author

 
Menu
Search
 
July 16, 2024
 

Today's print edition

Home Delivery
Subscribe for more access
Michael MacArthur Bosack

Meta

Michael MacArthur Bosack
Members of the Ground Self-Defense Force disembark from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during a live fire exercise in Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, in May 2022.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 23, 2023
Kishida's proposed tax cuts put higher defense spending on hold
The plan to raise defense spending partly through tax hikes has been put on ice. In fact, it was never likely to deliver fast results.
Japan faces tough choices amid the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas. The issue now is how Tokyo will navigate the conflict.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 12, 2023
Hamas tests the limits of Japan's Israel-Palestine policy
Japan is the lone outlier in the Group of Seven, condemning the Hamas attacks but also expressing concern over potential casualties in the Gaza Strip.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's administration faces discontent within the ruling coalition, mounting frustration from conservative elements in the LDP and persistently low public approval ratings.
COMMENTARY
Oct 10, 2023
As cracks form, Kishida’s political ship takes on water
The Kishida administration faces discontent within the ruling coalition, frustration from LDP conservatives and and low public approval ratings.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and members of his new Cabinet at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Wednesday
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 14, 2023
More flash than substance in Kishida’s Cabinet reshuffle
The reshuffle was consistent with past Liberal Democratic Party practices and portends a continuation of status quo policies and initiatives.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 24, 2023
Why a snap election might be looming for Japan
Kishida has denied that he is considering a snap election; but then again, so does every Japanese prime minister when asked about the timing for such a vote.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 19, 2023
The significance of the new Japan-China defense hotline
In a dire situation with great danger and/or worsening conditions, the Japan-China hotline is important because nobody wants to figure out who to call or have to search for the right number.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 10, 2023
Stronger Japan-NATO ties were bound to happen
Russia’s war in Ukraine and regional Chinese aggression have accelerated the maturation of the Japan-NATO relationship, but the wheels were set in motion following the fall of the Soviet Union.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 25, 2023
Japan’s political landscape after the unified elections
The ruling LDP and its junior coalition partner saw most of their candidates succeed across the country in Sunday's unified elections. The exception is where Nippon Ishin no Kai surged.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 15, 2023
Questions mount as Kishida attack brings sense of deja vu
While the incident occurred without the same tragic consequences of the assassination of Shinzo Abe last year, the shocking event leaves many unanswered questions.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 22, 2023
Kishida breaks new ground in visit to Ukraine
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has effectively paved the way for future Japanese leaders to demonstrate Japanese leadership abroad with his visit to Ukraine.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 10, 2023
Preparing the SDF for tomorrow’s fight and today’s needs
How does the SDF balance between posturing for the combat operations of tomorrow and the disaster relief missions of today?
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 2, 2023
The paradox that is Fumio Kishida’s leadership
Lucky for Prime Minister Kishida, the Japanese public does not see a viable alternative to the LDP for running the government.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 16, 2023
Fumio Kishida is succeeding abroad but failing at home
Kishida's polling numbers remain in the “caution area,” and there seems to be little opportunity for him to turn things around before local elections in April.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 17, 2023
Key takeaways from Japan-U.S. talks worth noting
The fact that Japan and the U.S. do not require continuous renegotiation of their standing agreements is an important one, and shows the strength of the alliance.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 5, 2023
Prime Minister Kishida’s 2023 survival strategy
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has a tough road ahead, but he is politically savvy and has been adept at making the moves necessary to remain in office so far.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan / Perspectives
Dec 23, 2022
What to make of Japan’s new defense documents
Nothing in Japan's new defense documents signals an abandonment of the core principles of its security, but a refinement of roles and capabilities to match modern needs.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 13, 2022
The politics of Japan's defense spending
When Japan first imposed the 1% of GDP defense-spending ceiling , the issue has been a matter of politics and any attempt to breach that threshold has been taboo.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 16, 2022
Is the clock running out for the prime minister?
Will Prime Minister Fumio Kishida be able to recover from his political troubles, or is he on a path to join the party's long list of short-lived prime ministers?
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 25, 2022
Key takeaways from the Australia-Japan summit
The Australia-Japan summit in Perth was big on deliverables, focusing on security cooperation, China and values.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 12, 2022
Nepotism and Japan's political dynasties
The appointment of Fumio Kishida's son as an executive secretary in the Prime Minister's Office has prompted a backlash and is raising questions about nepotism.
Who needs AI when you have Hatsune Miku?
Over the first six months of 2024, a handful of songs using Vocaloid singer Hatsune Miku’s voice have enjoyed widespread attention, underlining a global interest in the character and the technology she represents.
Bloodied Trump survives assassination attempt at political rally
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is surrounded and evacuated by Secret Service agents at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. Trump was rushed off stage at the rally after shots rang out.
Shooter came within inches of killing Trump, but left few clues as to why
An aerial view shows the stage where Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump had been standing during an assassination attempt the day before, and the roof of a nearby building where a gunman was shot dead by law enforcement, in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Sunday.
Yen’s woes seem too big for even a BOJ hike this month to solve
The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo
How to beat Japan’s summer heat in ways better for the planet
Tenugui towels hang up to dry at a dyeing company in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on May 8. The durable and versatile tenugui, which many people have in their homes, can be used in many ways to cool one’s body.
How to beat Japan’s summer heat in ways better for the planet
Tenugui towels hang up to dry at a dyeing company in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on May 8. The durable and versatile tenugui, which many people have in their homes, can be used in many ways to cool one’s body.
After Trump shooting, U.S. presidential race might take a violent turn
United States Secret Service Counter Snipers stand guard on a rooftop during a campaign rally for U.S. President Donald Trump in Avoca, Pennsylvania, in 2020.
No AC this summer? No problem (for me).
Think air conditioning is a requirement for a Tokyo summer? Think again.
She’s paying ¥1 million to help behind the scenes at the Paris Olympics
Mai Tarumi, who previously volunteered at the postponed Tokyo Olympics in 2021, has a travel budget of ¥1 million for her trip to volunteer at the Paris Games.
How to tweak your diet when temperatures spike
Most people think of hydration as a strictly liquid-based concept, but eating foods with high water content is an essential part of making it through a Japanese summer unscathed.

Podcast

You can often see generations of families enjoying performances together at Fuji Rock Festival.
Japan’s summer music festivals are feeling the heat in more ways than one

Longform

Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'
By Tomoko Otake

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Exploring Japanese culturevia Tohoku’s festivals
Exploring Japanese culturevia Tohoku’s festivals

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

Read more

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER