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July 12, 2026
 

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Satoshi Sugiyama
JAPAN
Dec 24, 2021
Japan not planning to send senior officials to Beijing Olympics
In an attempt to strike a diplomatic balance in its relationships with both the U.S. and China, only Olympic officials will represent Japan at the Winter Games.
JAPAN
Dec 15, 2021
Land ministry overstated construction orders data for years, potentially inflating Japan’s GDP
The land ministry was ‘rewriting’ monthly data from about 12,000 select companies since 2013, at a pace of about 10,000 entries per year.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 13, 2021
Kishida reverses government’s position on cash handout
After weeks of a vacillating central government and frustrated local officials, the reversal raises questions about intraparty cooperation.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 6, 2021
In speech, Kishida lays out bold plans for health, economic and defense policies
The prime minister introduced an array of specifics, including details about booster shots, tax credits and national security.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Dec 5, 2021
Omicron threatens to blunt Kishida’s momentum as parliament session begins
Confusion over tough entry restrictions prompted by the new COVID-19 variant has thrown a wrench into the leader’s plans while emboldening the opposition.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Nov 24, 2021
Japan makes landmark decision to tap oil stockpiles, but impact remains unclear
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Wednesday that the government would release some of its oil reserves in concert with the United States.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 10, 2021
Kishida’s picks for top diplomat and rights adviser hint at striking balance on China
After just over a month in office, some experts say Kishida may be looking to moderate an increasingly hawkish approach to Tokyo’s relationship with Beijing.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Nov 10, 2021
With momentum on his side, Kishida ready to roll out key policies on COVID-19 and economy
While Wednesday’s legislative session to re-elect Kishida might have appeared to be ceremonial, one thing is clear: He is now on a much more solid footing within the LDP.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 4, 2021
LDP backs Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi for party’s No. 2 role
The choice of Motegi as secretary-general underscores Kishida’s desire to stabilize his power base within the party, as the appointee is close to LDP power brokers Shinzo Abe and Taro Aso.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 1, 2021
The LDP won the Lower House election, but it has few reasons to celebrate
Despite achieving a strong majority of its own, high-profile upsets and a reduced ruling coalition seat count have taken the edge off victory.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 1, 2021
LDP secures comfortable majority in Lower House election
Ruling party suffers some high-profile losses, with Akira Amari poised to resign as secretary-general following a surprise defeat in his Kanagawa constituency.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 31, 2021
Voting in Japan’s Lower House election kicks off in first test of Kishida’s popularity
All 465 seats — 289 single-member districts and 176 elected under proportional representation — will be contested, with the ruling bloc widely seen as maintaining a simple majority.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 29, 2021
Pre-election briefing: Here’s where the parties stand on the issues
With everything from the pandemic to nuclear power weighing on voters’ minds, there has been increased discussion about the direction that Japan should take.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 19, 2021
Issue of national security looms large in Lower House campaign
The economy and fight against COVID-19 remain the top issues for voters, but they are increasingly concerned about threats from China and North Korea.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 19, 2021
LDP projected to retain majority in election but lose 40 seats
With the addition of Komeito’s seats, the ruling coalition will be able to pass bills smoothly but will lack the number needed to push forward with constitutional revision, a pollster says.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 14, 2021
Lower House dissolved as Japan shifts into election season
Kishida is heading into the vote facing a balancing act between placating conservative voters and LDP lawmakers, and seeing off a more united left-leaning opposition.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 11, 2021
Opposition presses Kishida on COVID-19 and economic policy in Diet questioning
With an eye on the upcoming Lower House election, CDP leader Yukio Edano mixed his attacks on the new prime minister with counterproposals of his own.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 8, 2021
Kishida calls for new economic approach in first policy speech
Kishida on Friday vowed to transform the Japanese economy by implementing a “new model of capitalism,’ identifying growth and the distribution of wealth as “mutually necessary.”
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Oct 7, 2021
Who is Fumio Kishida, Japan’s new prime minister?
Who is Kishida and how did he rise to become the country’s newest Prime Minister?
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 4, 2021
Challenges await as Kishida takes reins as Japan’s prime minister
Fumio Kishida is taking over as the country continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. But his first job will be securing his mandate.
China’s demand for Soviet-style apartments shows limits to revival
Apartments built during a Soviet Union-inspired construction drive in the 1970s and 1980s tend to suffer from poor insulation and outdated plumbing, but they are seeing a revival in interest due to their attractive locations.
Japanese scientists identify neural mechanism that may explain why we dislike people
The aggressive mouse (left) used in the experiment and a mouse defending itself
Japanese payment processor’s collapse hits banks and restaurants
Zentoshin served around 200,000 shops, many of which rely on early payments to maintain cash flow, raising concerns over their financial stability following the disruption.
Over 70% of accommodations in Japan say they are understaffed amid tourism influx
The number of foreign visitors to Japan reached a high of 42.68 million in 2025.
Lenders seek $700 million after Japanese payments firm’s collapse
The financial failure of Osaka-based Zentoshin has left 63 creditors with claims totaling ¥115.16 billion, according to Tokyo Shoko Research.
Japan’s largest exhibition of women photographers rights a wrong in cultural history
Miwa Yanagi’s “Elevator Girl House” series skewers the superficiality of gender roles through staged images.
Over 70% of accommodations in Japan say they are understaffed amid tourism influx
The number of foreign visitors to Japan reached a high of 42.68 million in 2025.
‘Princess Mononoke’ comes alive in Super Kabuki staging
The “Princess Mononoke” adaptation was created under Shochiku’s Super Kabuki initiative, a modern form of kabuki with more technology in staging and open to pop culture collaborations.
The beating heart inside ‘Human Vapor’
Different forms of love and connection form the emotional backbone of Netflix’s “Human Vapor,” says actor Shun Oguri, who plays troubled detective Kenji Okamoto.
Japan bets on character IP to drive global growth
Born on social media platforms in 2022, Opanchu Usagi has become a major hit, especially among Generation Z.

Podcast

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

Longform

The Terasaka Rice Terraces are seen with Mount Buko in the background.
What Yokoze can teach Japan about rural revival
By Alex K.T. Martin

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