National / Reference | FYI Oct 13, 2020
Referendum a pivotal moment for Osaka and its politicians
by Eric Johnston
On Nov. 1, the city's residents will be asked whether to merge Osaka's 24 wards into just four.
Business / Financial Markets Aug 19, 2020
Japan to pitch Kansai and Fukuoka as post-pandemic financial hubs
In identifying the two areas, the government is shifting from its Tokyo-focused approach to creating a global financial center.
National Jul 25, 2020
Meteorological Agency issues weekend flood and landslide warnings as rain front rolls across Japan
The Meteorological Agency is warning that floods and landslides might hit western and eastern Japan this weekend as a rain front and low pressure system envelop a large portion of the archipelago. Some regions will experience very heavy rain, including thunderstorms, through Sunday, the agency ...
Voices | FOREIGN AGENDA Jun 8, 2020
Why we're marching for Black lives in Japan
by Ayana Wyse
What we are witnessing is a simple matter of human rights, which makes it an issue for everyone.
National May 22, 2020
Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo residents ambivalent about lifting emergency
by Eric Johnston
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also offered praise for the business-minded "Osaka model" Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura drafted to bounce back from the virus.
National May 15, 2020
Kansai fears virus relapse as Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo blaze own trails
by Eric Johnston
Despite regional concerns in Kansai, Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo are going their own way on reviving their economies amid the coronavirus pandemic.
National Apr 19, 2020
Lack of aid guarantees divides prefectures over emergency business closures
by Eric Johnston
The possibility of closures has prompted concerns that without financial guarantees from the central government, the impact could devastate local economies.
National Apr 12, 2020
Hyogo looks at business shutdown to coordinate virus response with Osaka
Hyogo Gov. Toshizo Ido said Sunday that his prefecture will ask some businesses to shut down in an effort to contain the novel coronavirus. At a news conference, Ido emphasized that Hyogo and neighboring Osaka Prefecture need to keep in step with each other. Osaka plans ...
National Apr 9, 2020
Small cinemas in Kansai turn to T-shirts as they struggle in pandemic
Small cinemas in Kansai that are struggling to attract moviegoers due to the coronavirus pandemic have started selling original T-shirts in hopes of boosting their bottom line. The project was launched jointly by 13 small cinemas in and around Osaka and the nearby cities of ...
National Mar 27, 2020
Kansai leaders call for those who returned from abroad to self-quarantine
by Eric Johnston
With over 340 cases of novel coronavirus in six Kansai area prefectures as of Friday, local leaders want all residents who have just returned from overseas to self-quarantine. But despite Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike and the governors of surrounding Chiba, Kanagawa, Saitama, and Yamanashi prefectures ...
National Mar 24, 2020
Kyoto Prefecture city to ban single-use plastic shopping bags
A city assembly in western Japan enacted an ordinance Tuesday that bans local retailers from offering single-use plastic shopping bags to customers, whether they are free or priced, the first such measure in the country. The ordinance in Kameoka, Kyoto Prefecture, is set to take ...
National Mar 19, 2020
Governors advise halt to weekend trips between Osaka and Hyogo amid virus fears
Nonessential travel between Osaka and Hyogo prefectures should be avoided during the long weekend amid the spread of the new coronavirus, their governors said Thursday. Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura told reporters the request is based on emergency steps proposed by state health experts to prevent ...