author

 
Menu
Search
 
October 29, 2025
 

Today's print edition

Home Delivery
Subscribe for more access
Eric Johnston

Meta

Eric Johnston
JAPAN / Politics / EXPLAINER
Sep 22, 2021
The LDP's secretary-general: A combination of CEO and diplomat
The LDP presidential race has put renewed focus on the powerful position, with various party heavyweights looking to get rid of the long-standing incumbent.
BUSINESS / Longform
Sep 20, 2021
Kyoto is facing bankruptcy. What happens now?
Massive budget cuts have been proposed to stem the losses now that international tourism to the city has all but dried up.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 18, 2021
COVID-19 in focus as LDP hopefuls make their case in wide-ranging debate
The government's response to the coronavirus crisis, the constitutionality of lockdowns and the challenge the pandemic has posed for the medical system were central themes on Saturday.
JAPAN / Society
Sep 16, 2021
As Japan lags on gender equality, some debate needed for legal targets
At the recent International Conference for Women in Business, how to make progress, and whether voluntary targets are enough, formed the basis of much of the discussion.
JAPAN / Politics / EXPLAINER
Sep 14, 2021
The LDP's leadership race kicks into high gear this week: This is how it will go down
Support from rank-and-file members will be key for candidates, but if the election goes to a runoff, LDP lawmakers will have a bigger say.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 13, 2021
LDP leadership contender Kishida unveils initiatives to counter China
Kishida, taking a page from the Biden's administration's multilateral approach to dealing with Beijing, has called for Tokyo to work even more closely with other 'like-minded' democracies.
JAPAN / Politics / View from Osaka
Sep 10, 2021
Who you gonna call?: Parties with Osaka roots sad to see Suga go
With the upcoming change in LDP leadership, Nippon Ishin no Kai may lose its direct line to the Prime Minister's Office at a crucial time in Kansai politics.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 8, 2021
Abe ally Sanae Takaichi enters LDP race as underdog
The hawkish conservative backs increased nuclear power over renewables, similar economic policies to her mentor and laws to protect Japanese research.
JAPAN
Aug 31, 2021
U.S. climate envoy John Kerry visits Tokyo to build momentum for U.N. summit
Kerry's stop in the capital, where he met with senior Japanese politicians, is part of a worldwide effort to raise ambitions ahead of the meeting in Glasgow.
JAPAN / Politics / EXPLAINER
Aug 27, 2021
Off to the races: LDP presidential election campaign begins
A number of challengers to Suga are beginning to emerge, with Fumio Kishida currently being the prime minister's strongest rival.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Aug 23, 2021
Loss by Suga ally in Yokohama election rattles the LDP
The prime minister's position has become even more precarious, with questions growing within the LDP over whether he should lead the party into an upcoming general election.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 22, 2021
In major blow to Suga, opposition party-backed Takeharu Yamanaka wins Yokohama mayoral election
Takeharu Yamanaka's victory in the Yokohama mayoral also puts the brakes on the city's efforts to host a casino resort in the city's waterfront Yamashita Pier district.
JAPAN
Aug 18, 2021
Robert 'Skipp' Orr, key figure in U.S.-Japan relations, dies age 68
Orr enjoyed a long and distinguished career in business, government and academia, with positions at the Asian Development Bank, Boeing Japan and others organizations.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Aug 18, 2021
Former Prime Minister Abe bids for a new role: LDP kingmaker
With Suga's falling popularity opening up an opportunity, Abe and his allies are vying for greater control over the LDP at the expense of Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 11, 2021
Kyoto's reconstruction plan calls for big spending cuts
Kyoto faces a financial shortfall of nearly u00a5280 billion over the next five years, and now day care centers, transport subsidies and the bureaucracy are on the chopping block.
JAPAN
Aug 8, 2021
Japan's casino resort candidates put finishing touches on bids
A maximum of three locations for so-called integrated resorts — which combine casinos with hotels and other facilities — will then be formally announced sometime after May.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 8, 2021
Casino takes top billing, but Yokohama mayoral election may offer hints to Suga's fate
The main issue is a casino project at Yamashita Pier. Six of the eight candidates, including staunch Suga ally Hachiro Okonogi, are against the plan.
JAPAN / View from Osaka
Aug 6, 2021
Kansai looks to lessons from Olympics for own international events
Political and business leaders are likely to focus on the good and bad points of Tokyo's experience as they look ahead to the World Masters Games Kansai and the 2025 World Expo.
JAPAN / Explainer
Aug 2, 2021
Pressure builds over raising Japan's age of consent
Controversial remarks by a Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan lawmaker and cases of paternal rape have driven discussion on lifting the age of consent.
JAPAN / Explainer
Jul 27, 2021
Hiroshima hibakusha have won their 'black rain' lawsuit. This is how they got there.
The government has decided not to appeal a landmark ruling that extends benefits to A-bomb victims affected by fallout outside of a government-designated area.
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

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Tokyo Gas lights the way to carbon neutrality
Tokyo Gas lights the way to carbon neutrality

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

Read more

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER