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November 29, 2024

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COMMENTARY / World

Aug 1, 2003

Terrorists find new haven in a quiet corner of Asia

By Eric Teo Chu Cheow

SINGAPORE -- The failed mutiny by 300 Philippine Army soldiers, which gripped Manila's financial district for 21 hours on Sunday, highlighted the intricate problem of security and terrorism in Southeast Asia.

EDITORIALS

Aug 1, 2003

More trouble in Manila

As more information emerges about last weekend's failed mutiny in the Philippines, old fears about the stability of the country have resurfaced. The peaceful conclusion of the episode is to be applauded, but charges that the rebellion was a cover for a coup d'etat raised again the specter of instability....

COMMENTARY

Aug 1, 2003

Political roadblock spurs military detour

By Ronald Meinardus

MANILA -- Military interventions in Philippine politics are not a novel phenomenon. The politicization of the armed forces occurred during the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos, when the influence and power of officers were determined not by merit or performance but by political allegiance to factions...

COMMENTARY / World

Aug 1, 2003

Too rich, too complex to be run by slaves

By Kevin Rafferty

HONG KONG -- China's new premier, Wen Jiabao, on his first visit to Hong Kong in his new job gave a resounding speech, declaring that local people were in charge of their own destiny. The question now is whether he meant it and whether the leaders in Beijing are prepared to trust the maturity of Hong...

COMMENTARY / World

Aug 1, 2003

The transmutable Mr. Blair

By David Wall

LONDON -- Prime Minister Tony Blair is back in London after his whirlwind tour of Northeast Asia. For many of us the high point of his tour were the delightful moments at Tsinghua University in Beijing when, following a range of predictable questions that he answered with the usual bromides, he was asked...

EDITORIALS

Jul 31, 2003

'Preemptive' bailout system in doubt

For at least the past six months, the Financial System Council, an advisory panel to Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, has tackled a delicate question: Is it necessary to create a system for bailing out banks "preemptively" so that the government can supply cash to lenders with potential problems? The...

EDITORIALS

Jul 30, 2003

Wanted: clear view of Japan Highway

In recent weeks, Japan Highway Public Corp. has come under intense scrutiny because of its financial status. The pivotal question is whether the corporation, set to go private in 2005, is solvent or not. The answer remains unclear. Two different sets of financial statements -- one "official," the other...

COMMENTARY

Jul 30, 2003

Unwise cuts in Japan studies

By Hugh Cortazzi

LONDON -- Information about Japan and Japanese culture was regrettably limited and unsophisticated for many years after World War II. Influential people in Britain, such as the late Sir Peter Parker, realized that the ignorance and prejudices of British people about Japan were damaging British interests...

EDITORIALS

Jul 29, 2003

Beijing bids farewell to Beidaihe

It is going to be a hot summer for the Chinese leadership. The new leadership, headed by President Hu Jintao, has reportedly decided to end the annual summer meetings at the seaside resort of Beidaihe, where top-ranking officials swam, relaxed and held "informal discussion sessions" that set policy for...

COMMENTARY

Jul 29, 2003

A turning point for ODA

By Keizo Nabeshima

Japan's ODA Charter, which sets forth the basic principles and objectives of the nation's official development assistance, is to be revised for the first time since it was established 11 years ago. The Cabinet is expected to approve an updated version in late August.

EDITORIALS

Jul 28, 2003

Doubts linger as Iraq bill passes

The controversial bill to send Japanese troops to Iraq for humanitarian and security assistance passed the Upper House early Saturday morning despite a last-ditch attempt by the opposition parties to block the procedure. Final approval of the ad hoc measure followed a special committee vote Friday evening....

COMMENTARY / World

Jul 28, 2003

A Tibetan history lesson for China

By George Sioris

CHIANG MAI, Thailand -- With India's recognition of the Tibet Autonomous Region as a part of China -- a corollary result of the recent talks in Beijing between Chinese and Indian leaders -- the region has ceased to be viewed as a historical buffer state between two Asian giants. This is of tremendous...

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Totopa in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward was picked by consultants TTNE as the best sauna of the year.

Japan’s sauna movement: Relax, refresh, repeat

By Greg Dvorak

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

The celebrated artist ‘updating’ the kimono

The celebrated artist ‘updating’ the kimono

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