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Eric Johnston

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Eric Johnston
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 1, 2019
All eyes on LDP factions as Abe plots Cabinet shake-up for final term
With Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expected to reshuffle his Cabinet later this month, attention is turning to who might get what posts, and from which Liberal Democratic Party factions any new ministers might be from.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Aug 26, 2019
Inventor Boyan Slat's mission: Shrink Great Pacific Garbage patch 90% by 2040
Boyan Slat, 25, is an ambitious social entrepreneur. His goal: Reduce 90 percent of an estimated 80 million kg of plastic waste in the Pacific Ocean, covering an area more than three times the size of France, by 2040. And do it with a technology he likens to raking leaves.
JAPAN
Aug 23, 2019
Japan's UNESCO sites struggle to cultivate cultural cachet while keeping urban bustle at bay
An observation deck on the 21st floor of Osaka's Sakai City Hall provides visitors with a bird's-eye view of the surrounding area. In the midst of the urban jungle a few kilometers away, a large patch of greenery in the distance looks out of place amid the sea of modern buildings, like a public park...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 22, 2019
Japan and G7 peers brace for fractious summit in France
Japanese media outlets had reported that this year's G7 was unlikely to issue a joint statement for the first time in its history.
Japan Times
JAPAN / View from Osaka
Aug 17, 2019
For Kyoto, international meeting of museum directors and creators is an opportunity to learn
From Sept. 1 to 7, Kyoto will host thousands of museum directors, curators and art historians from Japan and around the world for the general assembly meeting of the Paris-based International Council of Museums (ICOM).
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 9, 2019
Casino resort frontrunner MGM says winning and building Osaka facility by 2025 is tough but doable
Over the next few months, the government is expected to debate the structure of a new regulatory committee that will oversee so-called integrated resort complexes containing casinos and draft a basic policy specifying the selection criteria for such facilities.
JAPAN
Aug 9, 2019
Shizuoka throws wrench in the works of Tokyo-Nagoya maglev shinkansen route
The current plan for the Tokyo-Nagoya maglev route, currently under construction, calls for Central Japan Railway Co. to begin operations by around 2027. The route will slash a trip between Nagoya and Shinagawa, which takes about 90 minutes on the fastest bullet trains today, to just 40 minutes.
JAPAN
Aug 9, 2019
Is Nara's future tied to a proposed maglev shinkansen route?
Although Nara has become a favorite of international tourists in recent years, the city, which served as the nation's ancient capital from 710 to 784, has historically been a bit off the beaten path.
JAPAN / Beyond Tokyo
Jul 26, 2019
In pursuit of a sustainable society, Nagano turns to AI to help craft policy
When times are good, there is less political pressure at the local level anywhere to be economically efficient or carefully scrutinize predictions that a new public works project or expensive industrial or tourism promotion scheme will lead to prosperity in 20 or 30 years.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jul 22, 2019
Abe's push to amend Japan's Constitution faces uncertain future after Upper House vote
Undaunted by the failure to capture a two-thirds supermajority in the upper chamber, Abe pushes on with his goal to rewrite the charter, with an eye on Article 9.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jul 21, 2019
After Upper House election, ruling bloc bets political cost of tax hike will be limited
The hike is expected to generate an additional u00a55.7 trillion in annual revenue, of which u00a52.8 trillion will be used to defray the national debt.
Japan Times
JAPAN / View from Osaka
Jul 20, 2019
Four Kansai issues stirring up Upper House election
While the sensitive issue of constitutional revision and the looming consumption tax hike to 10 percent in October dominate media discussion of what's important in the Upper House election Sunday, there are other problems and issues, some especially acute in the Kansai region, that shouldn't be forgotten....
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 17, 2019
Ahead of Upper House vote, Komeito and Abe remain apart on revision of pacifist Constitution
While Prime Minister Abe touts constitutional revision as the focal point of Sunday's election, that topic is conspicuously absent from campaign speeches by the LDP's coalition partner, Komeito.
JAPAN / Beyond Tokyo
Jul 5, 2019
After G20 role, Nagano resort town of Karuizawa looks to lead way in green tech and energy
The Nagano Prefecture resort town of Karuizawa has long been associated with green, natural energy.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Jun 30, 2019
G20 world leaders agree on some issues, but significant gaps remain following Osaka summit
World leaders attending the Group of 20 summit in Osaka reached consensus on a number of topics but failed to come to an agreement on others.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 29, 2019
G20 leaders make progress on trade and investment in Osaka; members minus the U.S. reaffirm Paris climate goals
The Group of 20 summit concludes with promises to work toward trade and investment that is free, fair, nondiscriminatory, transparent, predictable, stable and for open markets.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 28, 2019
Tensions simmer at G20 summit in Osaka over trade and climate change
As host, Japan begins the task of forging agreements on climate change, protectionism and multilateral forums like the Group of 20 itself as dozens of leaders converge on Osaka.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 27, 2019
Hong Kong extradition opponents in Osaka protest legislation ahead of G20, asking for U.K. and U.S. help
About 40 Hong Kong residents and Japanese gathered Thursday evening in central Osaka to protest extradition legislation that would allow Hong Kong residents to be sent to mainland China to face trial.
Japan Times
JAPAN / G20 Osaka Summit Special
Jun 27, 2019
G20 host has work cut out for it in creating consensus
One of the largest and most important gatherings of world leaders outside the U.N. General Assembly — the Group of 20 Leaders' Summit — arrives in Japan for the first time ever this week, bringing with it over 30 presidents, prime ministers and leaders from international organizations.
Japan Times
JAPAN / G20 Osaka Summit Special
Jun 27, 2019
Japan weighs strategy after shocking climate report
In October 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a report that sent shock waves around the globe. The world's leading body of climate scientists warned that there might be only 12 years left to ensure global warming is kept to a rise of 1.5 degrees Celsius. Beyond that,...
Japan to experience blood moon lunar eclipse on Monday
A blood moon is seen during a partial eclipse in the sky over Lake George near Canberra on March 14.
‘Confugenics’ and East Asia's demographic crisis
East Asia’s fertility plunge is driven not just by financial costs but by perfectionist cultural expectations that burden parents with intense educational and social demands.
Japan prince comes of age as succession crisis looms
Prince Hisahito concludes his elaborate "kakan no gi" coming-of-age ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Saturday.
Ishiba to quit as prime minister amid LDP discontent
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announces his decision to step down, at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Sunday.
Bangladesh is a South Asian time bomb
Many Bangladeshis hoped that the overthrow of long-time leader Sheikh Hasina last year would revitalize the country’s democracy after an authoritarian lurch under the “iron lady.” Instead it has led to proliferating human-rights abuses, intensifying repression and widespread Islamist violence.
In rural Hokkaido, the stops and starts of tourism revival on full display
Redevelopment plans for Kawayu Onsen have hit some snags — an example of how bringing tourists back to declining rural communities is far from easy work.
London’s calling and sumo’s top division — along with Hello Kitty — are ready to answer
Yokozuna Hoshoryu and Hello Kitty, an ambassador for sumo's upcoming tour to London, at Tokyo's Kokugikan on Tuesday
Resonac creates 27-member consortium to pursue advanced chip developments
Representatives from member companies of JOINT3, a consortium working together on semiconductor-related developments announced by Resonac, pose for a photo in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Haru Nemuri’s radical new album refuses easy listening
Musician Haruna Kimishima, better known as Haru Nemuri, confronts Japan’s politics, nationalism and censorship on her recent output.
Overseas sluggers step up to bat in small-town Hokkaido
The Betsukai Pilot Spirits welcomed new players (left to right) Yuta Yamanaka, Roman Guthrie, Scott Bellina and Leo Jiminian this year, pictured here with Yassir Lachkar of the Ishikari Red Phoenix.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Tetsuzo Shiraishi, speaking at The Center of the Tokyo Raids and War Damage, uses a thermos to explain how he experienced the U.S. firebombing of March 1945, when he was just 7 years old.
From ashes to high-rises: A survivor’s account of Tokyo’s postwar past
By Alex K.T. Martin

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