Junko Takahashi - The Japan Times

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Junko Takahashi

For Junko Takahashi's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

JAPAN

Mar 21, 2003

Koizumi cites security in backing attack

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi emphasized the importance of Japan's alliance with the United States on Thursday as he voiced support for the U.S.-led attack on Iraq less than two hours after the operation began.

JAPAN

Mar 20, 2003

Tokyo may kill Pyongyang deal

Japan may abandon a bilateral declaration signed in September with North Korea if Pyongyang continues its provocative missile tests and nuclear program, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda said Wednesday.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Mar 19, 2003

Koizumi unequivocal on Iraq war

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi expressed unequivocal support Tuesday for U.S. plans to forcibly disarm Iraq.

JAPAN

Mar 15, 2003

Public opinion disregarded on Iraq

The government appears to be disregarding public opinion here and siding with American sentiment in shaping Tokyo's stance toward a possible U.S.-led war on Iraq.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Mar 15, 2003

Decontrols to bring in more foreign doctors

Life in Japan as a foreigner is not always easy, especially if you become sick and don't speak the same language as your doctor.

JAPAN

Mar 14, 2003

Government silent on Pyongyang missile reports

Government officials refused to comment Thursday on reports that Pyongyang may be preparing to launch a Nodong ballistic missile, which can strike almost anywhere in Japan.

JAPAN

Mar 14, 2003

Koizumi stays coy on Iraq standoff strategy

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi kept his cards close to his vest over the Iraq standoff Thursday, despite opposition leaders' criticism of his support for a U.S.-backed U.N. resolution on the matter.

JAPAN

Mar 11, 2003

Pyongyang fires another missile

North Korea fired a ground-to-ship missile into the Sea of Japan on Monday -- the second such launch in two weeks -- in what appeared to be further provocation aimed at gaining Washington's attention.

JAPAN

Mar 8, 2003

Revised personal info bills win approval

The government approved a set of bills Friday for protecting personal information, paving the way for them to clear the current Diet session, after making major revisions to avert criticism that the legislation would restrict freedom of the press.

BUSINESS

Mar 8, 2003

Deflation hardliner named as special Cabinet adviser

Haruhiko Kuroda, former vice finance minister for international affairs and an advocate of radical monetary-easing measures by the Bank of Japan, was appointed Friday as a special adviser to the Cabinet.

JAPAN

Mar 6, 2003

Koizumi turns on majority opposing war

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, after relying heavily on public support for his political power base, is now turning against the majority of Japanese, who oppose a war against Iraq.

JAPAN

Mar 4, 2003

Japan 'helpless' against missiles

Japan has no effective means of protecting its citizens in the event of a ballistic missile attack by North Korea, Defense Agency chief Shigeru Ishiba said Monday.

JAPAN

Mar 1, 2003

Japan to rethink KEDO program

Japan is reconsidering its commitment to building light-water nuclear reactors in North Korea now that Pyongyang has reactivated nuclear facilities linked to its weapons development program in violation of a 1994 accord.

JAPAN

Jan 18, 2003

New Diet session opens up new questions

The Diet opens a 150-day session Monday amid widespread speculation in Nagata-cho that Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi may dissolve the House of Representatives and call a snap election sometime this year -- possibly even during the session.

Japan Times

BUSINESS

Oct 20, 2002

Personality professional tells young women to break mold

For Akiko Shimizu, director of the John Robert Powers School, getting the best out of her young students is not just her job, but a way to make herself more attractive.

BUSINESS

Sep 19, 2002

Kim's calculated gamble to open up is born of desperation

PYONGYANG -- Even at the Koryo Hotel, one of the most luxurious accommodations for foreign visitors in Pyongyang, the energy shortage was apparent.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Sep 18, 2002

Kim admits abductions

PYONGYANG -- Four of the 11 Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and '80s are alive but six others are dead, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il told Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi during their landmark talks on Tuesday.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Sep 14, 2002

Pyongyang summit light at end of tunnel?

When Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi engages in his historic summit in Pyongyang next Tuesday, he will have two major goals: learning the fate of the Japanese believed to have been abducted to North Korea, and setting the stage for the resumption of security dialogue between Pyongyang and Washington.

Japan Times

JAPAN / LEGACIES OF 9/11

Sep 5, 2002

Post-9/11 aid push highlights Japan ODA conundrum

In the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, the world's major donor economies have increased their aid budgets in an effort to address a perceived link between terrorism and poverty.

Japan Times

JAPAN / LEGACIES OF 9/11

Sep 4, 2002

Iraq issue casts shadow on post-9/11 solidarity

After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, two things crossed the mind of Shotaro Yachi of the Foreign Ministry: Japan must join the international community in condemning the acts, and must do everything possible to help the anticipated U.S. military response.

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

Rows of irises resemble a rice field at the Peter Walker-designed Toyota Municipal Museum of Art.

The 'outsiders' creating some of Japan's greenest spaces

By Stephen Mansfield

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

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