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October 29, 2025
 

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Eric Johnston

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Eric Johnston
JAPAN
May 17, 2023
Concerns over Russia draw Finland and Japan closer together
Tanja Jaaskelainen, Finland’s ambassador to Japan, told the Japan Times in an interview that shared worries over Russia are leading her country and Japan to boost cooperation.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
May 11, 2023
Komeito looks nervously toward next elections as Nippon Ishin rises
Despite only one Komeito loss in Osaka, the local Nippon Ishin chapter won seats for governor, mayor and control in prefectural and municipal assemblies.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
May 9, 2023
Motegi attempts to raise profile in possible challenge to Kishida
The powerful LDP Secretary-General, however, is not seen as a favorable choice for prime minister by many in Japan.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Apr 30, 2023
Nippon Ishin’s 'hop, skip and jump' election strategy faces one final leap
The Osaka-based Nippon Ishin faces a long final jump in order to achieve its goal of winning enough seats in the next general election to become Japan’s main opposition force.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Apr 24, 2023
Kishida rules out snap poll after LDP wins big in Sunday by-elections
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party received a welcome boost Sunday night as four of five LDP-affiliated or supported candidates won key parliamentary by-elections.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 20, 2023
Voter reaction to attack on Kishida could impact Sunday by-elections
How the ruling party performs is expected to influence Kishida’s decision on whether to call a snap election in the coming months.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Apr 17, 2023
G7 ministers promise more green energy use, but timeline on coal exit elusive
Japan’s position, adopted by the country's ministers, is that each country has its own economic energy situation that requires different methods to achieve carbon neutrality.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 16, 2023
G7 environment ministers agree on drastic expansion of wind power, but no coal exit timeline
Agreement leaves open the possibility of current coal plants employing controversial new technologies like hydrogen and ammonia co-fired plants as well as carbon capture and storage.
JAPAN
Apr 14, 2023
Osaka hits the jackpot in bid to become Japan’s first casino resort
The Osaka resort will consist of hotels, shops and a convention center to go along with the casino, and about 20 million people a year are expected to visit.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Apr 14, 2023
Japan on defensive going into G7 environment ministers summit
Tokyo is facing pressure from other G7 leaders to phase out coal power by 2030, while renewable energy proponents are seeking to push Japan to ramp up renewables.
JAPAN
Apr 11, 2023
Sapporo looks to change Winter Games bid to 2034 amid opposition
The Japanese Olympic Committee has said that it will be difficult to proceed with the 2030 bid due to public sentiment.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 10, 2023
The by-elections that could determine Kishida's snap election call
The April 23 votes could determine whether the prime minister heads into next month’s G7 summit with clear political skies, or under a cloud with party rivals grumbling about his leadership.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 9, 2023
Nippon Ishin candidates win big in Kansai region local elections
The opposition party's Osaka gubernatorial and mayoral candidates rolled to victory, assuring Nippon Ishin that it will remain a force in local and national politics in the months ahead.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 9, 2023
Could Hokkaido be the key to Japan's renewable ambitions?
As Japan looks to shift its energy mix toward cleaner sources, vast Hokkaido is drawing attention for its enormous potential for wind power.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Apr 3, 2023
Ryuichi Sakamoto, an outspoken peace and environment activist
The award-winning composer took a particularly strong anti-nuclear stance that put him at odds with Japanese officialdom.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Apr 3, 2023
Rising number of uncontested seats in Japan sparks calls for change
A quarter of candidates in 41 prefectural assembly elections ran unopposed — the second highest ever — prompting even the winners to call for reforms.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Mar 22, 2023
Can Nippon Ishin 'skip' to true national political prominence?
The Osaka-born party faces a make-or-break moment in next month’s series of local elections across the nation.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 8, 2023
Documents scandal involving Cabinet minister an untimely political headache for Kishida
The economic security minister has come under fire for files an opposition lawmaker says is proof she was involved in pushing for a legal reinterpretation of the broadcasting law.
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Mar 6, 2023
Osaka’s exclusion of Dentsu and Hakuhodo expected to impact 2025 Expo
The two companies have been excluded from the event following their indictment over Tokyo Games bid-rigging, but not many ad firms in Japan boast their level of experience.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 27, 2023
Yamaguchi by-election puts spotlight on dynastic politics
Nobuchiyo Kishi thought reminding voters of his politician relatives was a good move, but he has been accused of just taking over the family business and not caring about voters' problems.
Inside Tokyo's 'phantom' stations — and the stories they tell
Mamoru Iwai, stationmaster of Keisei Ueno Station, says that, other than earthquake-proofing, the former Hakubutsukan-Dobutsuen (Museum-Zoo) Station has remained untouched.
At first summit with Trump, Takaichi pledges 'new golden age' for alliance
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi raises her fist as U.S. President Donald Trump delivers a speech in front of U.S. Navy personnel on board the U.S. Navy's USS George Washington aircraft carrier at the American naval base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Tuesday.
Trump arrives in Japan for security and trade talks in test for Takaichi
U.S. President Donald Trump is welcomed by Emperor Naruhito upon his arrival at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Monday evening.
Japanese firms keep expanding in Germany's North Rhine-Westphalia
A Nishiyama Seimen employee works at its factory in Sapporo.
Bear kills another person in Japan in record year for fatal attacks
Police investigate the scene of a bear attack that killed one person and injured three others on Friday in the village of Higashinaruse in Akita Prefecture.
Hawks aim to bring energy from Japan Series blowout to Koshien
Hawks players celebrate victory over the Tigers at Mizuho PayPay Dome Fukuoka on Sunday.
Spanish artist and Japanese writer duos diversify the manga talent pool in Japan
"Menheim” is a dark fantasy manga with a story that centers on a girl’s quest to find a cure for her ill brother.
Japan’s youth are apathetic toward the climate crisis. Could anime change that?
“Future Kid Takara,” a series of anime shorts to be aired on NHK Educational TV in November, attempts to educate children about climate change.
Loss to Wallabies doesn't dampen Japan’s optimism
Japan's Michael Leitch controls the ball during the match against Australia on Saturday.
Stars align for Kim-Trump meeting — but any talks will be on N.K. leader’s terms
A South Korean soldier stands next to a TV broadcasting a news report about a possible summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump, at the main railway station in Seoul on Wednesday.

Podcast

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

Longform

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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