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October 29, 2025
 

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Eric Johnston

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Eric Johnston
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Dec 12, 2022
Delayed pick for 2030 Winter Olympics host puts Sapporo in a bind
The IOC's announcement could further complicate the city's effort, as bid supporters and opponents face off next year — especially in April's local elections.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Dec 9, 2022
Amid low ratings and scandals, Kishida scores a win with passage of key bills
In a parliamentary session rocked by Cabinet resignations and controversy over the Unification Church, the prime minister was able to eke out some political wins.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 30, 2022
Help wanted: Niseko facing labor crunch as ski season gets underway
Despite hope that winter tourists will return, some in Niseko's service industry may have to make do with limited staff.
JAPAN
Nov 30, 2022
Hokkaido's COVID-19 infections rise, but serious cases remain low
While Hokkaido is facing a strain on total available hospital beds, the percentage of those being used for seriously ill patients is small.
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.
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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