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Satoshi Iizuka
For Satoshi Iizuka's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks to reporters at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Feb 23, 2024
Nikkei's all-time high unlikely to serve as tailwind for Kishida
Many analysts point out that the jump in Tokyo shares is not due to the economic and monetary policies of the government and the Bank of Japan.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during the opening session of the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit Meeting at a hotel in Tokyo on Sunday.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 17, 2023
Kishida's loss of public support may hurt Japan diplomatically
Despite pitching himself as having a major hand in world affairs, the Prime Minister's accomplishments are overshadowed by scandal in his party.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
May 14, 2023
Possible snap election after G7 summit unclear despite Kishida's popularity rebound
A recent rise in approval ratings for his Cabinet has strengthened speculation that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida may dissolve the House of Representatives after the G7 summit.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 4, 2023
LDP resistance imperils passage of LGBT law before G7 summit
Even if the envisioned legislation is put into force, Japan would still lag behind other G7 nations that have already instituted laws prohibiting discrimination against sexual minorities.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 24, 2023
Kishida's focus on child care leads to speculation over sales tax hike
Many fear a consumption tax hike could drag down business and household spending, hampering economic growth.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 9, 2023
Kishida kicks off trip to Europe and U.S. to pave way for G7 summit
The Japanese leader is planning to visit France, Italy, Britain, Canada and the U.S., as the leaders of those countries are expected to attend May's Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 10, 2022
Japan's parliament enacts law to prohibit malicious donation solicitations
Aiming to prevent more people from being victimized by controversial religious groups, parliament passed the bill with the support of the ruling bloc and most of the opposition parties.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Nov 22, 2022
String of ministerial changes may spur Kishida to reshuffle Cabinet
It is uncertain whether a hasty reshuffle will boost Kishida, given that there are only a limited number of fresh faces who would contribute to buoying the popularity of his Cabinet.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Sep 27, 2022
Kishida may face political headwinds after controversial Abe state funeral
Ruling party ties to the Unification Church and price hikes have also hurt the popularity of Kishida's government.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / FOCUS
Aug 14, 2022
Japan's tofu shops facing fight for survival amid rising costs
Some have reported increased sales, however, thanks to the popularity of new tofu products such as protein bars that are sold as health food products.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
May 6, 2021
Nationwide survey sheds light on plight of Japan's young carers
Poll finds 5.7% and 4.1% of junior and senior high school students, respectively, take care of family members, including younger siblings, those with disabilities and older relatives.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 17, 2021
62.1% of Japanese willing to have COVID-19 vaccination, survey says
The poll by a team from Tokyo Medical University found that women and younger generations are less accepting of vaccines.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Remembering 3/11
Mar 9, 2021
Deconstructing reconstruction to further understand Fukushima
It remains uncertain if decommissioning of the Fukushima plant can be completed on schedule between 2041 and 2051.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Feb 11, 2021
Only 21% in Japan cleaning hands properly amid pandemic, survey shows
The findings said that if the pandemic worsens, a hand-washing standard of 16 times per day should be advised.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Jan 9, 2021
Basic income proposal by influential Suga adviser hard to sell in Japan
The idea has caught Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's eye at a time when the coronavirus pandemic is stirring worries about job security and social inequality.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Jan 8, 2021
Tokyo remittance firm helped stranded Vietnamese amid pandemic
Yuichiro Kimoto, president of Unidos Co., sent food to Vietnamese people in need and shouldered the rent for a shelter for people from Vietnam who lost their homes in Japan.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Jan 4, 2021
Reformers look to fix Japan's damaging youth baseball culture
Some youth clubs, sports academics and even professional players have raised their voices to push for reform of the nation's notorious youth baseball culture.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Dec 21, 2019
'Too optimistic': Japan tax hike not enough to boost nation's finances
The nation's tax revenue is expected to end up lower than the record high figure estimated in the fiscal 2020 draft budget.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Nov 5, 2019
'Friendly and serious' Abe-Moon talks belie reluctance to compromise on both sides
While Moon stressed the need to resolve outstanding bilateral issues through dialogue, there are no signs of a concession by either side over wartime labor compensation.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 28, 2019
New visas won't help Japan's restaurants stay staffed unless hours and pay improve: experts
Foreign resident Kim Min-joong is expecting his working holiday visa to soon be replaced by a new type Japan introduced in April to bring in more workers.

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