author

 
Menu
Search
 
May 20, 2024
 

Today's print edition

Home Delivery
Subscribe for more access
Alex K.T. Martin

Meta

Alex K.T. Martin
Alex K.T. Martin is a Tokyo-based journalist and senior writer at The Japan Times, primarily focusing on feature stories. Previously he was a Tokyo correspondent for The Wall Street Journal.
For Alex K.T. Martin's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
JAPAN
Oct 8, 2009
DPJ musn't lose reform momentum: Okada
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada cast a positive light Thursday on the pace of reform in the Democratic Party of Japan's first three weeks in power and said he expected the party to continue implementing change right up to the next general election.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 3, 2009
Oshima lays out LDP's comeback fundamentals
Tadamori Oshima, the newly appointed secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party, said Friday that regaining the public's trust will require concrete policies and a clear, new vision of what the party stands for.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 30, 2009
Tanigaki opts for old guard to round out LDP leadership posts
Sadakazu Tanigaki, fresh off his election as president of the Liberal Democratic Party, chose veteran lawmakers Tuesday for the party's top posts, including former agriculture minister Tadamori Oshima as his No. 2 man.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Sep 29, 2009
Murakami: Titan of postwar literature
Haruki Murakami is probably the most internationally acclaimed and influential contemporary Japanese author alive today. Over a career spanning 30 years, he has illustrated the apathy and ennui enveloping postwar Japan through sometimes wildly fantastic storytelling with surreal twists and turns, sprinkled...
Japan Times
JAPAN / CABINET INTERVIEW
Sep 28, 2009
Fukushima faces major consumer affairs challenge
Mizuho Fukushima, the new state minister in charge of consumer affairs and reversing the low birthrate, said her job is to prioritize policies that directly affect the public's livelihood and to make sure the new Consumer Affairs Agency is effective.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 17, 2009
Bureaucratic reform first hurdle
After a historic landslide victory in the Aug. 30 election, a new Cabinet was launched Wednesday, led by Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's Democratic Party of Japan.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 8, 2009
DPJ seeks coalition balancing act
With a little more than a week to go before Democratic Party of Japan President Yukio Hatoyama is elected prime minister, media attention is focused on whether the DPJ will be able to create a unified policymaking system while building a stable relationship with two smaller allies.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 5, 2009
Hirano not known as high profile
Hirofumi Hirano, a close aide to Democratic Party of Japan President Yukio Hatoyama and the likely chief Cabinet secretary in the incoming DPJ administration, is known as a man of few words who would rather work behind-the-scenes than in the spotlight.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 2, 2009
'Distorted' in translation?
An opinion piece by Democratic Party of Japan President Yukio Hatoyama published in The New York Times has drawn flak in America over its apparent antiglobalization bent, prompting the presumptive prime minister to argue portions of his essay were "distorted" in translation.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Aug 31, 2009
Historic sea change at polls product of frustrated public
For better or worse, history has been made.
JAPAN / Q&A
Aug 19, 2009
Ultimately, it all comes down to numbers
All signs seem to indicate Prime Minister Taro Aso and his Liberal Democratic Party-New Komeito ruling coalition face a tough battle in trying to hold onto their Lower House majority in the Aug. 30 election.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 18, 2009
Classics' artsy paperback jacket makeovers a hit
A young "idol" with paperback in hand standing in a high school classroom isn't what one would expect to see on the cover of Natsume Soseki's literary classic "Botchan."
Japan Times
JAPAN / ELECTION 2009
Aug 15, 2009
Civil servants uneasy as DPJ plots change in power game
When vice farm minister Michio Ide in June criticized the Democratic Party of Japan's plans to subsidize farmers' income as unrealistic, DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama quickly fired back.
JAPAN
Aug 8, 2009
New Party Nippon pledges 'basic income' for all
Minor opposition party New Party Nippon unveiled its campaign platform Friday, promising several major policies, including the enactment of a monthly "basic income" allowance for all citizens and a re-examination of all public-works projects to cut down on wasteful spending.
Japan Times
JAPAN / PARTY POWERS
Aug 1, 2009
Hatoyama disses LDP but is otherwise vague
With the pivotal Aug. 30 election looming, Democratic Party of Japan President Yukio Hatoyama said Friday the upcoming Lower House battle will offer the public an opportunity to hand down its judgment on the past four years of Liberal Democratic Party rule.
Japan Times
JAPAN / PARTY POWERS
Jul 29, 2009
Shii says JCP will play loyal opposition role
Japanese Communist Party President Kazuo Shii said Tuesday that if the Democratic Party of Japan takes control of the Lower House his party intends to be a "constructive opposition party" that will cooperate when policies overlap but will remain a vocal critic on points of disagreement.
JAPAN
Jul 28, 2009
DPJ platform vows to weaken bureaucrats
With a month to go before the Aug. 30 election, the Democratic Party of Japan unveiled its campaign platform Monday, featuring five main principles centering on a government led by politicians rather than bureaucrats.
JAPAN
Jul 25, 2009
DPJ's Asao to go independent
Upper House lawmaker Keiichiro Asao said Friday he will leave the Democratic Party of Japan to run as an independent in Kanagawa's No. 4 district, where the party has already fielded a candidate of its own in the Aug. 30 Lower House election.
Japan Times
JAPAN / PARTY POWERS
Jul 23, 2009
SDP's Fukushima plays up differences with DPJ
With the campaign kicking off soon for the Aug. 30 election, Social Democratic Party President Mizuho Fukushima said Wednesday her party intends to appeal to voters by upholding its long-held positions — even if this keeps the SDP from joining a ruling bloc with the predicted winner, the Democratic...
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jul 14, 2009
For Hatoyamas, politics is considered birthright
Often compared to the Kennedy family for the impressive list of lawmakers and scholars hailing from its ranks, the Hatoyama clan is one of the nation's most prominent political dynasties.
America wasn’t made for walking, and it’s killing them
A 2010 study found that U.S. adults averaged 5,117 steps daily and that this was lower than the averages found in similar studies in Switzerland, western Australia and Japan.
Rare sequel to 'My Neighbor Totoro' to play at Cannes
A screening of "Mei and the Baby Cat Bus," which is being billed as a "mini-sequel" to the Studio Ghibli classic "My Neighbor Totoro," is set to take place at the Cannes Film Festival on Monday.
Japanese stripper bids to have her porn movies taken off internet
Plaintiff Miyuki Ariga (left) speaks at a news conference along with her lawyer, Yoshitomo Morohashi, after filing a lawsuit at the Tokyo District Court on Monday.
Saudi crown prince seeks soft power in game hub Japan
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomes Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, last July.
Japan survey finds 30% of student interns experience sexual harassment
The proportion of recent graduates in Japan who have worked as interns have experienced sexual harassment during their internship was 30.1%, according to a labor ministry survey, up 4.6 percentage points from the previous survey in fiscal 2020.
Seoul's eclectic Art OnO shines light on Japan's artists and galleries
Art OnO, which took place from April 19 to 21 in Seoul, featured a modest number of 36 participating galleries from 15 countries.
Want to be a voice actor? Stay 'true to the character'
SungWon Cho is a veteran with more than 10 years of experience portraying characters in anime, cartoons and video games.
Local theater in Japan is more than a hobby — it’s a community
Japan Times contributor Laura Pollacco (front right) was offered the role of one of her all-time favorite heroines, Elizabeth “Lizzie” Bennet, in the Tokyo International Players’ production of “Pride and Prejudice.”
Can AI-generated inventions be patented? A Tokyo court says no.
The Tokyo court's ruling comes amid ongoing debates on how to regulate generative AI and is part of a transnational class action lawsuit.
Massimo Bottura: 'The Japanese let ingredients express themselves'
Italian chef and restaurateur Massimo Bottura is increasingly focusing on passing on his knowledge to chefs such as Antonio Iacoviello.

Podcast

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

Longform

Things may look perfect to the outside world, but today's mom is fine with some imperfection at home.
How 'Reiwa moms' are reshaping motherhood in Japan
By Mai Yoshikawa

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Live like a lord or lady for a night at Ozu Castle
Live like a lord or lady for a night at Ozu Castle

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

Read more

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER