author

 
Menu
Search
 
July 12, 2026
 

Today's print edition

Home Delivery
Subscribe for more access

Meta

Twitter

@SatoshiJournal

Satoshi Sugiyama
Japan Times
JAPAN / Explainer
Aug 6, 2021
Japan changed its COVID-19 hospitalization policy: Here’s what you need to know
Ambiguous statements by Suga created confusion around the policy shift, with the prime minister forced to clarify the situation following a backlash.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 5, 2021
Explosive COVID-19 surge rekindles debate over lockdowns in Japan
The idea of harsher restrictions and penalties has become a political football, with conservatives arguing constitutional revision is needed to enhance the government’s powers.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Aug 1, 2021
Surging cases and virus fatigue upend Suga bid to shift public’s focus
The administration’s attempt to persuade people to look past the daily caseloads and treat COVID-19 as more of a seasonal infectious disease has hit a wall as cases surge.
JAPAN
Jul 30, 2021
Japan’s emergency expanded even as measure loses impact and support
With the latest measure, the Suga administration, well aware of the public’s virus fatigue, wants to buy time to vaccinate as many people as possible to push cases downwards.
JAPAN
Jul 23, 2021
As the Games begin, how is Japan dealing with COVID-19?
Although Japan is catching up to Western nations in the vaccine rollout, the more contagious delta variant and increased foot traffic is being blamed for driving up the number of new cases.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Jul 20, 2021
Moon’s Olympic absence points to protracted stalemate with Japan
Tokyo had been lukewarm on a visit, as it did not expect the South Korean president to propose solutions to festering grievances over historical, political and economic issues.
JAPAN
Jul 19, 2021
South Korea’s Moon scraps plan to visit Tokyo for Olympics
Plans to hold the first in-person summit between the leaders of Japan and South Korea had hit a snag over a disparaging comment by a Japanese diplomat about the South Korean president.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Jul 12, 2021
Politics trumps science in Japan COVID-19 emergency
The government had calculated that the political fallout from not declaring it would outweigh the merits of keeping the status quo.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jul 5, 2021
Underwhelming Tokyo result offers LDP a warning for general election
Many Tokyoites are voters without party affiliation, and their vote is often a reflection of broader public sentiment.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 28, 2021
LDP’s infighting tests Suga and party unity ahead of election season
The fight is manifesting itself in a number of recently formed Diet groups, with the two sides vying to install as many of their faction members as possible to LDP executive posts.
JAPAN
Jun 17, 2021
Japan aims to issue vaccination passports by end of July for overseas travel
The documents will include the holder’s date of inoculation and the manufacturer of the shot they received and will be available both in English and Japanese.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 16, 2021
Suga’s policy wins overshadowed by COVID-19 as Diet session wraps up
Without the pandemic, the prime minister would have enough achievements under his belt to be untroubled by a forthcoming LDP leadership contest and general election.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 15, 2021
No-confidence motion against Suga’s Cabinet voted down at Japan’s Diet
The motion was submitted after the ruling coalition rejected opposition calls for the current regular Diet session to be extended.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 9, 2021
Suga says vaccinations for all residents will be completed by November
The prime minister’s remark comes as inoculations have picked up speed across the country, after his administration faced criticism for an initially slow rollout.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
May 27, 2021
Suga’s top-down management style under scrutiny after series of rapid policy shifts
The prime minister’s approach could backfire and is already undermining the government’s traditional chain of command.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
May 18, 2021
As Europe’s interest in the Indo-Pacific grows, is Japan ready to lead the way?
As countries such as France and Britain dispatch ships to the region, the onus is now on Tokyo to show leadership by setting out a long-term, detailed roadmap for cooperation.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 26, 2021
More than 20 new cases of Indian COVID-19 variant found in Japan
A senior government official acknowledged that it would be ‘difficult’ to completely stifle the variant in the country if it began to spread more widely.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Apr 25, 2021
Behind the scramble over Japan’s third coronavirus emergency
Behind the scenes, the central and local governments bickered over how best to effectively implement COVID-19 countermeasures, even as cases surged to fresh highs.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Apr 22, 2021
Despite ‘comfort women’ ruling, Tokyo-Seoul relations expected to remain tense
A South Korean court’s reversal on a previous “comfort women” ruling may be seen as a win for Japan, but Tokyo is not celebrating just yet.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Apr 14, 2021
Suga-Biden summit offers chance to hash out a plan on China
Although the summit will be largely symbolic, it’ll also be a chance to cement a unified stance on China — or at least clarify how far they’re willing to go together.
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

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Sompo looks beyond insurance to focus on well-being
Sompo looks beyond insurance to focus on well-being

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

Read more

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER