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Satoshi Sugiyama
JAPAN
Apr 13, 2021
Government OKs discharge of Fukushima nuclear plant water into sea
Any release of treated water into the Pacific will be done in small quantities each time and carried out over a period of about 30 years.
JAPAN
Apr 9, 2021
Stricter COVID-19 measures to be applied in Tokyo, Kyoto and Okinawa
In the greater Tokyo metropolitan area, a highly infectious strain of the coronavirus first identified in the U.K. — N501Y — now accounts for a third of new infections.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 7, 2021
Suga says time ripe to decide fate of treated Fukushima No.1 water
The prime minister is likely to call a Cabinet meeting on the fate of the water next Tuesday, local reports say, after meeting with national fisheries association chief.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 7, 2021
Talk of U.S.-led Beijing Olympics boycott puts Japan in tight spot
Japan has been wary of checking China on rights issues, partly out of fear of economic retaliation from its largest trading partner.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Apr 6, 2021
Alarmed by inaction, lawmakers push Japan to embrace rights diplomacy
A tug-of-war between the Foreign Ministry and lawmakers, with Suga standing on the sidelines, illustrates the challenge confronting Tokyo: Take stronger action or risk alienating the U.S.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 18, 2021
Suga declares state of emergency will end Monday as virus resurgence fears linger
Yasutoshi Nishimura, the minister leading the central government’s virus response, stressed the importance of minimizing another outbreak.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 17, 2021
Suga says COVID-19 emergency will be lifted for Tokyo region on Monday
The prime minister’s decision comes after Tokyo reported a monthly high for new coronavirus cases.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 16, 2021
Top U.S. and Japanese officials get tough on China in key security talks
In a joint statement singling out Beijing, the top U.S. and Japanese diplomats and defense chiefs condemned China’s ‘coercion and destabilizing behavior’ in the region.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Mar 11, 2021
First meeting of ‘Quad’ leaders highlights Biden’s push for united front against China
The Quad meeting will be the first of many challenges for the Biden administration as it seeks to demonstrate leadership in navigating Indo-Pacific affairs.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Mar 5, 2021
Suga announces two-week extension to state of emergency in Tokyo area
The move is understood to be aimed at easing burdens on hospitals — and wrestling back prominence as a leader, in the public eye, from Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike.
JAPAN
Mar 2, 2021
Lower House passes record budget as Suga looks to move on from scandals
Suga is hoping for a reset by securing funds for important policy goals, in the process putting the LDP back on a positive trajectory ahead of an election this year.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 1, 2021
Elite bureaucrat’s resignation takes the wind out of Suga’s sails
Makiko Yamada’s scandal-linked resignation jeopardizes attempts by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to rally support following his heavily criticized handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
JAPAN
Feb 26, 2021
Japan to lift state of emergency over COVID-19 in six prefectures from Monday
With the decision to cancel the declaration in Osaka, Hyogo, Kyoto, Aichi, Gifu and Fukuoka starting March 1, the focus in those areas will shift to suppressing any resurgence of the virus.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Feb 25, 2021
Japan’s ties with Myanmar put to the test after military coup
Tokyo has been cautious about implementing sanctions on the Myanmar regime to avoid jeopardizing the relationship it has built with military leaders over decades.
JAPAN
Feb 17, 2021
Japan and U.S. reach agreement on cost of hosting American troops
The one-year deal, in which Japan will shoulder about u00a5200 billion — roughly in line with the previous year — is widely seen as a temporary measure.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 16, 2021
China sends ship with cannon-like weapon near Senkakus for first time under new law
The move comes after Beijing passed a law that allows its coast guard to fire on foreign ships in waters it claims.
JAPAN
Feb 12, 2021
Japan keeps COVID-19 emergency in place as hospital occupancy remains high
A health ministry advisory board warned that while new cases were declining in most areas, clusters at hospitals and care facilities could propel death tolls to high levels.
JAPAN
Feb 10, 2021
Japan likely to maintain virus emergency in 10 prefectures for now
The government was looking to downgrade the emergency in three prefectures this week, but it’s politically safer for Suga to keep the measures in place for the time being.
JAPAN
Feb 8, 2021
As emergency eases, Diet focus turns to next stage of virus fight
The central government is reportedly seeking to convene a virus task force meeting Friday, at which Suga may lift the state of emergency in some regions.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 5, 2021
Budget talks overshadowed as more issues pile up for Suga
There is mounting pressure on the prime minister on issues ranging from a potential ethics violation involving a family member to sexist remarks by the Tokyo Games chair.

Longform

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