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April 28, 2025
 

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GOVERNMENT

Japan Times
JAPAN / History / THE LIVING PAST
Mar 18, 2023
When Emperor Meiji opened Japan, a little democracy sneaked in
Inspiration was drawn not from liberal Britain but from authoritarian Germany. The parliament was partly appointed, partly elected — by an electorate of wealth.
JAPAN / Society
Mar 8, 2023
Would gender quotas for lawmakers work in Japan?
Experts both at home and abroad say quotas are the fastest way to achieve gender equality in politics, but there are many factors at play, both legally and culturally.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 6, 2023
Japan tackles shortage of regional assembly candidates
In 375 town and village assembly elections held as part of unified local polls in 2019, 93 saw no competitive races, with the share of uncontested seats hitting a record high of 23.3%.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 25, 2023
In graying Japan, local governments look to enact bold child-rearing support measures
While the local government moves might appear to be an encouraging step toward improvement, they are also giving rise to concerns about regional gaps in support measures.
JAPAN
Feb 24, 2023
No Japanese cities cut ties with Russian peers
According to to officials, 43 Japanese officials have sister-city or friendship city arrangements with Russian partners — unchanged since the war in Ukraine began.
JAPAN
Feb 15, 2023
Momentum behind same-sex partnership systems continues to build in Japan
A survey found that 245 municipalities and 10 of the country's 47 prefectures had same-sex partnership systems as of Jan. 10.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 5, 2023
Disaster subsidy issue found in claims made by Miyagi Prefecture city
The city of Kurihara, Miyagi Prefecture, is alleged to have made inappropriate applications for disaster recovery subsidies.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Feb 3, 2023
Osaka city assembly vice speaker arrested on molestation charges
Kentaro Inoue, 54, is suspected of touching the bodies of four girls age 10 to 11 at a sleepover hosted by Inoue in September 2020.
BUSINESS
Jan 25, 2023
Social impact bond program spreading among Japan's local governments
The system, while curbing fiscal spending, enables administrative bodies to improve the effectiveness of their services by encouraging companies involved to come up with creative ideas.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 7, 2023
Local government in Okinawa plans marine research near Senkakus
The city government in Ishigaki, Okinawa Prefecture, will send a research ship near the disputed islands late this month as China continues to send coast guard vessels near the islets.
JAPAN
Jan 6, 2023
Miyazaki government asked paper not to report governor's activities prior to COVID diagnosis
Miyazaki Gov. Shunji Kono, who secured a fourth term in office on Dec. 25, felt fatigued after making New Year's trips to local shrines Sunday and was diagnosed with COVID-19 the next day.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Dec 26, 2022
Local governments and businesses in Japan promote food drives
The programs are attracting attention not only as a means of support for the poor, but also as a measure to reduce food waste.
China seizes disputed reef near key Philippine military outpost
China Coast Guard officers unfurl a national flag on Sandy Cay reef, near the Philippine-held Thitu Island, in disputed waters of the South China Sea this month in this screen shot taken from Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.
Japan to resist Trump efforts to form trade bloc against China
As Japan gears up for the trade talks, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is also seeking to cushion the blow that the U.S. tariffs may have on the domestic economy.
As many as nine dead after driver plows into Vancouver festival crowd
An ambulance is parked at the site of the Lapu Lapu day festival, where a vehicle drove into a crowd killing several people in Vancouver on Saturday.
Arunima Mazumdar: ‘Japanese literature has a niche but deeply engaged readership in India’
Arunima Mazumdar, a New Delhi-based communications professional, began sharing her love of Japanese literature online in 2022. The platform has grown into a robust community known as Dokusha Book Club.
Japan struggles with gray zone of AI deepfakes exploiting children
AI-generated content — including those made using pictures of real people, which are known as “deepfakes” — is not explicitly covered under Japan's current legal framework, nor are human-drawn illustrations that depict child abuse.
Expo '25 gives the world a masterclass in mascots
2025 Osaka Expo mascot Myaku-Myaku dances on the stage during the event's official opening ceremony on April 12.
Japan struggles with gray zone of AI deepfakes exploiting children
AI-generated content — including those made using pictures of real people, which are known as “deepfakes” — is not explicitly covered under Japan's current legal framework, nor are human-drawn illustrations that depict child abuse.
‘Wildcat Dome’ challenges Japan's historical narratives
On the surface, "Wildcat Dome" tells a personal story of damaged children — now adults — bound together by tragedy. Underneath, there’s a constant undercurrent of political consequence, invisible and pervasive like radioactive particles.
Reclaiming Sanya, one meal at a time
Magokoro Yoshihira (center) is the managing director of Yui Associates, which operates the neighborhood fixtures of Sanya Cafe and Juyoh Hotel. Yusuke Takahashi (left) met Yoshihira during a difficult period in his life and now works as the cafe’s chef. Nancy Anne (right) has worked for over 10 years at Juyoh Hotel and enjoys the multicultural environment.
Amid uncertain tariffs, is now the time to buy a new iPhone?
An Apple store in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward in September. Prices for the newest iPhone models start at around ¥100,000 ($700) in Japan.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

A small shrine perched atop rocks braves the waves hitting the shoreline during a storm in Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture. The area is under threat of a possible 31-meter-high tsunami if an earthquake strikes the nearby Nankai Trough.
If the 'Big One' hits, this city could face a 31-meter-high tsunami
By Alex K.T. Martin

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