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 Yumiko Murakami

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Yumiko Murakami
For Yumiko Murakami's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 22, 2020
Paternity leave controversy: It's time to walk the talk
Leading by example, Koizumi and his colleagues in the government may have a chance to change the mindsets of Japanese men about work and fatherhood.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 1, 2019
Time to listen to children on climate change
Young people are capable of shaping policies by sending powerful messages to a global audience that would not otherwise pay enough attention to climate change.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 30, 2019
A Japanese trailblazer who wore stilettos
Businesswoman Yoshida Haruno dedicated her life to promoting leadership roles for women in the public and private sectors.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 2, 2019
End of Heisei Era and lifetime employment
Lifetime employment in Japan companies is fading in the face of slow growth and intensifying competitive pressures.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 7, 2019
Missing female entrepreneurs
Creating a level playing field for female entrepreneurs will unleash the tremendous potential of this country.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 4, 2019
Breaking the spell of aging
Extending the working lives of the elderly by offering better employment conditions is a top priority for Japan.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 2, 2019
Preventing issue fatigue on womenomics
The most critical message that needs to be heard in Japan is that gender equality is an economic issue that helps both men and women live better lives.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 23, 2018
Time for Japan to enter world war for talent
Japanese companies need to seize the moment and proactively market Japan as an attractive and dynamic place to work.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 19, 2018
Climate change: A race against time
Utilizing Japan's superior technology and expertise in clean energy, we must step up to take a lead in the global fight to save the Earth.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 13, 2018
Gender discrimination: Nation's dignity is being questioned
Are the rigged entrance exams at Tokyo Medical University merely the tip of the iceberg?
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 17, 2018
Is Japan a land of contradictions or opportunities for immigration?
One could argue that there is no other country than Japan in the world today that has all the right conditions to welcome economic migrants.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 5, 2018
A war no country can win
A revamped WTO is the last hope to preserve the rule-based trade system.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 8, 2018
Finance Ministry 'sisters' needed
Japan's male-centric workplace culture is a breeding ground for scandals.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 8, 2018
Labor reforms can't wait
The third and most crucial 'arrow' of Abenomics — structural reform — must be carried out to achieve sustained economic growth.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 1, 2018
Will CEO activism take hold in Japan?
Few people expect to see Japanese CEOs weighing in on socially sensitive and divisive issues, but that may be starting to change.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 29, 2017
It's time to bring Japanese schools into the 21st century
Japan must develop an educational system that makes its citizens become more relevant to the globalized economy.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 15, 2017
It takes more than words to raise gender equality
Japan's gender gaps in income and leadership remain stubbornly entrenched.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 22, 2017
We can't keep waiting for gender equality
Isn't it time for Japanese corporations to wake up and smell the coffee, instead of the tea made by their female employees?
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 12, 2017
A silver-lining for graying Japan
Graying Japan faces a long list of daunting challenges, but it still has great potential.

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