phantom' stations — and the stories they tell

By Alex K.T. Martin

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