Sakura Murakami - The Japan Times

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Sakura Murakami

Reuters

JAPAN / Politics

Nov 20, 2018

Japan's ruling bloc votes down motion to remove head of judiciary committee amid clash over immigration bill

In the latest political clash over a controversial immigration bill, the ruling parties on Tuesday voted down a motion calling for the dismissal of the head of the Lower House's judiciary committee.

JAPAN / FOCUS

Nov 19, 2018

Wrangling over planned shake-up of Japan's immigration control law intensifies after government admits to data errors

A ruckus in the Diet over erroneous statistics leaves the government's Dec. 10 deadline for passage of new legislation in doubt.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Politics

Nov 14, 2018

More than 345,000 foreign workers predicted to come to Japan under new visas: government

Some 345,000 blue-collar foreign workers may join the workforce through the first five years of a new working visa system set to be introduced in April — if it wins Diet approval.

Japan Times

PODCAST / deep dive

Nov 14, 2018

Episode 1: Dual nationality in Japan

Japan's Nationality Act forces young adults with multiple citizenships to choose their nationality by their 22nd birthday. The choice is so tough that many flout the law and instead choose to live in a legal gray zone. Oscar Boyd is joined by Japan Times staff writers Sakura Murakami and Cory Baird to...

JAPAN / Politics

Nov 14, 2018

Abe says government will set 'cap' on number of foreign workers under new visa types

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Tuesday that the government will soon reveal estimates of worker shortages that will effectively function as a cap on the number of foreign workers to be admitted under a new visa system currently being deliberated by the Diet.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Politics

Nov 7, 2018

With GOP's loss of House, should Japan anticipate a more hard-line Trump?

Tokyo may see President Donald Trump accelerate his war on what he considers “unfair” trade, as he seeks ways to fire up his political base.

JAPAN

Nov 2, 2018

Japan's Cabinet approves bill to introduce new visa categories for foreign workers, to address shrinking workforce

The bill marks a departure from previous policy in allowing foreign individuals to work in blue collar industries for a potentially indefinite amount of time.

JAPAN / Politics

Oct 30, 2018

Liberal Democratic Party's General Council approves draft immigration control bill despite members' concerns

The Liberal Democratic Party's General Council approved on Tuesday a government-drafted bill on immigration control, which will introduce new visa statuses for blue-collar and skilled workers, despite concerns within the party over whether the country can properly handle the possible influx of workers...

JAPAN

Oct 29, 2018

Awareness of Aichi Biodiversity Targets found to be lacking compared to climate change

The global community has less than two years to reach the Aichi Biodiversity Targets set for 2020, yet public awareness of biodiversity issues is still relatively low.

JAPAN / Politics

Oct 23, 2018

Scandals, immigration and constitutional reform set to dominate extraordinary Diet session opening Wednesday

The 48-day session is likely to include debates on a draft proposal from the ruling LDP to revise the war-renouncing Constitution, among other key issues.

Japan Times

JAPAN / EXPLAINER

Oct 22, 2018

Can Tokyo's new Toyosu market live up to the Tsukiji brand?

The Toyosu wholesale market opened its doors for the first time earlier this month after relocating from Tsukiji, where it was famed for being one of the largest seafood and fish markets in the world and for catering to the finest restaurants in Tokyo.

JAPAN

Oct 13, 2018

Tokyo's Toyosu market opens doors to eager public

The Toyosu wholesale food market opened its doors to the public for the first time Saturday, allowing tourists to wander the massive complex, browse exhibits and dine at some of the famous restaurants that relocated from the Tsukiji district last week.

JAPAN

Oct 11, 2018

Officials express optimism as Tokyo's Toyosu market opens doors for first time since Tsukiji closure

The noisy clanging of bells that had once sounded at the famed Tsukiji market marked the first tuna auction for fishmongers at the Toyosu wholesale market Thursday at a newly built facility in Tokyo’s Koto Ward.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Oct 6, 2018

History on ice: Workers and tourists say 'sayonara' to Tokyo's Tsukiji market

With scores of plump tuna lining the floor, auctioneers rhythmically called out prices and bidders signaled with their hands. It was before daybreak, and the Tsukiji fish market looked like it was starting a normal business day.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Sep 19, 2018

What does Japan's Nationality Act really mean for its dual citizens?

Given the present 'don't ask, don't tell' attitude of the Justice Ministry, it would be highly unusual if Naomi Osaka was forced to relinquish her U.S. citizenship at the age of 22.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Sep 19, 2018

New app identifies underwater creatures at Japan aquariums with the tap of a finger

Ever struggled to identify the name of a fish when visiting an aquarium?

Japan Times

JAPAN / Society / Deep Dive

Sep 18, 2018

Japan's 'danchi': Public housing blocks highlight the complexity of interculturalism

Stroll through Shibazono Danchi in Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture, on a weekend and you will find children shrieking with glee. They run across its communal playground or splash about in the fountain of the public housing complex as elderly residents enjoy leisurely walks in the background. Apartment...

Japan Times

JAPAN

Sep 3, 2018

Online map plots the many spots that boast a view of Mount Fuji

The Japan Map Center on Monday released an online guide to locations where Mount Fuji can be viewed, showing that the nation's renowned 3,776-meter volcano can be observed from as far as 300 km away.

JAPAN

Aug 31, 2018

Justice Ministry to enforce rule designating number of weeks Japanese-language schools must be in session

The measure is intended to ensure that students who enter Japan to learn the language do not spend the majority of their stay working.

JAPAN / Politics

Aug 28, 2018

Japan will overhaul Immigration Bureau to create agency for expected surge of blue-collar workers under new status

The move comes as the government seeks to accept more foreign workers and introduce a new status of residence amid a serious labor crunch.

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Visitors walk past Sou Fujimoto's Grand Ring, which has been recognized as the largest wooden structure in the world.

Can a World Expo still matter? Japan is about to find out.

By Tomoko Otake

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Fujitsu crafts sustainable innovation for itself, society

Fujitsu crafts sustainable innovation for itself, society

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