Mari Yamaguchi
The Diplomat
Japan
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Past articles by Mari:
‘Hopeless’: Japan’s Weak Opposition No Match for Ruling LDP
Few expect the opposition to gain any ground in Japan’s upper house election on July 10. → Read More
Japan Ex-Leader Abe Shinzo Assassinated While Giving Speech
The former prime minister, 67, was gunned down while campaigning for Sunday’s upper house elections. → Read More
Japan Eases Foreign Tourism Ban, Allows Guided Package Tours
The Japan Tourism Agency says tours are being accepted from 98 countries and regions. → Read More
Cleanup Begins After Quake Shakes North Japan, Killing 4
The powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit an area that was devastated by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami. → Read More
Japan OKs Record $317 Billion Extra Budget for COVID, Economy
The budget largely is to fund COVID-19 measures, including booster shot vaccines and cash payouts. → Read More
Japan, Vietnam Look to Cyber Defense Against China
The cybersecurity agreement comes two months after the two countries struck a deal under which Japan will provide defense equipment and technology to Vietnam. → Read More
Japan’s Princess Mako Marries Commoner, Loses Royal Status
The couple will move together to New York to start a new life after facing intense scrutiny and criticism in Japan. → Read More
Japan’s Ruling Party Sees By-election Setback in Preview of Sunday’s Vote
The Liberal Democratic Party went 1-for-2 in the by-elections, raising the odds the LDP will lose ground in the general election on October 31. → Read More
Japan Leader Calls for Greater Military Capability, Spending
Kishida said Japan’s security environment has been rapidly changing. → Read More
Japan’s New PM to Seek Fresh Mandate to Handle Virus, Economy
Kishida said he would dissolve the lower house next week in preparation for October 31 elections. → Read More
Suga Bows Out of Party Vote, Paves Way for New Japan Leader
The Liberal Democrats and their coalition partner have a majority in parliament. Whoever wins the September 29 party vote is likely to become the new prime minister. → Read More
Japan Further Expands Virus Emergency Areas as Cases Surge
33 of Japan’s 47 prefectures are now under some type of emergency measures. → Read More
Japan to Limit Hospital Care as COVID-19 Cases Hit New High
The home isolation policy is meant to ensure that hospital care is available for seriously ill patients. → Read More
Japan Opens Mass Vaccine Centers 2 Months Before Olympics
Japan is scrambling to speed up its vaccination campaign ahead of opening day for the Tokyo Olympics. → Read More
Japan, US, France hold 1st Joint Drills on Japanese Land
Japan is seeking to expand its military ties beyond its alliance with the United States to include “like-minded” countries such as France. → Read More
Japan Regulator Bans Nuke Plant Restart Over Lax Safeguards
Of the 54 nuclear reactors Japan used to have, nine have been restarted under tougher post-Fukushima safety standards and four are currently operating. → Read More
New Tokyo Olympic President Tries to Assure Japan on Safety, Even as PM Extends State of Emergency
With polling showing strong opposition to holding the Games this summer and COVID-19 cases holding strong, Hashimoto Seiko has an uphill battle to win public support. → Read More
Abe Apologizes, But Isn’t Charged for Cherry Blossom Scandal
Prosecutors investigated whether Abe, his aide and two executives from his political support group had subsidized the party fees in violation of campaign and election funds laws. → Read More
Masks Key to Keeping Japan’s COVID-19 Caseload Low
Mask wearing and voluntary compliance with social distancing helped Japan avoid a full lockdown. But with cases climbing again, will Tokyo’s approach hold? → Read More
Ex-PM Abe’s Office Investigated Over Cherry Blossom Party Scandal
A scandal from 2018 continues to dog the former Japanese prime minister. → Read More