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July 05, 2025
 

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT

JAPAN / Politics
Apr 16, 2023
Campaigning starts for second half of Japan's unified polls
The official campaign period has kicked off for the second half of Japan's unified local elections slated for April 23.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Apr 3, 2023
Rising number of uncontested seats in Japan sparks calls for change
A quarter of candidates in 41 prefectural assembly elections ran unopposed — the second highest ever — prompting even the winners to call for reforms.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 26, 2023
Mayoral races in six major Japanese cities officially kick off
The mayoral elections, part of the first round of unified local polls next month, are set for April 9.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / Japan Pulse
Mar 23, 2023
Tokyo gets on board the virtual YouTuber hype train
The local government's move to recruit Gawr Gura, Mori Calliope and Miko Sakura to help promote tourism speaks to just how big the VTuber industry has become in Japan.
JAPAN
Mar 22, 2023
Japan sets date for launch of new children's agency
Beginning operations on April 1, the Children and Families Agency will adopt an integrated approach to tackling issues such as the falling birthrate, child abuse and bullying.
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 / Media / MEDIA MIX
May 29, 2021
Creative solutions (and confusion) abound as regional governments carry out a national vaccination plan
Japanese press outlets focus on individual stories amid the start of the COVID-19 vaccination rollout in Japan.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 6, 2021
Japanese town builds giant squid statue with COVID-19 relief funds
The town of Noto used u00a525 million of a government grant to part-fund the u00a530 million, nine-meter-long statue, news reports said.
Japan Times
JAPAN / History / JAPAN TIMES GONE BY
May 2, 2021
Japan Times 1921: Crown Prince urges peace for world
While on tour in Europe a century ago, the man who would become Emperor Hirohito delivers a speech on world peace.
JAPAN
Apr 20, 2021
Japan's local governments get creative to incentivize vaccinations
From free bath salt giveaways to discounted taxi rides, municipalities are coming up with an array of programs, but the central government remains wary.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Apr 3, 2021
The legal conundrum surrounding same-sex marriage in Japan
Are such relationships better guaranteed by judicial protection or constitutional reform?
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Jan 28, 2021
Record sales of dollar bonds by Japanese prefectures gather steam
In the latest example, Kyushu's Saga Prefecture sold its first note in the U.S. currency on Tuesday, following last week's issuance of such debt by neighboring Fukuoka Prefecture.
A prophesied disaster (likely) won’t strike Japan this weekend
A viral manga prediction of a July 5 disaster has gripped Japan with anxiety and triggered an economic impact, but experts warn that while such dates are unreliable, the threat of a massive earthquake remains real. 
Magnitude 5.5 earthquake jars Tokara Islands amid flurry of seismic activity
A strong quake struck off the Tokara Islands on Thursday afternoon, with the island chain having recorded around 1,000 earthquakes since a burst of seismic activity first began on June 21.
Japan to require flight passengers to keep power banks within sight
The transport ministry has announced new regulations requiring flight passengers to keep power banks within sight to mitigate fire risks while on board planes.
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Residents of Tokara Islands begin evacuation as seismic swarm continues
Details about evacuations from Akuseki Island, located in the Tokara island chain in Kagoshima Prefecture, is seen written on a whiteboard in the city of Kagoshima on Thursday.
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Flag football facing challenges and opportunities ahead
Japan’s women’s flag football team at the 2025 International Bowl in Los Angeles in June. The sport is enjoying continued growth in the country.
From Hokusai’s Great Wave, shinkansen to One Piece: a cultural treasure box for Lego Japan
Michael Ebbesen, general manager of Lego Japan, says Lego bricks based on Japanese culture have a rich global appeal and are sellable around the world.
With farmed fish, RelationFish swims against the tide in fine dining
Chef Hideaki Matsuo (middle) and the staff of Oseto Suisan Fisheries prepare to check on their sustainably farmed fish.
As Southeast Asia heats up, a Japanese cooling giant sees a major opportunity
An employee of Daikin Cambodia explains the use of different tools during an air conditioner installation training session in Phnom Penh. Daikin is one of Japan’s oldest air conditioning companies, but as Japan’s population falls, the firm is keying in on overseas growth.

Podcast

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

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji
By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Muji has been sustainable from the beginning
Muji has been sustainable from the beginning

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