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May 03, 2024
 

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Eric Johnston

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Eric Johnston
For Eric Johnston's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 21, 2023
China’s blanket testing for Japanese seafood affecting Japanese businesses
Seafood from five Japanese firms remains at Chinese customs, running the risk of a ¥100 million loss if they end up spoiling.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 19, 2023
China’s blanket radiation testing could spell trouble for Japanese seafood imports
The news comes ahead of Japan’s plan to begin releasing treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima No. 1 plant into the sea.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 7, 2023
Fukushima water release nears after OK from nuclear watchdog
The Nuclear Regulation Authority gave its stamp of approval to safety processes at Tepco's treated water release facilities, while Seoul also backed the safety of the water release.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Jul 7, 2023
With overseas pavilions not yet started, time is running out for Osaka Expo
Local officials are pressuring the central government to do more so the event meets what they admit is a very tight schedule for completion.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jul 5, 2023
Cracks in LDP faction once headed by Abe may deepen under group leadership
The inability of the new leaders to unite the faction makes it less powerful than its size would indicate.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 4, 2023
IAEA endorses Japan’s release of treated water from Fukushima plant
The organization’s safety assessment report concluded that the discharge of the treated water into the sea is “consistent with relevant international safety standards.”
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 30, 2023
EU envoy praises Hokkaido's 'smart approach' as leaders eye green opportunities
When Prime Minister Fumio Kishida travels to Brussels in July, renewable energy and a green transformation will be on the agenda as the two sides move to increase their cooperation.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 27, 2023
LDP and Komeito try to patch up differences with election deal
The two parties have agreed to endorse each other's candidates everywhere except Tokyo in the next general election.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 22, 2023
Kishida looks ahead amid speculation over Cabinet reshuffle and LDP leadership changes
Both moves, if made, would be aimed at boosting the prime minister's popularity and strengthening his position within the LDP ahead of an autumn parliament session.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 20, 2023
LDP power struggle in Yamaguchi shows waning influence of Abe faction
With Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi having been selected for the new No. 3 district, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's caucus has come out on top over the Abe faction.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 19, 2023
Sweden’s 2030 Winter Olympics bid a setback for Sapporo
Sapporo is expected to face pressure to consider officially dropping its bid amid lackluster local support.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 14, 2023
Could the LDP turn to Nippon Ishin amid friction with coalition partner Komeito?
Tensions with Komeito and policy compatibility with Nippon Ishin have some questioning whether the ruling party might shop around for a new coalition partner.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 12, 2023
Former LDP kingmaker Mikio Aoki dies at 89
Aoki, known as the “don of the Upper House” for his influence inside and outside the LDP, served as a lawmaker in the chamber between 1986 and 2010.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 8, 2023
How Japan ensures you gamble exactly when and where it wants you to
Laws on gambling mean that the activity is prohibited in general, except for betting on something that is legally defined as “momentary amusement,” or on government-sanctioned events.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jun 1, 2023
LDP-Komeito spat spotlights deeper problems in political marriage
That, in turn, has raised questions about the state of their more than 20-year-old coalition, and whether the two sides will take steps to initiate a divorce.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 27, 2023
Hokkaido bear attack shows need for better management of island's nearly 12,000 brown bears
The exact population of Hokkaido brown bears is difficult to pin down, but experts agree that the population at least doubled over the three-decade period between 1990 and 2020.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 25, 2023
LDP-Komeito clash over Tokyo candidate pick threatens broader rift
Wrangling over five new Lower House seats in Tokyo may be driving a wedge between the coalition partners.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
May 24, 2023
Japan's political parties prepare as talk of snap election heats up
While Prime Minister Fumio Kishida may or may not call a snap election now that the G7 summit is over, that uncertainty isn't stopping political parties from planning their next moves.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 22, 2023
South Korean nuclear experts to tour Fukushima plant amid water concerns
During their tour of the crippled plant, the experts will pay particular attention to Japan’s plans to discharge treated water, currently being stored at the facility, into the ocean.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 21, 2023
Embrace of LNG by G7 a setback for climate goals, experts warn
One expert put the blame on Japan, particularly for what she called a lack of a sense of urgency about the climate crisis on the part of the Japanese government.
Weak yen fattens tourist wallets in Japan
People visit the Ameya Yokocho market in Tokyo's Ueno district during the Golden Week holiday on Tuesday.
Biden calls ally Japan ‘xenophobic’ along with rivals China and Russia
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks in Syracuse, New York, on April 25.
Number of vacant homes in Japan hits record high of 9 million
A vacant house in Tokyo is seen demolished in January 2020.
Saudi Arabia steps up Gaza-related arrests as Israel ties edge closer
The arrests for Gaza-related posts indicate Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s regime will take a hard line against citizens not toeing the line when it comes to normalizing ties with Israel.
'So hot you can't breathe': Extreme heat hits the Philippines
A pedestrian cools himself with a folding hand fan as he waits for a ride along a road in Manila on Wednesday, as extreme heat hit the Philippines.
Kishida sets sights on energy and climate in South America trip
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will use a policy speech in Sao Paulo to set out his vision for ties between Japan and South America, almost 10 years after former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe advocated for stronger ties between the two in the same city.
Yellow sand allergy: A health issue made worse by climate change
A screenshot of the Meteorological Agency's satellite image of clouds and yellow sand (in pink) on Sunday.
Climate change, chalky grains and the risks for Japan’s rice farmers
A farmer plants seedlings in Satsumasendai, Kagoshima Prefecture. Japan’s self sufficiency rate for rice is nearly 100%, compared with 38% for food overall, on a calorie basis.
Japan wants you to spend more with ‘luxury tourism’
Performers play a traditional drum unique to Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, in the prefectural capital of Kanazawa on March 16 to mark the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line to Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture.

Podcast

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.
[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

Longform

When trying to trace your lineage in Japan, the "koseki" is the most important form of document you'll encounter.
Climbing the branches of a Japanese family tree
By Alex K.T. Martin

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