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Joe Mayes
For Joe Mayes's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
WORLD
Jun 16, 2023
Sunak puts Boris Johnson’s legacy to a vote in bid to end chaos
The House of Commons will vote Monday on whether to accept a parliamentary probe that found Johnson repeatedly misled politicians about the rule-breaking parties during the pandemic.
Japan Times
WORLD
Mar 23, 2023
U.K.’s Sunak survives day of drama as Boris Johnson grilled by MPs
The prime minister’s position at the head of the governing Conservative Party has been bolstered after months of speculation in Westminster that Johnson could return to power.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / FOCUS
Nov 7, 2022
What to expect in the plan to fix Britain's fiscal hole
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's finance minister is trying to identify u00a350 billion ($56 billion) of spending cuts and tax increases.
Japan Times
WORLD
Oct 25, 2022
New U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak warns of ‘profound economic challenge’
Sunak faces a formidable challenge to steady the U.K. economy in the face of headwinds including double-digit inflation, rising interest rates and a surge in mortgage costs.
Japan Times
WORLD
Oct 19, 2022
In office but not in charge: How is Truss still prime minister?
On the face of it, Liz Truss's days as U.K. prime minister look numbered and her demise imminent, but Tory MPs are utterly divided over who should take over.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Oct 17, 2022
The pitfalls of Brexit are no longer taboo in U.K. politics
Brexit has caused six years of 'damage,” 'policy confusion” and 'ineptitude,” a columnist for the traditionally Brexit-backing Telegraph newspaper wrote this weekend.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Oct 15, 2022
Truss’ desperate bid to save U.K. premiership lands her in more trouble
Boxed in, U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss was left with two cards to play: hitting reset on her economic plan, and firing her friend and finance minister, Kwasi Kwarteng.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Oct 1, 2022
Can’t go forward, won’t go back: Truss’s government off to disastrous start
Less than a month in No. 10 Downing Street, Liz Truss and her team have already adopted an us-against-the-world mentality.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jul 7, 2022
Defiant Johnson refuses to quit amid resignations and firings
More than 40 ministers and aides followed the example set a day earlier by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid in quitting.
Japan Times
WORLD / FOCUS
Apr 13, 2022
Johnson likely to survive party scandal as Tory lawmakers shrug off fine
Johnson's disregard for normal politics has been popular, helping him shrug off a slew of scandals throughout his career.
Japan Times
WORLD
Feb 10, 2022
U.K. police quiz Boris Johnson's staff as new 'party' photo emerges of PM with Champagne bottle
A police announcement that they would contact more than 50 people over gatherings at Downing Street is the latest setback for Johnson over what the media has dubbed 'partygate.'
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Feb 6, 2022
Boris Johnson’s brave face can’t hide his fading grip on power
Key ministers suddenly appear less willing to give Boris Johnson their full backing.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 15, 2022
Boris Johnson brought to brink by the vengeful aide he crossed
Since being forced acrimoniously from his post as Johnson's most powerful adviser 14 months ago, Cummings has repeatedly resurfaced to throw dirt at his former boss.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 13, 2022
Boris Johnson buys time with apology but his party's rage simmers
Opposition politicians have repeatedly called on him to resign, but Tory benches were subdued, a sign that the PM's apology was just enough to stem the mutinous mood among his MPs.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 23, 2021
How a year of Brexit thumped Britain’s economy and businesses
According to one poll, a majority of the British population would now vote to re-join the the EU, including one in ten who voted to leave in the 2016 referendum.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Nov 28, 2021
Boris Johnson courts edgy MPs who may one day end his career
Johnson has been hosting weekly drinks and canapes for Tory MPs, divided into groups according to the years they entered Parliament, to try to soothe nerves.
Japan Times
WORLD
Oct 4, 2021
Why Brexit Britain is isolated, vulnerable and running on fumes
The country faces 'a perfect inflationary storm” that could plunge the economy into a recession next year.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 22, 2021
EU refusal to reopen Brexit deal spells fresh U.K. collision
Boris Johnson's government has warned that it will suspend parts of the agreement if the EU doesn't budge.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 10, 2021
U.K.-France standoff near Jersey shows how Brexit fish fight isn't over
Jersey, a self-governing British crown dependency near France that relies on Britain for its defense, has become ensnared in fraught cross-Channel relations.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
May 2, 2021
Johnson’s popularity faces key test in a Brexit heartland
An English town holds a vote on May 6 that will be a critical test for Johnson after his landslide victory in 2019 paved the way to take Britain out of the EU after years of wrangling.

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