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Reiji Yoshida

Reiji Yoshida is a staff writer and deputy manager of the Domestic News Division. Since joining The Japan Times in 1993, he has intensively covered domestic politics, diplomacy and defense issues as well as the 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis.

For Reiji Yoshida's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

JAPAN

Aug 13, 1998

Kanagawa gives foreign residents stronger voice

YOKOHAMA -- To better reflect the opinions of Kanagawa Prefecture's growing foreign population, which has more than doubled over the past decade, officials have followed other localities in creating an advisory panel to the governor.

JAPAN

Jul 27, 1998

Will Windows 98 spur PC revival?

The Akihabara district of Tokyo, famous for its abundance of electronics shops, once again was in an uproar in the middle of the night.

JAPAN

May 22, 1998

J. League contender Tokyo Gas bent on survival

As dwindling attendance figures raise concerns over the future of Japan's only professional soccer league, one local Tokyo team busily preparing to join the new second division of the J. League next year is hoping that careful management will ensure its success.

JAPAN

Mar 12, 1998

Justsystem, Microsoft ready to slug it out over Kanji software

It's time for a showdown.

JAPAN

Jan 5, 1998

Aoshima wants foreign panel's views, not politics

Staff writerThe foreign residents' council recently launched in Tokyo should not be political, but it will be a valuable source of foreigners' opinions for the governor, Yukio Aoshima said in a New Year's interview."I don't want the council to have a political meaning," the Tokyo governor said. "It is a body (for the governor) to listen to opinions or requests, and I would prefer that it avoid making decisions or resolutions."Last November, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government established the 25-member panel of non-Japanese residents to reflect foreigners' viewpoints in local government policies. The council is technically a private body for the governor and has no binding authority, which has made some council members skeptical about its influence.Regarding possible changes to give the panel authority, Aoshima said he will see how the body proceeds for the time being. It was made clear from the beginning that the group was not set up to make political decisions, Aoshima added in the interview, in which he reviewed the past year.In addition to the launch of the council, another landmark event of 1997 that could affect lives of foreign residents in Tokyo was a ruling by the Tokyo High Court that the metropolitan government should not exclude foreigners from general clerical positions that do not require public decision-making.According to the court, positions involving public decision-making should be limited to Japanese, while those that do not should be opened to foreign residents. The governor appealed the high court's decision to the Supreme Court, arguing it would be extremely difficult to identify positions that do not involve use of public power or decision-making."At the metropolitan government, many officials are transferred to a variety of positions to increase their experience and competency," Aoshima said. "It's easy to say, but it's very difficult to carry out" the classification of positions, he said.Asked what his priority in 1998 is, the governor repeated last year's answer: to continue endeavoring to make the megalopolis an "eco-friendly society" where resources are recycled. As an example, Aoshima cited a deposit-refund system for beverage containers that would provide consumers refunds when they bring the containers to a collector.

JAPAN

Oct 9, 1997

Digital cameras shaking up photo industry

Digital technology is evolving and product prices are declining at such stunning clips that hardly any new industry developments evoke surprise.

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

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

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Vol. 35: Travel in time — and stay there

Vol. 35: Travel in time — and stay there

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