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Reito Kaneko
For Reito Kaneko's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 2, 2021
Japan's ruling LDP proposes boost to SDF and coast guard capabilities
A proposal by a panel within the governing party also asks for legal changes to be considered that would allow use of weapons to deal with incidents that fall short of a military attack.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 27, 2021
China could step up armaments and provocations near Senkakus, Defense Ministry report warns
An author of the report warned that moves by Chinese government vessels against Japanese fishing boats near the disputed islands will likely become even more blatant.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Mar 17, 2021
Confirmation of law on coast guard action will help Japan deter China, officials say
'This interpretation will not allow others to find weaknesses in Japan's law and will work as a deterrent,' former Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 25, 2021
Japan can shoot at foreign government vessels attempting to land on Senkakus, LDP official says
Government officials had said earlier Japan's coast guard is only allowed to fire weapons directly at foreign vessels in cases of self-defense and emergency escape.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 21, 2020
Japan approves record defense budget for fiscal 2021 amid China threats
The draft budget, up 0.5% from the previous year, includes funding to introduce new standoff missiles capable of attacking enemy vessels from outside their firing range.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Dec 18, 2020
Japan's additional Aegis ships could encourage further arms buildup
The proposed deployment could allow China and Russia to justify further military expansion, experts say.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 9, 2020
Japan to build two new Aegis ships as alternative to land-based system
Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi also announced that Japan plans to develop standoff missiles that can be launched at targets from outside the range of enemy missiles.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 7, 2020
Japan and U.S. conduct joint military drills amid China's assertiveness
Held since 1982, it is one of the largest-scale exercises conducted by the GSDF and the U.S. Army.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 11, 2020
Lockheed exec says Aegis radar 'fully capable' for MSDF vessels
Given that a sea-based option is now more likely, some LDP lawmakers have raised concern that interoperability between the Maritime Self-Defense Force and the U.S. Navy may be undermined.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Sep 5, 2020
Japan strike capability could stoke simmering tensions in Asia
Experts say the move could drag Japan into a dangerous arms race with China that might force it to consider the acquisition of offensive weapons.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jul 14, 2020
Skin trouble on rise as face masks become essential
More companies are innovating to offer novel solutions to dry skin and sore ears.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health / ANALYSIS
Mar 22, 2020
Experts sound alarm over Japan's coronavirus testing
Some are casting doubt on whether the country can provide adequate testing and promote effective policies to contain the outbreak.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Mar 5, 2020
Magazine faces 'Big Issue dilemma' as Japan's homeless ranks shrink
Teruo Irishima, a homeless man from Nara Prefecture, earns a living by selling The Big Issue Japan, a magazine published around the world to give people in situations like his a leg up in life.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 26, 2020
Foreign diplomats introduced to sake-making in bid to promote Japan's national beverage
Foreign diplomats in Japan have toured a sake brewery near Tokyo to study how the beverage is made in a project the government and the sake industry hope will promote the traditional rice wine overseas.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Feb 17, 2020
Dressing up T-shirts with traditional flair
More than a century ago, the skills of paper stencil textile-dyeing artisans made it possible to mass-produce kimono with vivid and intricate designs that previously could only be achieved by hand painting.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 27, 2020
Tokyo's taxi drivers brush up their English to cash in on Olympics
"There are many ways to ask your passengers to fasten their seat belts. The easiest is to say, 'Seat belt please,' but you should never add the word 'take' as it then means you want that to be stolen," an English teacher said in Japanese with a subtle smile.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 14, 2020
Tokyo manga hotel makes virtue of sleepless nights
Few hotels in the world actively encourage guests to have sleepless nights, but a manga-themed establishment does just that — and it is proving very popular with Japanese and non-Japanese alike.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 29, 2019
Okinawa's Shuri Castle to rise from ashes in virtual resurrection
Rei Kawakami was on a train to the airport after a conference in Seoul in October when she heard about the fire engulfing Shuri Castle in Okinawa.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Dec 26, 2019
Cultural discovery starts at the table
In an eastern area of downtown Tokyo, classes are being held in a six-story building promoting Thai language and culture.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 21, 2019
Nagano highlands fertile ground for Filipino interns
A Filipino technical intern picks strawberries from elevated beds as he backs down an aisle on a swivel chair in a greenhouse — a common scene in this mountainous area of central Japan known for highland agriculture.

Longform

When trying to trace your lineage in Japan, the "koseki" is the most important form of document you'll encounter.
Climbing the branches of a Japanese family tree