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Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 24, 2020

What is driving Asia’s technological rise?

India alone produced three-quarters of the world's science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduates between 2016 and 2018.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 23, 2020

The Brussels effect comes for Big Tech

To avoid the cost of complying with multiple regulatory regimes around the world, companies often extend EU rules to their operations globally.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Dec 22, 2020

How has COVID-19 changed Japan's pop culture? Episode 2: Isolate

When COVID-19 brought about a stay-at-home spring, Animal Crossing provided us with a digital island escape.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 22, 2020

New tricks and old truths for the world’s second oldest profession: spying

The SolarWinds attack was a supply chain hack. One of the most successful U.S. espionage programs of the Cold War was a 20th-century version of this attack.
JAPAN
Dec 21, 2020

Ezra Vogel, Harvard professor and author of 'Japan as Number One,' dies at 90

In Japan and among international scholars of the country, the 1979 text penned by the U.S. expert on Japan and China became one of the late 20th century's most influential works.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / 2020 in review
Dec 19, 2020

Our critics’ favorite books published in 2020

As 2021 approaches, six Japan Times book reviewers look back on their top reads released in English this year.
Japan Times
JAPAN / History / THE LIVING PAST
Dec 19, 2020

Thoughts on healing from the Heian Period

The psychology of health in 'The Tale of Genji' suggests that enlightenment may be the cure for what ails you.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 17, 2020

Bringing the MSDF to Ishigaki Island amid China’s ramped-up territorial ambitions

Ishigaki Island voters have a keen awareness of national security needs. This is especially true in recent years as China's territorial ambitions toward the Senkaku Islands
Japan Times
TENNIS
Dec 17, 2020

How putting on a mask raised Naomi Osaka’s voice

In 2020, Osaka found her voice and the self-possession to speak up when and how she saw fit, a massive leap for the global superstar.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 16, 2020

Should we let algorithms make life-and-death decisions?

Nature does not optimize; it co-evolves. It performs much better than human society in terms of sustainability and circular supply networks.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 15, 2020

The U.S. Pacific Deterrence Initiative: A chance to turn the corner in Asia

This year's NDAA includes the Pacific Deterrence Initiative , which while a virtual drop in the budget — at $2.2 billion — is a potentially big deal for regional security.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / Women of Taste
Dec 12, 2020

Want a deeper understanding of Tokyo’s culinary landscape? Just ask Yukari Sakamoto.

The first non-Japanese to become a shu014dchu016b advisor, this chef, sommelier and tour guide built her career on sharing Tokyo's best with the world.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Dec 12, 2020

For Biden’s economic team, an early focus on climate

One issue that could distinguish Biden's core economic team from its predecessors? Climate change.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / CULTURE SMASH
Dec 10, 2020

Sibling duo Lastlings finds its musical muse in Japan

The half-Japanese, half-Australian siblings, who experienced relentless teasing while growing up in Australia, took refuge in music and created their own blend of electro-pop.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 10, 2020

Biden lacks strategic clarity on China

Aiding China's rise was the greatest mistake of U.S. foreign policy in the post-World War II period. The U.S. actively contributed to the rise of its most formidable competitor
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 8, 2020

Zombie companies feed off the living

Like their namesakes, zombies feed off the living. They are companies that should close their doors but don't, cannibalizing healthy businesses, depriving them of customers and income.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 8, 2020

Has Bacardi solved the world’s plastic problem?

Various types of plastic react differently during the recycling process. If two different types are mixed together, the output will be a mishmash of limited economic value.
Japan Times
WORLD
Dec 8, 2020

Chuck Yeager, 'Right Stuff' test pilot who broke sound barrier, dead at 97

Chuck Yeager, the steely "Right Stuff" test pilot who took aviation to the doorstep of space by becoming the first person to break the sound barrier more than 70 years ago, died on Monday at the age of 97.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 7, 2020

Is Hong Kong heading toward a Russian-style electoral system?

Dictators have realized that the most effective form of governance in the modern era is not an iron fist, but a birdcage with limited freedom.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 7, 2020

India accuses China of helping rebel groups on Myanmar border

The increased activity along the Myanmar border has sparked concern in New Delhi that India's military is becoming stretched as tensions remain with China and Pakistan.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Dec 5, 2020

‘36 Views of Mount Fuji’: Self-discovery through shifts in perspective

Cathy N. Davidson's memoir is a thoughtful and compelling account of a woman gaining a deeper understanding of herself and Japan through her travels.
Japan Times
JAPAN / History
Dec 4, 2020

He escaped death as a kamikaze pilot. 70 years later, he told his story.

Kazuo Odachi hid his wartime past from almost everyone, but finally published his memoirs, which were recently released in English.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Dec 3, 2020

‘Mrs. Noisy’: Loving your neighbor can be tough

Chihiro Amano's humorous film about rowdy next-door neighbors coming to blows makes a well-meaning plea for tolerance and kindness toward others.
PODCAST / deep dive
Dec 2, 2020

Episode 75: What will a Joe Biden presidency mean for Japan?

Sheila A. Smith joined us from Washington earlier this week to give her take on what a Biden presidency might mean for Japan going forward.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 2, 2020

The message of Islamist beheadings

Jihadis represent a tiny minority of the world's Muslims. But, by making clear their willingness to behave inhumanely, they have ensured that few dare defy them.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 2, 2020

Signs of dissent within Thai military as protests grow

Social media is exposing discontent among some soldiers, police and civil servants after months of protests against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha and the monarchy.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 1, 2020

China’s hard line against Australia is a lesson for us all

Australia is the proverbial canary in the coal mine — and wolves eat canaries in one bite.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 1, 2020

A triumph of German innovation and immigration

The great advantage of BioNTech's approach is that it allows for the production of more than one billion vaccine doses within the space of just a few months.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Nov 28, 2020

'There's No Such Thing as an Easy Job': How hard is it to find meaning in the modern workplace?

In Kikuko Tsumura's surreal and humorous novel, “There's No Such Things as an Easy Job,” an unnamed narrator sets her sights on trivial work after giving up her 14-year career.

Longform

A man offers prayers at Hebikubo Shrine in Tokyo's Shinagawa Ward. The shrine is one of several across the country dedicated to the snake.
Shed your skin and reinvent yourself in the Year of the Snake