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October 29, 2025
 

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Eric Johnston

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Eric Johnston
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 11, 2022
Japan's opposition parties ponder leadership after election drubbing
Any celebrations of relief for CDP, or success for Nippon Ishin, may be tempered by concerns over who will take over the reins in the years ahead.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 9, 2022
Lower House redistricting plans in focus after Abe’s death
The ruling LDP is facing tricky political questions in the late PM's home prefecture of Yamaguchi, with the answers likely to impact a Lower House district realignment plan.
JAPAN
Jul 7, 2022
Japan’s oldest and youngest political parties court disaffected voters
Despite similarities in their platforms, the two parties' voting blocs come from completely different generations.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 5, 2022
Rising cost of farming casts shadow over Upper House race in Hokkaido
Higher fertilizer and animal feed prices are putting the prefecture's key agriculture sector under pressure, making inflation an even bigger issue there than the rest of the nation.
JAPAN / New Normal 2.0
Jun 27, 2022
Japan prepares for bounce in tourism, but pre-pandemic demand still far off
Destinations such as Niseko in Hokkaido are gearing up for 'revenge travel' by domestic and foreign tourists, but caution over COVID-19 limits the expected rise in numbers.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Jun 27, 2022
Hokkaido sake brewer looks to post-COVID gastro-tourism market
While Kyoto and Hiroshima are likely be the go-to choices for many first-time visitors to Japan, Hokkaido could be a tempting travel experience for those visiting again.
JAPAN
Jun 24, 2022
Nippon Ishin and DPP face struggle to differentiate themselves in election
Past cooperation with each other — and with the LDP — is weighing on the two opposition parties ahead of the Upper House election on July 10.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 23, 2022
In Japan's Upper House poll, CDP battles to stay relevant
Seven months after a disastrous Lower House election, the largest opposition party finds itself with low poll numbers and questions swirling about what will happen if it again loses seats.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 9, 2022
Japan's Lower House rejects no-confidence motions against PM and speaker
While the outcome was never in doubt, the votes may indicate a larger split between the opposition parties.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 8, 2022
Opposition CDP submits no-confidence motions ahead of election
CDP leader Kenta Izumi has lambasted Lower House speaker Hiroyuki Hosoda over sexual harassment allegations and targeted Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's response to price hikes.
Japan Times
WORLD
May 30, 2022
New Australian leader Anthony Albanese focuses on countering China's Pacific influence
Heading into the election, the Labor Party platform emphasized that its defense and foreign policy would start with increased cooperation with the Pacific islands.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
May 24, 2022
The IPEF, already a tough sell for Biden at home, seen as limited in scope
American businesses continue to look on jealously at an existing major Asia-Pacific trade pact, which they say offers greater precision and economic impact.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 23, 2022
Biden launches Indo-Pacific Economic Framework with 13 nations including Japan
The IPEF is an attempt by the U.S. to reassert its economic leadership in the region after it withdrew from a major Asia-Pacific trade pact in 2017 under Donald Trump.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
May 20, 2022
Amid energy supply woes, Japan looks to the U.S. as an LNG source
Biden's coming visit to Japan is an opportunity for Washington and Tokyo to expand bilateral energy cooperation, including increased fossil fuel exports by the U.S.
JAPAN / FOCUS
May 15, 2022
Tourism and logistics: Okinawa's latest plan to boost its economy
Under its latest economic plan, Okinawa aims to raise its gross prefectural product from u00a54.1 trillion in fiscal 2020 to u00a55.7 trillion by 2031 and reduce its jobless rate from 3.6% to 2.5%.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
May 12, 2022
Japan’s main labor group is drawing closer to the LDP. Some say too close.
Closer ties between Rengo and the ruling LDP would deeply concern opposition leaders, who rely on the union's 7 million members for electoral support.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 9, 2022
Japan to phase out Russian oil use but remain in Sakhalin energy projects
The ban 'in principle' on Russian oil imports is expected to come in stages, and is expected to have limited effect on Japan's supplies.
JAPAN / FOCUS
May 2, 2022
Ukraine war pushes revision of Japan's Constitution into the spotlight
With more LDP lawmakers calling for changes and the public taking a greater interest in the issue, Kishida has been forced to address the topic ahead of July's Upper House election.
JAPAN
Apr 27, 2022
In emotional news conference, tour boat operator apologizes for Hokkaido tragedy
The cause of the accident remains unclear, but investigators plan to build a criminal case against the boat's operator.
JAPAN
Apr 25, 2022
Hokkaido boat accident highlights the risks of nature tourism
Firms offering boat tours of the Shiretoko Peninsula have agreed not to operate during Golden Week, and officials are worried that the incident will keep tourists away from Hokkaido.
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’

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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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