author

 
 

Meta

Twitter

@SatoshiJournal

Satoshi Sugiyama
For Satoshi Sugiyama's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 9, 2022
ANA plans belt-tightening before fare hikes, says incoming CEO
Koji Shibata also said that the crisis in Ukraine is so far having a limited impact on the airline's earnings.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 7, 2022
Transport ministry raids Hino Motors over false emissions data
The company's shares plunged 17% after the raid, dropping by the maximum daily limit allowed under Tokyo exchange rules.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 2, 2022
Toyota to suspend Russian car production, vehicle imports
While Western companies have spurned Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, the response of many Japanese firms has been more muted.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 28, 2022
Toyota gears up its first BEV with safer and longer-lasting battery
Battery electric vehicles, or BEVs, typically take hours to charge, using quick-charging methods that often cause the battery's cells to heat up, leading to degradation.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jan 16, 2022
Kishida gears up for test of his mettle in parliament ahead of key election
Success for the prime minister depends on how well he oversees the passage of a record-breaking fiscal 2022 budget — all while tackling COVID-19 and fending off opposition challenges.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 3, 2022
How Kishida's political journey has shaped his views on China
The prime minister's factional background and time as foreign minister have influenced his thinking on Japan's neighbor and will play a role in determining what line he takes with Beijing.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / Outlook 2022
Dec 31, 2021
2022 will offer key tests of Kishida's ability to grow into PM role
An upcoming Upper House poll and the omicron variant are among the things that will test the prime minister's capacity to build on successes and lessons from 2021.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 24, 2021
Japan not planning to send senior officials to Beijing Olympics
In an attempt to strike a diplomatic balance in its relationships with both the U.S. and China, only Olympic officials will represent Japan at the Winter Games.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 15, 2021
Land ministry overstated construction orders data for years, potentially inflating Japan's GDP
The land ministry was 'rewriting' monthly data from about 12,000 select companies since 2013, at a pace of about 10,000 entries per year.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 13, 2021
Kishida reverses government’s position on cash handout
After weeks of a vacillating central government and frustrated local officials, the reversal raises questions about intraparty cooperation.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 6, 2021
In speech, Kishida lays out bold plans for health, economic and defense policies
The prime minister introduced an array of specifics, including details about booster shots, tax credits and national security.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Dec 5, 2021
Omicron threatens to blunt Kishida’s momentum as parliament session begins
Confusion over tough entry restrictions prompted by the new COVID-19 variant has thrown a wrench into the leader's plans while emboldening the opposition.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Nov 24, 2021
Japan makes landmark decision to tap oil stockpiles, but impact remains unclear
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Wednesday that the government would release some of its oil reserves in concert with the United States.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 10, 2021
Kishida's picks for top diplomat and rights adviser hint at striking balance on China
After just over a month in office, some experts say Kishida may be looking to moderate an increasingly hawkish approach to Tokyo's relationship with Beijing.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Nov 10, 2021
With momentum on his side, Kishida ready to roll out key policies on COVID-19 and economy
While Wednesday's legislative session to re-elect Kishida might have appeared to be ceremonial, one thing is clear: He is now on a much more solid footing within the LDP.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 4, 2021
LDP backs Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi for party’s No. 2 role
The choice of Motegi as secretary-general underscores Kishida's desire to stabilize his power base within the party, as the appointee is close to LDP power brokers Shinzo Abe and Taro Aso.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 1, 2021
The LDP won the Lower House election, but it has few reasons to celebrate
Despite achieving a strong majority of its own, high-profile upsets and a reduced ruling coalition seat count have taken the edge off victory.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 1, 2021
LDP secures comfortable majority in Lower House election
Ruling party suffers some high-profile losses, with Akira Amari poised to resign as secretary-general following a surprise defeat in his Kanagawa constituency.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 31, 2021
Voting in Japan's Lower House election kicks off in first test of Kishida’s popularity
All 465 seats — 289 single-member districts and 176 elected under proportional representation — will be contested, with the ruling bloc widely seen as maintaining a simple majority.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 29, 2021
Pre-election briefing: Here's where the parties stand on the issues
With everything from the pandemic to nuclear power weighing on voters' minds, there has been increased discussion about the direction that Japan should take.

Longform

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