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Keita Nakamura
For Keita Nakamura's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal meets with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida as a part of the Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction in Tokyo on Monday.
BUSINESS / Companies / FOCUS
Feb 20, 2024
Private sector vital in pacifist Japan's support for Ukraine
With Japan unable to provide military assistance under its pacifist Constitution, private investment plays a vital role in showing commitment to Ukraine.
Members of the Ground Self-Defense Force search for the crashed U.S. Air Force CV-22 Osprey from the coast of Yakushima, Kagoshima Prefecture, on Saturday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Dec 3, 2023
Fears grow that Osprey crash may put dent in Japan-U.S. alliance
Experts say the United States should respond to Japan's demand for better operations at its military bases in the Asian country.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese Premier Li Qiang (front left) walk to the so-called ASEAN Plus Three meeting in Jakarta on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Sep 8, 2023
Regional summits a missed chance to mend Japan-China ties
While Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese Premier Li Qiang had a brief exchange, the Fukushima issue may have a lasting impact on bilateral ties.
A woman takes a blood test to check concentrations of PFAS chemicals in February in the city of Fuchu, Tokyo.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Aug 28, 2023
'Forever chemicals' from U.S. base in Tokyo fueling residents' fears
Other parts of Japan hosting U.S. bases have also detected high PFAS concentrations at rivers and other water sources, prompting a demand for inspections.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Jul 15, 2023
Japan's willingness to engage with North Korea may test patience of partners
While Japan has expressed readiness to engage with North Korea, Tokyo must perform a careful balancing act to ensure its outreach does not undermine its ties to Washington and Seoul.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Feb 23, 2023
G7 chair Japan urged to lead global efforts to rebuild Ukraine
With Friday marking one year since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began, calls have been mounting for Japan to take the lead in global support for Kyiv, including postwar reconstruction.
Japan Times
JAPAN / New Year Special 2023
Jan 3, 2023
G7 chair Japan should urge more nations to impose Russian sanctions
Experts call on Tokyo as G7 chair to increase efforts to urge more nations to impose sanctions on Russia and add pressure on Moscow to enter negotiations with Ukraine for a ceasefire.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 9, 2022
Japan should double foreign aid over the next decade, panel says
The proposals were made as the country prepares to revise its foreign aid charter next year for the first time since 2015.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 13, 2022
Japan, South Korea and U.S. vow 'joint response' if Pyongyang tests nuke
Fumio Kishida, Yoon Suk-yeol and Joe Biden touted the importance of trilateral cooperation as tensions have surged on the peninsula amid a flurry of North Korean missile launches.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 13, 2022
Japan and South Korea agree on early resolution of wartime labor issues
The talks came at the first official meeting of the two two countries' leaders' in almost three years, after bilateral ties sunk to their lowest point in decades.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 24, 2022
'Quad' nations favor expansion of U.N. Security Council permanent seats
The ministers said they backed expansion of the Security Council "so that the Council reflects the current global realities and incorporates more geographically diverse perspectives."
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 22, 2022
Following 'informal' talks, Kishida and Yoon vow to restore Japan-South Korea ties
During the in-person meeting, the two leaders also shared serious concerns over the North Korean missile and nuclear threats.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Aug 7, 2022
Japan to have challenges in ASEAN ties as tensions over Taiwan grow
Southeast Asia is regarded as being at the forefront of the rivalry between Japan and China and recent tensions over Taiwan are expected to create greater diplomatic challenges.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 2, 2022
Nuclear weapons talks face renewed challenges amid global instability
It will likely be harder for members of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons to find common ground than at any of the past nine gatherings of the treaty.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Jul 1, 2022
Ukraine war puts spotlight on defense budget hike in Japan election
Polls show that the public is split on an increase in defense spending.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
May 2, 2022
Observers say Russian invasion presents unique opportunity for U.N. reform
Since Moscow vetoed a U.S.-led draft Security Council resolution that would have condemned its invasion of Ukraine, the organization has been unable to take effective measures.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 10, 2022
Foreign students begin to lose patience with Japan's COVID-19 entry ban
The policy, which will be in place at least until the end of February, has left up to 140,000 people who had hoped to begin studying in Japan unable to take up their places.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 16, 2022
South Korea and Taiwan expected to top Japan in GDP per capita in 2027 and 2028
South Korea and Taiwan are likely to outstrip Japan in terms of gross domestic product per capita in a couple of years due to higher productivity and efforts for digitalization.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 10, 2021
Top U.S. diplomat for East Asia welcomes Japan's plan to boost defense spending
Daniel Kritenbrink, assistant secretary of state for the region, also said he believes increased defense spending by Japan would "make Asia more secure and more prosperous."
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 23, 2021
Fiscal discipline kept on back burner in Japan's election campaigning
The fiscal consolidation goal has already been pushed back once from the previous target of fiscal 2020.

Longform

A statue of "Dragon Ball" character Goku stands outside the offices of Bandai Namco in Tokyo. The figure is now as recognizable as such characters as Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man.
Akira Toriyama's gift to the world