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October 29, 2025
 

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Eric Johnston

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Eric Johnston
JAPAN
Apr 21, 2022
End of Wakayama bid leaves only Osaka and Nagasaki in race for Japan’s first casinos
The prefecture's withdrawal due to unclear financing for the project undermines a major initiative by the central government to revitalize local economies.
JAPAN
Apr 15, 2022
Russia-Ukraine crisis far away for most in Japan, but not in Hokkaido
More visible demonstrations of Moscow's military power on and around Russian-held, Japanese-claimed islands off Hokkaido are generating concerns among residents.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Apr 11, 2022
Lower House redistricting threatens clash of titans within LDP
With a single-seat district to be cut in Yamaguchi, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and ex-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe could end up fighting for the remaining seats and resulting influence.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Apr 5, 2022
Three months before Upper House poll, Kishida holds party rivals at bay
Strong approval ratings and the Ukraine crisis have given the prime minister the edge over his rival Shinzo Abe within the LDP.
JAPAN
Apr 1, 2022
The Dubai Expo is over. Next stop: Osaka
Due to the Dubai event's one-year postponement, Japanese organizers have just three years, instead of the usual four, to finalize preparations.
BUSINESS
Mar 31, 2022
Highest wheat price rise in 14 years has Japan consumers bracing for more expensive bread
The price hike for wheat the government sells to private milling companies comes amid growing concerns about poor harvests in supply countries and the effect of Russia's war in Ukraine.
JAPAN
Mar 30, 2022
Opposition CDP submits bill granting more rights to refugees in Japan
The proposal would allow those from Ukraine and other countries to obtain a special residence status that gives them permission to work for one year from the date they arrive.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Mar 22, 2022
Ukraine invasion and climate change drive concerns over Japan’s food security
Long-term issues such as global warming and an aging population could harm the nation's self-sufficiency and its ability to secure adequate food imports.
JAPAN
Mar 14, 2022
Japan to discuss creating new police unit to guard nuclear plants
The issue of defending the nation's nuclear plants has come into the spotlight following Russia's attack on the Zaporizhzhia facility in Ukraine.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Mar 9, 2022
How Russia quietly built up its military presence in Asia
Japan and its neighbors are pondering what further cooperation between Russia and China could mean for the region.
BUSINESS / EXPLAINER
Mar 3, 2022
Japan’s oil stockpiles come into spotlight following Russia's invasion of Ukraine
The IAE, of which Japan is a member, decided to release 60 million barrels of oil reserves as a step toward stabilizing global oil markets, which have been rattled by the war in Ukraine.
JAPAN / Explainer
Mar 1, 2022
As tensions in East Asia mount, Japan looks to beef up Okinawa defense
Due to China's growing regional assertiveness, momentum behind the deployment of SDF forces to the Nansei Islands, and Ishigaki in particular, has grown.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 28, 2022
Following Ukraine invasion, Japan takes much tougher line on Russia
Sanctions announced by Kishida contrast with Tokyo's approach after Moscow annexed Crimea in 2014, when negotiations over contested islands off Hokkaido were a top priority.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Feb 24, 2022
Kishida at odds with other LDP members over COVID-19 and foreign policy
With media polls showing Kishida's support rate is declining, questions about who is in charge — the prime minister or his party — are growing.
JAPAN
Feb 14, 2022
Osaka holds off on emergency request amid signs cases are peaking
The central government is expected to extend the prefecture's quasi-emergency, but a state of emergency request will only be issued if cases go up in the future.
JAPAN
Feb 10, 2022
Calls for Japan to relax COVID-19 entry restrictions intensify
Foreign business groups and students have weighed in on the issue, warning of international damage to the country's reputation.
BUSINESS
Feb 9, 2022
Japan to send LNG to Europe amid Ukraine tensions
Following a request from the U.S., the government has said that it will offer surplus supplies to Europe.
JAPAN
Feb 8, 2022
Cabinet gives OK to allowing SDF to evacuate foreign nationals abroad
The revised bill, which is expected to pass during the current parliamentary session, comes six months after the SDF was involved in evacuations from Afghanistan.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 7, 2022
Tension between opposition parties mounts over Upper House electoral cooperation
Tensions are running high between the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Japanese Communist Party after a tie-up last year failed to yield results.
JAPAN / Explainer
Feb 6, 2022
Volatile international oil situation takes toll on Japan’s gas prices and policy
The price at the pump reached u00a5170 per liter on Jan. 24 — the highest it's been in over 13 years.
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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