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December 22, 2024
 

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Michael J. Boskin
With so many voters suffering financially and showing an eagerness to throw politicians out of office, delivering higher living standards appears to be a necessary condition for restoring political stability to the world’s democracies.
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 1, 2024
Political and economic chaos through 'the looking glass'
America is not alone in experiencing an unanticipated upheaval. Five years ago, it seemed inconceivable that a major ground war would occur on the European continent.
How policymakers have responded to past economic crises, such as the 2008-09 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, will shape their preparedness in dealing with future recessions. 
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 8, 2024
Policy lessons from recent economic crises
Eventually, the world will face another recession. How will policymakers use the lessons learned from the 2008-09 financial crisis and COVID-19 pandemic to respond?
While Donald Trump and Joe Biden are both highly unpopular, key economic indicators and recent polls suggest that Biden should be worried about the coming election.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 13, 2024
The anatomy of the Biden-Trump rematch
Trump has an energetic base whereas Biden’s re-election bid generates almost no enthusiasm. Still, many Americans strongly oppose a second Trump term.
Among the issues that defined 2023 were the U.S. economy's "soft landing," the war in Ukraine, Hamas's terrorist attack and explosive advances in AI.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 29, 2023
The most important developments of 2023
The year reminds us that the world is in desperate need of new leaders who are both competent and inspiring.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 3, 2023
The American economy is teetering on the edge
The U.S. economic situation is precarious and much will depend on fiscal and monetary policy. Still, many forecasters expect that a minor recession is coming.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 12, 2023
History repeats in a world of unwelcome replays
From high inflation to a ground war in Europe to widespread technological disruptions, the biggest challenges facing the world today are hardly unprecedented.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 28, 2022
A new year, a new U.S. Congress and new economic risks
Key macroeconomic indicators offer at least a preliminary glimpse of what 2023 may hold in store for the U.S.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 3, 2022
The White House’s adventures in wonderland
Today's fraught geopolitical environment requires more transparency and less spin about the hard choices that governments face.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 26, 2022
It’s the inflation, stupid
Dangerously high inflation has left Americans deeply dissatisfied with the economy and likely to punish the Democrats in this year's midterm elections.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 28, 2022
West’s failed gamble on Russian and Chinese reform
Russia and China shattered the belief that economic liberalization leads inevitably to greater political freedom.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 25, 2022
Biden’s misery index doesn't bode well for Democrats' political fortunes
Democrats are rightly worried that surging inflation will hurt them in the midterm congressional elections this November — and possibly even in the 2024 presidential election.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 28, 2021
Taxing economic credibility
All political leaders feel pressure to try to circumvent the laws of economics or even the laws of arithmetic — as Biden has done by claiming that his Build Back Better bill costs nothing.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 26, 2021
The true costs of government spending
It has long been clear that Biden's spending bill would leave a $1.5 trillion to $3 trillion hole to be filled with debt even after tax hikes.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 27, 2021
Biden’s cruel summer
Democrats are hoping the Afghan debacle will be less salient to voters by November 2022. But the fall of Kabul could have a lasting effect.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 28, 2021
Beware America’s soaring public debt
Though America's gross federal debt now stands at 107% of GDP — a post-WWII record — the Biden administration's 2022 budget will see the country's largest-ever peacetime deficits.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 25, 2020
How does the COVID-19 recession compare?
Although every recession is different, history offers lessons for the current pandemic-induced downturn.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 30, 2020
America's uncertain recovery
Policymakers must boost incentives to work in normal times when jobs are plentiful, while strengthening the safety net for when they are not.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 21, 2020
Is a strong economy enough to re-elect Donald Trump?
The U.S. president must navigate difficult swing states and hope infighting hobbles the Democrats
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 3, 2019
Politics, economics and carbon in 2019
As 2019 begins, leaders must focus on bread-and-butter domestic issues, while moving toward more flexible and decentralized political models capable of governing diverse populations.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 22, 2018
The U.S. economy and the midterms
Even if the economy doesn't affect the election, the election will affect the economy.
Freed anti-whaling campaigner Paul Watson arrives in France
U.S.-Canadian anti-whaling environmental activist Paul Watson, who was released from prison in Greenland's capital Nuuk after five months in detention, arrives with Lamya Essemlali, president of Sea Shepherd France, at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Roissy-en-France, near Paris, on Friday.
Nippon Steel alleges undue White House influence on doomed deal review
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the economy at the Brookings Institution in Washington on Dec. 10.
Record 78% of people in Japan feel anxious, government survey finds
The public opinion survey on people's lives, conducted by the Cabinet Office, found that 28.1% of respondents think that their standard of living is at a lower-middle level among the general public — the highest percentage to give that response in 35 years.
Police raided suspect's home to arrest him after fatal Kitakyushu stabbing
Broken window glass is seen at Masanori Hirabaru's house in Kitakyushu's Kokuraminami Ward.
Taiwan lawmakers brawl over bills that would 'damage democracy'
Lawmakers from the Democratic Progressive Party and opposition party Kuomintang brawl in parliament in Taipei on Friday.
Casual workouts, cool living, ‘complete’ food: Japan’s health trends of 2024
In 2024, efficiency trumped effort among Japan's fitness-focused aspirants.
The mighty Mekong River's growing plastic problem
A group of elephant keepers in Chiang Saen, Thailand, remove plastic waste from the Ruak River, a tributary of the Mekong River, as a pair of Asian elephants bathe behind them.
Japanese officials inspect Yokota Air Base over PFAS concerns
The Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo in September 2019. An inspection of the base by Japanese government officials on Friday came amid public pressure to investigate suspected links between the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam by the U.S. base and contamination of soil and groundwater in western Tokyo.
Crime numbers rise in Japan for second straight year
A police officer stands in front of the residence of a man alleged to have stabbed two junior high school students in Kitakyushu.
A year of Oscar wins and a quiet push for diversity
Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s “Evil Does Not Exist,” released in Japanese theaters in April, sharply dramatizes the clash between rural and urban values. The film won five awards at the 2023 Venice Film Festival, including the second-place Silver Lion prize.

Podcast

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

Longform

Yasuyuki Yoshida stirs a brew in a fermentation tank at his brewery in Hakusan.
The quake that shook Noto's sake brewing tradition
By Alex K.T. Martin

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