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Satoshi Sugiyama
For Satoshi Sugiyama's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Sep 4, 2021
Suga's abrupt exit throws LDP race wide open
With Suga's withdrawal from the race, a significant obstacle has been removed for leading LDP hopefuls to enter the contest.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 4, 2021
Suga visits hospital for 'medical checkup'
The visit comes a day after the prime minister's stunning announcement that he will step down from his post.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 2, 2021
LDP leadership fight intensifies as Suga rival outlines COVID-19 plans
The former foreign minister backs enhanced PCR testing and electronic 'vaccine passports,' among other measures, while Suga is looking to tap the popularity of Japan's environment minister.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Sep 1, 2021
Suga denies plan to dissolve Diet and postpone LDP leadership race
Oct. 17 is now viewed as the likeliest election day, as it could go ahead without disrupting the LDP vote or creating a political vacuum by shortening lawmakers' terms.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Aug 31, 2021
Suga locks up LDP support and tames party rival with shakeup plan
In pushing Secretary-General Toshiro Nikai toward the exit, Suga has bolstered his support base and punctured ex-Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida's momentum ahead of an LDP leadership poll.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 26, 2021
Fumio Kishida enters LDP leadership race as party sets voting plan
The former foreign minister has some advantages over potential candidates, but he would need the backing of Shinzo Abe and Taro Aso to stand a real chance.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Aug 25, 2021
As his appeal wanes, can Suga be more than a caretaker prime minister?
Setbacks in by-elections, a lack of a political boost from the Olympics and criticism of his demeanor have put Suga on the back foot as he heads into an LDP presidential race.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Explainer
Aug 6, 2021
Japan changed its COVID-19 hospitalization policy: Here's what you need to know
Ambiguous statements by Suga created confusion around the policy shift, with the prime minister forced to clarify the situation following a backlash.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 5, 2021
Explosive COVID-19 surge rekindles debate over lockdowns in Japan
The idea of harsher restrictions and penalties has become a political football, with conservatives arguing constitutional revision is needed to enhance the government's powers.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Aug 1, 2021
Surging cases and virus fatigue upend Suga bid to shift public's focus
The administration's attempt to persuade people to look past the daily caseloads and treat COVID-19 as more of a seasonal infectious disease has hit a wall as cases surge.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 30, 2021
Japan's emergency expanded even as measure loses impact and support
With the latest measure, the Suga administration, well aware of the public's virus fatigue, wants to buy time to vaccinate as many people as possible to push cases downwards.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 23, 2021
As the Games begin, how is Japan dealing with COVID-19?
Although Japan is catching up to Western nations in the vaccine rollout, the more contagious delta variant and increased foot traffic is being blamed for driving up the number of new cases.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Jul 20, 2021
Moon’s Olympic absence points to protracted stalemate with Japan
Tokyo had been lukewarm on a visit, as it did not expect the South Korean president to propose solutions to festering grievances over historical, political and economic issues.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 19, 2021
South Korea’s Moon scraps plan to visit Tokyo for Olympics
Plans to hold the first in-person summit between the leaders of Japan and South Korea had hit a snag over a disparaging comment by a Japanese diplomat about the South Korean president.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Jul 12, 2021
Politics trumps science in Japan COVID-19 emergency
The government had calculated that the political fallout from not declaring it would outweigh the merits of keeping the status quo.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jul 5, 2021
Underwhelming Tokyo result offers LDP a warning for general election
Many Tokyoites are voters without party affiliation, and their vote is often a reflection of broader public sentiment.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 28, 2021
LDP's infighting tests Suga and party unity ahead of election season
The fight is manifesting itself in a number of recently formed Diet groups, with the two sides vying to install as many of their faction members as possible to LDP executive posts.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 17, 2021
Japan aims to issue vaccination passports by end of July for overseas travel
The documents will include the holder's date of inoculation and the manufacturer of the shot they received and will be available both in English and Japanese.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 16, 2021
Suga's policy wins overshadowed by COVID-19 as Diet session wraps up
Without the pandemic, the prime minister would have enough achievements under his belt to be untroubled by a forthcoming LDP leadership contest and general election.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 15, 2021
No-confidence motion against Suga's Cabinet voted down at Japan's Diet
The motion was submitted after the ruling coalition rejected opposition calls for the current regular Diet session to be extended.

Longform

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