author

 
Menu
Search
 
November 21, 2024
 

Today's print edition

Home Delivery
Subscribe for more access

Meta

Javier Blas
Notwithstanding the increase in EV sales, there are now more cars than ever powered by internal-combustion engines.
COMMENTARY / World
May 14, 2024
Nevermind those EVs — oil demand keeps growing
The oil bulls still have reason to worry: With OPEC+ trying to keep prices as close as possible to $100 a barrel, non-OPEC supply, including from biofuels, keeps surging.
A farmers open cocoa pods in Cote d’Ivoire in October 2018. Many West African farmers make just enough to subsist, with most lacking the means to re-invest in their small plots.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 13, 2024
The meltdown in chocolate is coming as prices signal supply shortages
It’s worth remembering that cocoa beans traded a year ago for $2,500 and that in 2000 they changed hands at just $650.
Asteroid mining only works in a science-fiction world where metals are thousands of times more expensive than they are today.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 25, 2023
Commercial asteroid mining has a astronomical cost issue
Asteroid mining only works in a science-fiction world where metals are thousands of times more expensive than they are today.
Peak of fossil fuel consumption may be approaching, but the post-peak period may not lead to a rapid decline, which could impact global efforts to combat climate change.
COMMENTARY
Oct 8, 2023
With fossil fuels, ‘peak demand’ isn’t what it sounds like
Peak fossil-fuel consumption will be a cause for celebration. But we should remain skeptical it’s as near as the IEA has said, especially for gas.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 6, 2023
Saudi Arabia's solo oil production cut is a risky strategy
By implementing a unilateral output reduction, Riyadh is hoping to boost crude prices.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 19, 2023
Europe is winning the winter war by sheer luck
Gas supplies are ample even if cold weather returns in force. The bad news is that it means climate change is still happening.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 13, 2023
Even with the electric car boom, the U.S. need for oil is climbing
U.S. consumption of fossil fuels is heading toward records — even amid the electric-car boom — and plastics are to blame.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 7, 2022
The Saudi-Russian oil axis snubs the West with production cuts
Coming weeks before the U.S. midterm elections, many also see the move to cut oil production as a personal attack on President Joe Biden.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 3, 2021
Surprise output hike by OPEC+ follows U.S.-Saudi diplomacy drive
The production boost comes even as the new COVID-19 variant threatens demand, after Washington and Riyadh reached a detente on oil prices.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 2, 2021
OPEC+ faces output decision as omicron puts market in disarray
Despite the darkening outlook of the oil market, the panel forecast an oversupply of 1.9 million barrels a day in the first quarter, down from previous estimates.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Nov 4, 2021
OPEC+ heads for geopolitical showdown as Biden demands more oil
Bowing to U.S. pressure and opening the taps would keep Saudi Arabia's closest ally onside, at the expense of the hard-won crude price recovery that has swelled the kingdom's coffers.
Japan Times
WORLD
Oct 13, 2021
IEA warns world isn’t investing enough to meet future energy needs
Investment in green energy lags what's needed to keep the planet from warming significantly, while fossil fuel spending also fails to cater for currently growing demand.
Japan Times
WORLD
Oct 11, 2021
In a world fighting climate change, fossil fuels take revenge
Across the world, fossil fuels are making a remarkable comeback as a supercharged recovery from the pandemic boosts demand.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Mar 28, 2021
When a desert wind blew $10 billion of global trade off course
The grounding highlighted the fragility of a global network of markets and economies that takes for granted the flow of goods through it.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 22, 2018
A year ago, Davos thought Trump would be a normal president
If there was one message that echoed through the mountains ringing Davos a year ago, it was that the business world could ignore tweets from U.S. leader Donald Trump.
Ishiba delays meeting with Trump, citing legal restrictions
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba waves upon arrival for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, in Callao, Peru, on Friday.
Two of America’s biggest debt holders are dumping Treasurys
The U.S. Treasury building in Washington. Investors in Japan and China sold a pile of U.S. debt in the last quarter, just before the U.S. presidential election.
Rising sex tourism exposes loopholes in Japan's anti-prostitution law
While financial misfortunes during the COVID-19 pandemic may have driven some women to work the streets, others simply want more money to spend — or want to pay off their debts — at host clubs.
Japan ranks last in romance satisfaction for second straight year
In a survey of 31 countries, Japan ranked last in terms of those who felt loved, with just 51% of respondents saying so.
Ruling coalition and DPP strike last-minute deal over economic policy
DPP policy chief Makoto Mahaguchi speaks at the party's policy gathering in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Japan, U.K. and Italy discuss inviting more countries to joint fighter project
A new concept model of a next-generation fighter jet to be jointly developed by Japan, Britain and Italy is on display in Farnborough, Hampshire, in July.
Haruki Murakami's 'The City and Its Uncertain Walls' gives deep deja vu
For “The City and Its Uncertain Walls,” translated into English by Philip Gabriel, Haruki Murakami confronts the ghosts who won't leave him alone.
Japanese expats in Asia find community through rugby
The Taiwan Fivewoods celebrate their victory at the 2023 Asian Japanese Rugby Cup in December of last year.
In Fukushima, a weekend of prose, poetry and translation
Aomori-based writer JJ Carter presented on tabletop gaming as creative inspiration for building characters and narratives.
For Dr. Nakamats, aging is just experience in action
Though he didn't win the recent gubernatorial election in Tokyo, the 96-year-old Dr. Nakamats' run was seen as inspirational in Japan's aging society.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?
By Kathryn Wortley

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

mission sustainability vol.12 : Kose Corp.Kose takes pride in creating beauty in the world
mission sustainability vol.12 : Kose Corp.Kose takes pride in creating beauty in the world

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

Read more

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER