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Noah Smith
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 22, 2016
Let Japan's zombie firms die
If Japan wants to generate long-term growth, it needs to allow creative destruction. New companies can't grow when they are blocked by failing incumbents.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 20, 2016
Petroleum's plunge is great news for most of us
The initial shock from the oil collapse might be negative, but it will be outweighed by the positive effects before too long.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 5, 2016
Free Japan's universities so they can flourish
If Japan's bureacracy really loves the country's universities, it should end its micromanaging and set them free.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 4, 2016
Ex-colonies aren't poor because of West's plunder
The era of resource theft by rich countries is over and done. Yet still, somehow, many resource-rich former colonies remain poor despite controlling their own wealth.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 14, 2015
Putting a price tag on U.S. gun violence
Would the economic benefit of stricter gun control in the U.S. outweigh the economic cost?
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 1, 2015
Reviving Japan Inc.'s entertainment division
If Japan had its own cartoon-and-comics-driven Hollywood, it would increase its global cultural clout and give the economy a much needed boost.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 30, 2015
Japan's looming debt nightmare won't fix itself
Given that its long-term potential real GDP growth is no more than 1 percent, Japan needs to rein in its ballooning national debt through spending cuts or tax hikes.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 23, 2015
The nation needs workers, and women are ready
'Womenomics' has a chance to succeed, mostly because of Japan's demographic shortcomings rather than an earnest desire by companies to treat women better.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 15, 2015
The decline and fall of America's working class
Why are mortality rates rising for American working-class whites?
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 7, 2015
Like the suburbs? You'll love driverless cars
Driverless cars are on the way, and their impact is going to change our lives.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 1, 2015
'Abenomics' is doing fine
The economy is slowing due to factors totally outside of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's control — demographics and China.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 21, 2015
Does it matter that Japan got downgraded?
The Japanese sovereign downgrade isn't a meaningful development and markets will ignore it.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 7, 2015
China's institutions are beginning to hold it back
China's system of political-party-based property rights will probably prevent it from becoming a truly rich country.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 20, 2015
Job only half-done for Japan's working women
Women are entering Japan's workforce in greater numbers, but are still largely being shunted into low-paying, low-benefit jobs.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 10, 2015
How Japan can help India solve its infrastructure woes
Japan may be key to solving India's infrastructure woes — as a source of expertise and a source of funds.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 3, 2015
Is productivity the secret to a great economy?
Could the rise in intellectual property laws be driving down economic productivity?
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 31, 2015
Japan's Enron reckoning
The Toshiba scandal should be an impetus for the Abe government to do even more to improve corporate governance.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 15, 2015
Don't write off Canada's superpower potential
Keep an eye on the big country to the north of the U.S. — it could be headed for very important, very good things.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 5, 2015
Americans understand free trade's dark side
The American people are intelligent and grown-up enough to hear the basic case against free trade, as well as the case in favor.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 28, 2015
Closing America's black-white achievement gap
The black-white achievement gap in the U.S. can be slain by better education.

Longform

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