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Glen S. Fukushima
COMMENTARY
Mar 25, 2002
There's more to a name than meets the eye
As someone who has crossed the Pacific Ocean over 450 times since 1956, I am constantly fascinated by the similarities and differences between the United States and Japan. Among the challenges facing someone who lives in both societies is that what is so positive in one country can often be so negative...
CULTURE / Music
Sep 26, 2001
Asian Youth Orchestra brings vigor and virtuosity
Asian Youth Orchestra Aug. 31, Sergiu Comissiona conducting the Asian Youth Orchestra in the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall -- "Russlan and Ludmilla" Overture (Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka, 1804-57); Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in E Minor, Op. 64 (Felix Mendelssohn, 1809-47) featuring Leila Josefowicz;...
COMMENTARY
Mar 28, 2001
Understanding 'leadership' in Japan
An American scholar who recently proposed writing a book about leadership in Japan was told by his colleagues, "A book? You'll be lucky to find enough material to write a chapter, or more likely a newspaper article, on the subject!"
COMMENTARY
Feb 9, 2001
Which 'global standard'?
At the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland last month, Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara reportedly attracted more attention than Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori.
COMMENTARY
Jan 18, 2001
Bush faces an expectation gap
The emergence of George W. Bush as winner in the 2000 U.S. presidential election is creating an "expectation gap" between Japan and the United States.
COMMENTARY
Aug 19, 2000
Labor challenges for Japan
Since the end of the Cold War -- symbolized by the collapse of the Berlin Wall on Nov. 9, 1989 -- "globalization" has become the world's most controversial subject. But what does "globalization" mean?
COMMENTARY
Aug 2, 2000
A decade of transformation
The 37th annual U.S.-Japan Business Conference that met in Tokyo last month reflected the vast changes that have taken place in the U.S.-Japan economic relationship over the past 10 years.
COMMENTARY
Jun 14, 2000
The chancy politics of weather
In less than two weeks, on Sunday, June 25, Japanese voters will cast their ballots in what will be Japan's last general election of the 20th century. This may well turn out to be the most important Japanese general election since July 18, 1993, which resulted in the inauguration, on Aug. 9 of that year,...
COMMENTARY
Apr 6, 2000
Still searching for balance
Every spring, the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan sends a delegation to Washington, D.C. to meet with senior U.S. administration officials and key members of Congress to discuss issues of concern to the U.S. business community in Japan. Participating in the ACCJ visit last month for the seventh...
COMMENTARY
Mar 9, 2000
Telecommunications matters
Telecommunications has long been a contentious issue between the United States and Japan. This is because although Americans believe that the U.S. has the most advanced and most competitive telecommunications system in the world, market penetration in Japan for U.S. equipment suppliers and service providers...
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 5, 2000
Japan changes -- its own way
"Is Japan changing?" This is the question asked by virtually every recent visitor to Japan. The question reveals both the long-standing desire by many non-Japanese to see Japan change in fundamental ways and the heightened expectations fostered by years of hope-inducing Japanese rhetoric that the country...

Longform

Sociologist Gracia Liu-Farrer argues that even though immigration doesn't figure into Japan's autobiography, it is more of a self-perception than a reality.
In search of the ‘Japanese dream’