Japanese politics and the crushing of democracy: Yes, another Koizumi rises quickly! Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Political apathy in Japan isn’t something new but in some recent elections just below 50 percent didn’t bother to vote – or, slightly over 50 percent did. Thus, the usual dominance of the Liberal…
Typhoon Faxai hits Chiba, Kanagawa, Shizuoka, Tokyo, and the surrounding region Kanako Mita and Sawako Utsumi Modern Tokyo Times Typhoon Faxai hit vast swathes of Chiba, Kanagawa, Shizuoka, Tokyo, and other parts of the Kanto region in Japan. It appears that Tokyo escaped the worse of the typhoon despite major cancellations of the transport system,…
Japanese Poetry interwoved in the principles of Buddhism and Confucianism Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The early life of Yamanoue no Okura (660-733?) remains shrouded in mystery. Hence, speculation of his birth, be it Paekche in Korea or in Japan is open to debate. Irrespective of this, it is clear that Okura served Japan…
Japanese art and the nuance of joy amid Northern English industrial landscapes Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The contemporary Japanese artist, Sawako Utsumi, adores a plethora of different art styles fused from her native Japan and a mixture of European artists. This notably applies to the Dutch Masters of the sixteenth and seventeenth century,…
57 perish from the heatwave in Japan but the 2020 Olympics to be held in the same period Chika Mori and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times At least 57 people have perished in the last week in Japan based on the horrendous heatwave. At the same time, over 18,000 people have been treated at…
PM Dmitry Medvedev of Russia rebukes Japan over his visit to the Kuril Islands (Northern Territories) Noriko Watanabe and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev, sharply rebuffed negative comments emanating from political elites in Japan. After all, in the eyes of Medvedev, how can he be…
Japan tourism and the Shokozan Tokei-ji Buddhist Temple in Kamakura Kanako Itamae and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Kamakura is famous for many adorable Buddhist temples and other important historical realities based on the past importance of this amazing part of Japan. The beauty of Kamakura – for Tokyoites and tourists alike – is…
First Ever Sino-Russian Joint Air Patrol Barely Avoids Triggering Regional Conflict Publication: Eurasia Daily Monitor By: Pavel Felgenhauer The Jamestown Foundation The Chinese Ministry of National Defense published a white paper yesterday, July 24, entitled “China’s National Defense in a New Era.” The document accuses the United States of pursuing “unilateral policies,” provoking “intensified competition…
Abe and ruling political bloc wins Upper House election in Japan but voter apathy is high Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the ruling bloc partner Komeito won the majority of seats in the Upper House election that was contested. Hence,…
At least 23 perish after a brutal attack against a Kyoto Animation (KyoAni) studio in Japan Kanako Itamae and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Latest reports about the brutal attack against a Kyoto Animation studio indicate that at least 23 innocent people have been brutally killed by one individual. The animation studio, KyoAni, was…
Buddhism and Japan Art: The influence of the Middle Kingdom Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese Zen Buddhist priest Mokuan Reien was born in the thirteenth century in the land of the rising sun. Like many Japanese Buddhist holy men – artists and people of culture – the Middle Kingdom (China) was the…
Japan touts national security in a spat with South Korea after high-tech restrictions Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The government of Japan is issuing national security concerns in the latest spat with South Korea. While, in the opposite direction, South Korea once more is using historical war-time issues that need to…
Heavy rainfall in Japan is lashing down on Kyushu Kanako Itamae and Chika Mori Modern Tokyo Times Heavy rainfall is continuing to lash it down in two prefectures in the Kyushu region of Japan. Hence, more than one million people have been told to evacuate in parts of Kagoshima and Miyazaki because of serious worries…
Japan Considers a New Security Relationship Via “Networking” with Taiwan Publication: China Brief Volume: 19 Issue: 10 By: Howard Wang The Jamestown Foundation Introduction—Japan Seeks “Networking” with Regional Allies In early May 2019, Japanese Foreign Minister (FM) Taro Kono tweeted support for Taiwan’s bid to attend the World Health Assembly as an observer—thereby advocating for…
PM Abe of Japan returns from a pointless visit to Iran: Middle East quagmire Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Prime Minister Shinzo Abe returns to Japan after a pointless visit to Iran that made him look out of touch. Once more, the Japanese Foreign Ministry that is aloof about the real…
Japan and the pension debacle: Political elites fail to understand ordinary people Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times It is well and fine for political elites to provide international support to countless nations while running an enormous public deficit. After all, they don’t fear the pension debacle that awaits ordinary people because…
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to visit Iran but Saudi Arabia may be displeased? Murad Makhmudov and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan is planning to visit Iran once all arrangements have been made. This especially applies to meeting President Hassan Rouhani of Iran and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Therefore, senior…
Capitalist Big Brother in Japan: Yahoo Japan to Mizuho FG and George Orwell Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The privacy of information is endlessly being crushed just like freedom on social media. George Orwell in 1949 published a powerful book titled Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984). Sadly, the ramifications of his words are…
Japan and Russia territorial dispute made worse based on US containment policies Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan wants stronger relations with the Russian Federation but three issues remain that are preventing this. This applies to the role of America that seeks to contain China and…
President Trump to enjoy his state visit to Japan and meet the new Emperor Sawako Utsumi Modern Tokyo Times President Donald Trump of America will enjoy his state visit to Japan based on the friendliness of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Equally important, and a great honor for Trump, the leader of America will be the…
Arakida Moritake (1473-1549) and Japanese poetry: Iio Sogi and Shintoism Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times In time, the poet Arakida Moritake (1473-1549) became the symbolic head Shinto priest of the prestigious Inner Ise Shrine. Hence, with the Shinto faith meaning so much to Moritake, one can only imagine the inner-peace this provided. After all,…
Japan and electronic warfare based on a wary eye on China and Russia Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Irrespective of the rights or wrongs of events surrounding Crimea between the Russian Federation and Ukraine, the role of Russia’s electronic warfare opened-up eyes in Japan. Similarly, with China and the Russian Federation…
Japanese art and power concentration: Kano Sanraku (1559-1635) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Kano Sanraku (1559-1635) belongs to a time of major change in Japanese society. Hence, he witnessed the power processes of centralization under several warlords. This culminated with the emergence of the Tokugawa Period that lasted from 1603 to 1868. Therefore,…
Emperor of Japan and the flow from Heisei to Reiwa Sawako Uchida and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Japan is hailing the natural flow from the Heisei to Reiwa era without the shadow of death. Hence, despite many Japanese nationals feeling a sense of sorrow with the abdication of Emperor Akihito, a sense of…
Japanese art and the enigmatic Utamaro Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The distinguished art of Utamaro Kitagawa is known internationally based on his stunning art. This notably applies to the depiction of beautiful women (bijin-ga). However, while Utamaro is internationally famous, his life remains shrouded in mystery based on many areas remaining foggy. Therefore,…
Sterilization of people deemed “unworthy and unfit” from conservative Japan to liberal Sweden Chika Mori and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan acknowledged the brutality of forced sterilizations that inflicted vast numbers of people between 1948 and 1996. Hence, compensation will now be given to victims who suffered greatly…
US and Japan affirm Cybersecurity ties: Japan’s non-Northeast Asian fixation and Russia Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan claims that he desires to solve the protracted territorial dispute with the Russian Federation. Yet, many within the corridors of power in Moscow dispute the sincerity of Japan.…
Buddhism and Sengai Gibon: Buddhist contemplation and artistic outreach Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The inner-soul of Sengai Gibon (1750-1837) was always multidimensional and the flow that linked all fusions was Buddhism. Artistic wise, we will never know the real capabilities of Sengai because his art and writings were based on simplicity, enticing…
Electronic warfare and Japan: New approach to the Russian Federation? Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The government of Japan is focused on a five-year plan to upgrade areas related to electronic warfare, cyber wars, cyberspace, and other modern military areas. At the same time, Japan understands the growing reality of new…
Japanese poetry: The devoutly Buddhist Emperor Shōmu and Yamabe no Akahito Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Yamabe no Akahito belongs to the world of eighth-century Japan when Nara was the cradle of high culture in this nation. In truth, the jigsaw of his life is extremely difficult to piece together. Hence, his relationship…
EU to assist Myanmar in the education sector: Japan welcomes EU assistance Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The European Union (EU) will assist Myanmar in the education sector to the tune of US$252 million dollars. This news is widely appreciated because State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi is intent on increasing…
March 11 Earthquake and Tsunami of 2011: Heroes of Otsuchi to Fleeing Embassies Kanako Itamae and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times This article is published in the memory of the “Fire brigade Heroes of Otsuchi” – and remembering how so-called friends of Japan fled quickly. The brutal events of March 11, 2011, will always…
