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Thisanka Siripala

Thisanka Siripala

Thisanka Siripala is an Australian-Sri Lankan cross platform journalist living in Tokyo.

Thisanka Siripala is an Australian-Sri Lankan cross platform journalist living in Tokyo. She specializes in Asia-Pacific news and current affairs while predominantly covering Japan and North Asia-related politics, business, and socio-economic shifts. She is an honors graduate from The University of Melbourne with a degree in International Relations, Media Studies, and Japanese language.

Posts by Thisanka Siripala
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August 26, 2020

Japan to Relax Re-entry Restrictions on Foreign Residents Starting in September

By Thisanka Siripala
Expats stranded in limbo overseas have hope on the way with borders poised to reopen to all foreign residents, albeit at a staggered pace.
August 17, 2020

Will COVID-19 Further Drag Down Japan’s Dismal Birth Rate?

By Thisanka Siripala
The coronavirus economic fallout adds new challenges to tackling Japan’s worrying fertility projections.

August 13, 2020

Japanese Firm Behind Catastrophic Oil Spill Pledges Compensation

By Thisanka Siripala
As Mauritius battles to contain the spread of oil, putting a price on the potentially irreversible environmental impact will inevitably raise questions.

August 05, 2020

Japan Braces for Looming ‘Second Wave’ Amid Dramatic Spike in COVID-19 Cases

By Thisanka Siripala
With Japan’s initial coronavirus response providing limited clarity, the need for long-term measures to prevent an outbreak is becoming more apparent. 

July 17, 2020

For Kyoto Animation, Arson Victims and Their Families Always Come First

By Thisanka Siripala
One year after the arson attack, the anime studio is determined to find its feet again, while coming to terms with the loss of beloved team members.
July 13, 2020

Japan Hammered by Record-Breaking Torrential Rains and Deadly Floods

By Thisanka Siripala
Once again, Japan's rainy season is taking a deadly turn this year.

July 08, 2020

Japan Promotes ‘Clean’ Coal in the Battle Against Climate Change

By Thisanka Siripala
Japan’s coal consumption is on the rise even as Europe plans a shift away from coal power. 
June 29, 2020

Tokyo’s Coronavirus Spike Points Finger at Controversial Alert System

By Thisanka Siripala
As infections surge, Tokyo’s alert system and the challenges of living with COVID-19 come under the spotlight.

June 22, 2020

Japanese Politics Rocked by Arrests Over Voter Bribery Scandal

By Thisanka Siripala
A mammoth voter buying scandal involving a former ruling LDP cabinet minister poses a challenge for the Abe administration.

June 16, 2020

Japan’s Campaign to Revive Virus-Hit Tourism Sector Postponed Amid Cost Controversy

By Thisanka Siripala
A newly devised tourism recovery campaign gets bogged down in a debate over transparency and inflated costs.

June 08, 2020

Japan Holds Anti-Racism Rally, Protesting Homegrown Police Brutality in Solidarity With Black Lives Matter

By Thisanka Siripala
Excessive force and unjust questioning against minorities are some of the issues raised by protesters in Tokyo.
May 27, 2020

Japan Ends Coronavirus State of Emergency, Aims to Gradually Reopen the Economy 

By Thisanka Siripala
The government declares success against the coronavirus and moves to incrementally resume economic activity.

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