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 Eric Johnston

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Eric Johnston
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 / Politics
Nov 20, 2022
Kishida Cabinet loses third minister in less than one month
Terada's exit is likely to further damage the prime minister's public approval ratings and raise questions about his political future.
JAPAN
Nov 11, 2022
Justice minister ousted over death row gaffe in fresh blow to Kishida Cabinet
The minister's departure marks the second Kishida Cabinet member to resign in less than three weeks.
JAPAN
Nov 10, 2022
Justice minister’s death row gaffe marks another blow for Kishida
The minister made remarks widely interpreted as making light of his responsibility to authorize executions of death row inmates.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Nov 1, 2022
Tokyo begins recognition of same-sex partnerships
However, same-sex marriage is prohibited nationwide, meaning various legal protections only afforded to married couples remain unavailable as well.
BUSINESS
Nov 1, 2022
Japan asks homes and businesses to conserve electricity as tight supplies loom
The request to cut usage will be in place from Dec. 1 through March 31, but a specific target has not been set.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 30, 2022
Can LDP and Komeito hammer out differences over defense spending?
The coalition partners disagree on issues such as counterstrike capability as well as budget size and allocation.
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 / Explainer
Oct 21, 2022
Tokyo Olympics bribery scandal: Investigation ensnares stuffed-toy maker and ad firms
The case has grown to encompass ADK Holdings — Japan's third-largest advertising firm — and stuffed-toy maker Sun Arrow, among others.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Oct 19, 2022
With one notable exception, Kishida’s climate policy is similar to his predecessors'
Kishida's strategy relies not only on expanding renewable energy and restarting conventional nuclear power plants but also proposed unproven technologies like smaller nuclear reactors.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Oct 14, 2022
Time running out for families of Japanese abducted by North Korea
There is concern that Pyongyang will continue to stall on the issue, and some family members have suggested the Japanese government needs to rethink its approach.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 13, 2022
U.S.-Japan business leaders urge cooperation amid economic security challenges
The war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic both pose challenges that requires bolstering the private sector's role in the bilateral relationship, business leaders said.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 7, 2022
LDP faction that Abe led faces leadership challenges as it picks new chief
How presumed successor Ryu Shionoya fares in managing the group could change the political dynamics within the ruling LDP.
BUSINESS / EXPLAINER
Oct 4, 2022
TSE's trial carbon trading project could lead to shake-up of sector
The project is being conducted under the economy ministry and involves more than 140 participating companies and organizations.
JAPAN
Oct 4, 2022
Japan residents wake up to rare J-Alert missile warning
Under the J-system, developed in 2007, messages are sent in times of national emergencies such as earthquakes, terrorist attacks and certain missile launches.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Sep 29, 2022
As parliament reconvenes, questions loom over LDP-Komeito ties
The kind of close, informal connections senior members of previous LDP-led governments had with senior Komeito officials appears to be lacking under Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
JAPAN
Sep 27, 2022
Respect and protest: Abe funeral draws large crowds with contrasting aims
Huge throngs gathered around the Nippon Budokan for what may be remembered as one of the most controversial ceremonial events in Japan in recent years.
JAPAN
Sep 22, 2022
Lawmakers' attendance at Abe state funeral largely split along party lines
While most are making their decision based on their party's relationship with the late politician, there are individual exceptions in both the ruling and opposition parties.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Sep 21, 2022
Arrest of Kadokawa chief rocks sprawling media empire
Initially a publisher of books and textbooks, over the years the company has expanded into movies, video games and apps.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 15, 2022
Opposition parties split over Abe state funeral as CDP says it won't attend
The government's failure to address concerns over the funeral's necessity, the decision-making process for the event and its cost are some of the reasons raised for the CDP's decision.

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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