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Swati Gupta
For Swati Gupta's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The national election results won’t be known until June 4, when vote counting takes place.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 19, 2024
Modi bets on third term as India’s massive election kicks off
The national election results won’t be known until June 4, when vote counting takes place.
Demonstrators protest against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in Delhi on March 22.
WORLD / Politics
Apr 3, 2024
Modi’s opposition unites at rally demanding fair elections
The opposition has criticized the ruling party as their leaders faced arrests and investigations.
Indian National Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi (center) with other party leaders of the I.N.D.I.A alliance in New Delhi in December 2023.
WORLD / Politics
Mar 19, 2024
Anti-Modi alliance in India is faltering as election nears
Absent a clear vision that presents the Indian electorate with an alternative to the ruling BJP, the Congress-led alliance faces an uphill task in polls.
A supporter carries an Indian National Congress Party flag outside the party's headquarters in New Delhi in 2019.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Feb 19, 2024
India’s opposition targeted by tax agency before polls
Opposition parties have accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government of using the country’s federal law enforcement agencies to single them out.
Nitish Kumar, chief minister of the Indian state of Bihar
WORLD / Politics
Jan 30, 2024
India’s political opposition reels as fickle Modi rival turns ally
Nitish Kumar was one of the key players behind the 28-party alliance created last year to fight the ruling BJP at elections due in a few months time.
A cut out of Lord Ram on a street ahead of the grand opening of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, India, on Friday.
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 20, 2024
A Hindu temple embodies the rise of Modi and India's deep divisions
With national elections a few months away, the inauguration of a controversial temple is symbolic of a changing India and marks the capstone of Modi’s 10 years in power.
Narendra Modi celebrates at the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters in New Delhi on Sunday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Dec 4, 2023
Narendra Modi’s party wins key state polls, boosting re-election bid
Opposition parties' fairly comprehensive losses will buoy the ruling party and the "exceptionally popular" Indian prime minister ahead of national polls.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the crowd as he arrives at a Bhartiya Janta Party gathering in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.
WORLD
Sep 30, 2023
Murder claim in Canada is only helping India's Modi at home
India has gone on the offensive since Canadian leader Justin Trudeau accused Modi’s government of orchestrating the murder of a Sikh priest.
The new Parliament building in New Delhi. The Indian parliament approved a bill to reserve a third of lawmakers’ seat for women.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 22, 2023
India parliament passes bill to reserve more seats for women
The bill can be enforced only after the country conducts a fresh census and reshapes its political districts, a process that has been frozen until 2026.
Since taking power in 2014, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has used highly personalized campaigns to win elections — a winning strategy so far.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 5, 2023
Modi's G20 marketing blitz won't harm his 2024 election campaign
In hosting the G20, the prime minister is showcasing his efforts to bolster India’s international influence along with symbolism with a clear message.

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When trying to trace your lineage in Japan, the "koseki" is the most important form of document you'll encounter.
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