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Masaaki Kameda
Masaaki Kameda is a staff writer for The Japan Times since April 2013, covering education and the metropolitan government. He previously worked for The Japan Times ST, a weekly paper for English learners. His interests include taking photographs and exercising.
For Masaaki Kameda's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 11, 2015
Ruling coalition reaches agreement on bills to expand SDF's role
The Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito reach agreement on legislation that would expand the scope of the Self-Defense Forces' activities overseas and expand the areas in which they can operate.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Apr 30, 2015
Sticker used to catch gropers red-handed is a hit with female commuters
A sticker created by Saitama Prefectural Police to deter gropers on trains has proved so popular among women that stocks have almost run out.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Apr 28, 2015
Defense cooperation guidelines with U.S. present new roles, risks for Japan
The new rules have divided security analysts in Japan, with some fearing the country could be dragged into a conflict overseas, presumably involving the U.S. military.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 22, 2015
South Korean ambassador says three terms crucial to Abe's WWII statement
South Korea's ambassador to Japan said Wednesday his country is closely watching whether the upcoming statement by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to mark 70 years since the end of World War II contains key terms such as "remorse" and "colonial rule."
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 21, 2015
Diet to get check on SDF missions abroad
The ruling bloc agrees to make Diet approval a precondition for every Self-Defense Forces mission abroad involving logistic support for foreign militaries.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Apr 20, 2015
'Sacred' but aging Tokyo sports district faces major redevelopment
Jingu Gaien, a historic sports venue in Tokyo, will undergo a major transformation in about a decade, in a move driven by the city's plan to host the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 17, 2015
LDP grills TV executives but denies use of pressure tactics
A Liberal Democratic Party panel conducts a closed-door meeting with NHK and TV Asahi executives to demand “explanations” about their troubles, raising suspicions of state intimidation.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 10, 2015
China at center of growing security risks in East Asia: defense paper
China's rapid military buildup and increasing assertiveness in the seas and skies made 2014 a "year of growing risks to security" in East Asia, the Defense Ministry's core policy arm said Friday in its annual report.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 8, 2015
U.S. defense chief says new guidelines will 'transform' U.S.-Japan alliance
Visiting U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Wednesday that updated bilateral defense cooperation guidelines will "transform the U.S.-Japan alliance" and enable the two countries' forces to "cooperate seamlessly" to respond to challenges around the world.
JAPAN
Apr 7, 2015
Japan's 'deep remorse' over war spelled out in Diplomatic Bluebook
Japan is actively contributing to world peace and stability based on the pledge of never waging war that grew out of "deep remorse" over World War II, according to the Foreign Ministry's diplomatic policy report for 2015, which was released Tuesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 27, 2015
Abe, Portugal's Passos Coelho agree to bolster business ties
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told visiting Portuguese Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho on Friday that shoring up ties with a country that plays central role in Portuguese-speaking nations around the world is in line with what he calls "diplomacy that takes a panoramic perspective of the world map."
JAPAN / Society
Mar 26, 2015
Number of reported child abductions down 'drastically' a year after Hague Convention
The Foreign Ministry says it has received 110 requests from parents seeking the return of a child or visitation access, nearly a year after the convention took effect in Japan.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 25, 2015
A stable Afghanistan crucial to region: Pakistan diplomat
Visiting Pakistani Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry stressed Wednesday that stability in neighboring Afghanistan is critical to peace in South Asia and called on the international community for continuous economic commitment to the war-torn country.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 24, 2015
Abe, New Zealand's Key vow TPP progress
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his New Zealand counterpart John Key pledged further cooperation Tuesday to wrap up the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations soon.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 23, 2015
Abe, Jokowi agree to stronger security, economic ties
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and visiting Indonesian President Joko Widodo pledge to strengthen relations between their two nations, committing to maritime stability and promoting investment in infrastructure development for the Southeast Asian nation.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 23, 2015
Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew was among 'greatest leaders,' Abe says
Japanese leaders pay tribute to the life and legacy of Singaporean senior statesman Lee Kuan Yew, with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe calling him 'one of the greatest leaders of modern times that Asia has produced.'
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 19, 2015
Michelle Obama, Akie Abe pledge bilateral effort for girls' education
Visiting U.S. first lady Michelle Obama and Akie Abe, wife of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, pledged Thursday to strengthen bilateral cooperation in helping girls around the world receive an education, especially in developing countries.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 18, 2015
Komeito agrees to permanent law on dispatch of SDF
The Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner have agreed in principle on a framework for security legislation to expand the scope of the Self-Defense Forces' activities.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 17, 2015
Foreign Ministry's 1969 China map identifies Senkaku Islands by Japanese name
The Foreign Ministry has published on its website a map released by a Chinese government organ in 1969 calling the disputed Senkaku Islands by their Japanese name.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 16, 2015
Ban urges Japan, China and S. Korea to engage in 'forward-looking' dialogue
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon calls on the leaders of Japan, China and South Korea to engage in a dialogue 'in a forward-looking manner' and lay the foundation for peace and reconciliation in the region.

Longform

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