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April 25, 2024
 

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Megan Rowling
For Megan Rowling's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
A climate activist arranges artwork expressing opposition to fossil fuels at Dubai's Expo City during the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28 in Dubai on Dec. 12.
ENVIRONMENT / Climate change
Dec 19, 2023
COP28 deal on fossil fuels puts new focus on 'just transition'
From coal miners to offshore oil rig engineers, 32 million people who work in the fossil fuel industry face losing their livelihoods.
A pollution pod designed to mimic the air quality in New Delhi sits during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai on Tuesday
ENVIRONMENT / Climate change
Dec 13, 2023
Without fairness, fossil fuel phase-out flounders at COP28
Developing countries emphasized that they could not embark on the journey toward renewables in the absence of clear guarantees of international support.
A man walks past national flags of participating countries at the venue of the COP28 climate summit in Dubai on Thursday.
ENVIRONMENT / Climate change
Dec 1, 2023
Early pledges on 'loss and damage' fund build shaky trust at COP28
More pledges are expected to be made to the new fund during the two-week COP28.
Japan Times
WORLD / ANALYSIS
Jun 24, 2023
Paris finance summit breaks new ground in climate and poverty fight
France hammered home a key underlying principle for the reforms under discussion — that 'no country should have to choose between fighting poverty and fighting for the planet.'
Japan Times
WORLD / ANALYSIS
Jun 16, 2023
COP28 progress threatened by climate finance blame game at U.N. talks
Wealthy nations' unwillingness to discuss funding for vulnerable nations soured the atmosphere on most issues under negotiation — and is set to spill over into COP28.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
May 24, 2023
Disaster deaths decline but damage rises on hotter planet
While deaths caused by disasters have decreased thanks to early warning systems, economic losses from extreme weather events turbo-charged by global warming have skyrocketed.
Japan Times
WORLD / EXPLAINER
May 1, 2023
Wanted: More skills for workers as green jobs grow
One key factor holding back the green economy is a global lack of the skills required to build it, which are poorly understood and promoted.
Japan Times
WORLD / ANALYSIS
May 1, 2023
How can the green job boom avoid leaving workers behind?
Today the 'binding constraint' for a low-carbon transition is not finance but a huge gap in green skills.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Nov 8, 2022
Can COP27 deter Africa from a 'dash for gas' in green energy transition?
Climate campaigners have pitched themselves against African governments that believe they should be allowed to use gas to develop their economies.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Jul 22, 2022
In carbon markets we trust? New global guidance aims to stop greenwashing
Companies are struggling to find a simple, efficient method to judge the quality of the myriad carbon credits on offer and are seeking clearer guidance.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jun 9, 2022
Vulnerable nations demand funding for climate losses
The surging costs of climate change-driven destruction have made vulnerable nations poorer by about one-fifth, 55 such countries said.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jun 2, 2022
Pandemic and Ukraine war threaten clean energy gains for world's poorest
The impact of the pandemic on incomes has made basic energy services unaffordable for nearly 90 million people in Asia and Africa, according to international organizations.
Japan Times
WORLD / ANALYSIS
Mar 22, 2022
Ukraine crisis forces world to confront its oil and gas addiction
France aims to end the use of oil to heat buildings by 2030, boosting subsidies to make choosing heat pumps or biomass boilers a more affordable option.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 17, 2022
Invest in nature and reap cash benefits, World Economic Forum urges cities
A nature revival project, carried out in the early 2000s, has lowered traffic, flooding and temperatures, stimulated nearly $2 billion in urban redevelopment.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 13, 2022
Climate fund aims to help Indigenous people protect world's forests
A global fund aims to boost climate financing to Indigenous communities to help them secure land rights and preserve forested areas.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Nov 14, 2021
Climate 'loss and damage' earns recognition but little action in COP26 deal
Glasgow Climate Pact failed to secure the establishment of a dedicated new damages fund vulnerable nations had pushed for.
Japan Times
WORLD
Nov 10, 2021
Climate change risks 'runaway' humanitarian crisis and aid system collapse, U.N. warns 
Aid workers are struggling to keep up with the rising number of disasters in poor communities, calling for a boost in funds and more support for climate change adaptation.
Japan Times
WORLD
Nov 7, 2021
Tired of COP26 promises, Glasgow protesters push climate justice from 'the outside'
Vulnerable people in countries that have contributed least to climate change bear the brunt of extreme weather and rising seas on a warming planet, speakers said.
Japan Times
WORLD / ANALYSIS
Oct 29, 2021
Climate-vulnerable countries float 'emergency' timetable to cut emissions
The grouping wants countries to ramp up their plans for emissions cuts at every annual U.N. climate summit through to 2025.
Japan Times
WORLD
Oct 5, 2021
Reality check needed on finance to keep people safe in a warming world
International funding has become crucial to help poorer island nations suffering from climate change, but support for crafting national adaption plans is just as important.
'Sugar Baby Riri' gets nine-year prison term over romance scam
Mai Watanabe, who went by the moniker “Sugar Baby Riri,” dated older men and swindled them out of money by telling them fictitious heartbreaking stories about herself to gain their sympathy.
Over 40% of Japan's municipalities at risk of vanishing, study finds
Of 1,729 local municipalities nationwide, 744 have been identified as being at risk of disappearing.
Tokyo issues strong warning on yen intervention as currency dips further
Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki speaks during a meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and South Korean Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok on the sidelines of IMF and G20 meetings in Washington last week.
Princess Aiko makes debut at imperial garden party
Princess Aiko attends an imperial garden party in Tokyo on Tuesday.
Japan's former PM Aso meets Trump for talks on security and economy
Former U.S. President Donald Trump and Taro Aso, vice president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, in New York on Tuesday. The Japanese government’s top spokesman on Wednesday played down the meeting as one conducted "in the capacity of one lawmaker" and “without the government’s involvement.”
LDP veteran Nikai's youngest son expected to succeed him in Wakayama
Toshihiro Nikai, former secretary-general of the Liberal Democratic Party, announced in March that he would not run in the next Lower House election to take responsibility for the political funds scandal that rocked his party and his own faction.
New workers name Shohei Ohtani as 'dream boss' for two years running
Shohei Ohtani has been overwhelmingly voted as the “dream boss” for people who started working in April, according to a survey.
A craft beer crawl through Tokyo’s top bars, brewpubs and dives
If all you drink is Asahi, Sapporo and Kirin, you're depriving yourself of some of the best craft beer Tokyo has to offer — and there sure is a lot of it out there.
'Sugar Baby Riri' gets nine-year prison term over romance scam
Mai Watanabe, who went by the moniker “Sugar Baby Riri,” dated older men and swindled them out of money by telling them fictitious heartbreaking stories about herself to gain their sympathy.
Tsukiji 2030s: A stadium, culinary center and transportation hub
A computer-generated image shows redevelopment plans for the former site of the Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo.

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

Later this month, author Shogo Imamura will open Honmaru, a bookstore that allows other businesses to rent its shelves. It's part of a wave of ideas Japanese booksellers are trying to compete with online spaces.
The story isn't over for Japan's bookstores
By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

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

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