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April 19, 2024
 

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Erik Wasson
For Erik Wasson's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks to the media in Washington on Wednesday.
WORLD / Politics
Apr 18, 2024
Defying hardliners, Johnson presses ahead on Ukraine and Israel plan
The Republican leader outlined a $95 billion aid package after intense discussions with ultraconservatives.
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson
WORLD / Politics
Jan 15, 2024
U.S. Congress unveils temporary spending bill to avert shutdown
The temporary spending bill would extend funds for some agencies that face a Jan. 20 deadline.
Rep. Kevin McCarthy speaks at the Capitol after he was ousted as speaker of the House, in Washington on Tuesday. The ouster is without precedent in modern U.S. history and leaves the chamber without a leader, plunging it into chaos.
WORLD / Politics
Oct 4, 2023
U.S. House speaker ouster means more chaos as shutdown fight looms
Kevin McCarthy lost his post after hardliners in his party revolted over his compromise with Democrats to avert government shutdown.
A downgrade by Fitch Ratings is being viewed as a condemnation of partisan U.S. politics, including the recent debt ceiling standoff and the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
BUSINESS
Aug 3, 2023
Fitch’s U.S. downgrade stokes the very fight it warned against
Washington’s hostile political factions have quickly taken up the agency's downgrade of U.S. government debt as a new weapon of political combat.
Japan Times
WORLD
May 22, 2023
Biden and McCarthy to meet Monday as staff debt-limit talks resume
Investors are girding for more volatility in markets this week as the two sides grapple for a deal.
Japan Times
WORLD
May 12, 2023
Biden’s debt ceiling meeting with McCarthy pushed to next week
The delay likely signals that staff-level talks on energy permitting reform and government spending have yielded progress.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 7, 2023
‘Crisis and confusion’: Four days of Republican barbs, chaos and cigars
Establishment Republicans were horrified, while Democrats snickered and comedian Jon Stewart called it the best season of C-SPAN ever.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 6, 2023
McCarthy fails in 11th U.S. Speaker vote, cementing longest fight since 1859
The stalemate has left House Republicans fractured after they reclaimed the majority in the November election and has stopped all other business in the chamber.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 4, 2023
U.S. House adjourns with Kevin McCarthy’s speaker bid still in doubt
It was the first time in a century that the House hasn't elected a speaker, the top position in Congress, after one round of balloting.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / FOCUS
Dec 3, 2022
Biden is staffing up for GOP probes even while downplaying risks
The White House is bracing for the onslaught by ramping up the team that will handle the probes, including bringing on a key staffer from a powerful congressional committee.
Japan Times
WORLD
Nov 18, 2022
House GOP primed to hit Biden with avalanche of investigations
GOP lawmakers have been setting the groundwork for wide-ranging investigations that, at least in part, will serve as payback for probes of Donald Trump.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Nov 18, 2022
Nancy Pelosi to exit as top House Democrat, ending historic era
Pelosi, 82, is leaving the post as Republicans are set to take control of the House in January after winning the majority in the midterm election.
Japan Times
WORLD
Aug 8, 2022
Biden and his party look for midterm boost from breakthrough bill
The president and his party finally scored the win they've been waiting for heading into the November congressional elections. But it's uncertain it will be enough to save them.
Japan Times
WORLD
Aug 4, 2022
White House lobbies Democrats to halt bill upgrading Taiwan ties
The legislation would designate Taiwan as a major non-NATO ally, support its participation in international organizations and provide $4.5 billion in security aid.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Apr 7, 2021
Biden plan still faces Senate hurdles even after procedural win
While the U.S. president now likely has several chances to pass parts of his economic agenda without needing any Republican votes, he still needs to keep his party unified.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 24, 2018
Trump's team attempts to reassure markets Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's job is safe
Trump administration officials moved to reassure financial markets that Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's job is safe following a report that said President Donald Trump has repeatedly discussed firing the central bank chief after last week's Fed rate hike.
No link to Nankai Trough quake seen after temblor in Shikoku
Satoshi Harada from the Meteorological Agency explains about the magnitude 6.6 earthquake during a news conference early Thursday.
Thousands evacuated as Indonesia volcano erupts
Indonesia's Mount Ruang spews hot lava and smoke as seen from Sitaro, North Sulawesi, on Wednesday.
Why hasn't Japan moved to prop up the weak yen?
Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Tuesday.
Snake on a train: Discovery of serpent delays Tokyo-Nagoya shinkansen
A Tokaido shinkansen. It is unclear whether the snake was venomous or how it ended up on the train, and there was no injury or panic among passengers.
In a first, Japan doctors sue Google over negative reviews on firm's map app
One of the lawyers representing a group of doctors suing Google told a news conference that the main purpose of the lawsuit is not to seek compensation but instead to raise awareness over various problems with the Google Maps system.
'House of the Owl' brings Hollywood values to Japanese TV
In the new Disney+ series “House of the Owl,” Min Tanaka (left) plays a powerful political fixer, or “kuromaku,” who has a troubled relationship with his adult children, particularly his idealistic son, played by Mackenyu.
Benefits and risks: AUKUS looks to take gamble on Japan
U.S. President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and British leader Rishi Sunak deliver remarks on the AUKUS partnership, after a trilateral meeting, at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego in March last year.
Kyoto’s demon night parade lives to haunt another day
In a Kyoto long past, the "hyakki yagyō" (100 demon night parade) haunted a sleepy corner of Kyoto. Now, one enterprising monster enthusiast has won a small batttle to keep the march alive.
U.S. deploys midrange missile system in Indo-Pacific for first time
A U.S. Army Mid-Range Capability (MRC) Launcher arrives as part of the capability’s first deployment into theater on Northern Luzon, Philippines, April 8.
Unpacking the chaotic by-election in a scandal-hit Tokyo district
People listen to a campaign speech in Tokyo's Koto Ward on Tuesday.

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

Historically, kabuki was considered the entertainment of the merchant and peasant classes, a far cry from how it is regarded today.
For Japan's oldest kabuki theater, the show must go on
By Lance Henderstein

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass
Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

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