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October 29, 2025
 

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Eric Johnston

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Eric Johnston
JAPAN / Politics / EXPLAINER
Nov 12, 2020
What the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy brings to Suga's table
Powerful advisory group is now the administration's 'command center' for economic and strategy debates.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 3, 2020
Japan looks to past ties with Trump and Biden for glimpses of the future
Tuesday's U.S. presidential election is being watched closely in Tokyo by those keen to anticipate its impact on the direction of bilateral relations in years to come.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 2, 2020
Osaka referendum defeat raises questions about future of city's politics
The focus for many in local political party Osaka Ishin no Kai is now on how — or even if — they can continue under a new generation of leadership.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 1, 2020
Osaka voters say no to merger. Again.
The referendum defeat dealt a heavy blow to the Osaka Ishin no Kai local political group, with Mayor Ichiro Matsui vowing to retire at the end of his term.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 28, 2020
Two LDP factions face uncertain future after losing race to Suga
The status of Shigeru Ishiba's group is up in the air, while Fumio Kishida is exploring mergers with other factions to bolster his chances of becoming prime minister.
JAPAN
Oct 25, 2020
U.N. nuke ban treaty to enter effect Jan. 22, heaping pressure on Japan to join
Tokyo has so far resisted domestic and international calls to join, saying a pact without the participation of nuclear powers was not practical.
JAPAN / Society / EXPLAINER
Oct 21, 2020
Japan looks to clamp down on illicit outflow of famous food products
Seeds being sold abroad without permission represents threat to intellectual property rights, but opposition says LDP's bill would simply hurt Japan's farmers.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 19, 2020
Could reform mission put Taro Kono on path to succeed Suga?
Driving reforms is giving the media- and social media-savvy 57-year-old the opportunity to raise his political profile by playing to his strengths. Will it be enough?
JAPAN / Politics / View from Osaka
Oct 17, 2020
Osaka merger would affect residents and outsiders alike
The planned move to merge the city's administrative wards could give officials more freedom to attract tourists and businesses.
JAPAN / Society / EXPLAINER
Oct 13, 2020
Controversy over bids to host nuclear waste highlights disposal issue
Two municipalities in Hokkaido have applied to the first stage of the process to build final disposal sites for nuclear waste, but the moves have prompted opposition.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Oct 13, 2020
Referendum a pivotal moment for Osaka and its politicians
On Nov. 1, the city's residents will be asked whether to merge Osaka's 24 wards into just four.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Oct 6, 2020
Suga's rejection of nominees to top advisory body prompts calls for reform
The way the council chooses its members has prompted criticism and calls for reform from supporters and opponents of Suga's decision.
JAPAN
Oct 1, 2020
Tourism sector balances hopes and concerns as Tokyo joins Go To Travel
While the capital is a major source of domestic tourism for many areas, it is also the source of about 30 percent of Japan's coronavirus cases.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Oct 1, 2020
COVID-19 presents crucial moment for gender diversity in Japan
With the pandemic changing the way we work, the International Conference for Women in Business says women must now be brought to the fore.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Sep 27, 2020
A closer look at the LDP lawmakers who support Suga
Yoshihide Suga became prime minister because he was able to secure the support of the most powerful formal faction leaders in the Liberal Democratic Party, whose members voted for him over rivals Fumio Kishida and Shigeru Ishiba, who also lead their own factions. But behind that support from top formal...
JAPAN / Politics / View from Osaka
Sep 19, 2020
Let the Suga-Nippon Ishin bromance begin
Osaka Mayor Ichiro Matsui and his supporters are breathing easy, knowing their favorite LDP politician is now the prime minister.
JAPAN / Politics / EXPLAINER
Sep 16, 2020
With Suga as Japan PM, what are the chances of a snap election?
Faced with a weak opposition, the LDP must weigh possible political gains against voter backlash for taking its eye off the COVID-19 pandemic.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 15, 2020
For Japan's new Constitutional Democratic Party, the hard work starts now
As the largest opposition party formally kicks off it faces no shortage of challenges, including corralling established figures not accustomed to being on the same side.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 11, 2020
Meet the ‘shadow shogun’ behind the making of Japan’s next prime minister
Yoshihide Suga's rise to pole position in the race to succeed Shinzo Abe is largely the making of political operator Toshihiro Nikai.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 10, 2020
Yukio Edano elected chief of new CDP, Japan’s top opposition party
In his acceptance speech, Edano called on the ruling coalition to hold an extraordinary Diet session this autumn, citing the need to discuss virus-related bills.
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.
Tokyo Film Festival opens with global stars and a spotlight on Asian storytelling
Director Junji Sakamoto (left) walked the Tokyo International Film Festival red carpet with Sayuri Yoshinaga (center) and Non (right), who both play mountaineer Junko Tabei, the first woman to summit Mount Everest, in the biopic "Climbing for Life."
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.

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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