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Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 16, 2021

For Trump, no conviction, but a historic repudiation

One thing that Trump made clear was that nothing in the constitutional system makes presidents respect the U.S. political system and respond to that system's incentives.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 15, 2021

Iran drops the fig leaf of its nuclear fatwa

The decree was always more political than religious - designed to provide cover for whatever nuclear course was expedient for Tehran at any given time.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Feb 15, 2021

Injured Novak Djokovic accepts risks of playing through pain at Australian Open

Novak Djokovic says it's a 'gamble' to continue playing at the Australian Open and that his abdominal injury could have an impact on the rest of his season.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 13, 2021

History tells us to worry about inflation

One cannot assume that the near future will be like the recent past. The post-pandemic world will offer a first test of whether low inflation is here to stay.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 12, 2021

The Olympics can no longer be run from smoke-filled rooms

The cozy world of male-dominated politics that gave rise to Yoshiro Mori is no match for 21st century corporate sponsorship and athletic diplomacy.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 12, 2021

How 'indispensable' Mori came to enjoy huge influence in politics and sport

The former prime minister had contacts his peers did not and the ability to get things done behind the scenes that leaders in both arenas relied on heavily.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 11, 2021

We need an operation warp speed for the world

More than half of the 12.5 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses planned for delivery this year are spoken for, mostly by developed nations.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 10, 2021

Japan's most famous activist investor steps up takeover battle with Carlyle

Analysts say Yoshiaki Murakami may have a controversial past, but his campaigns generate returns for other stock owners.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 10, 2021

Biden can break from Trump and Obama on Iran

Biden has space to pursue an Iran policy that is neither a reaction to Trump's nor a straightforward continuation of Obama's.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 10, 2021

The nicest Clubhouse on the internet

If you don't already know, Clubhouse is a year-old social media service consisting of virtual 'rooms” where people can talk to each other — by voice.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 10, 2021

New Zealand Maori leader ejected from Parliament for not wearing a necktie

Rawiri Waititi said forcing him to a Western dress code was a breach of his rights and an attempt to suppress indigenous culture.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 9, 2021

Biden calls India's Modi, seeks to strengthen regional security through 'Quad'

U.S. President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed in a telephone call to strengthen Indo-Pacific security through the "Quad" grouping of countries that is seen as a way to push back against China's growing assertiveness in the region.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 9, 2021

The Tesla-Bitcoin singularity is here at last

The casual reference to Tesla taking Bitcoin as payment down the road is like digital catnip, helping to boost the value of that $1.5 billion bet.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 8, 2021

Forget GameStop and scrutinize Chinese listed companies

The U.S. Congress has passed a bill that could ultimately lead to kicking Chinese companies off American exchanges, but it has a generous phase-in period. That may be too long.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 8, 2021

Clubhouse app offers Chinese rare glimpse of censor-free debate

The U.S. app Clubhouse erupted among Chinese social-media users over the weekend, with thousands joining discussions on contentious subjects such as Taiwan and Xinjiang undisturbed by Beijing’s censors.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 7, 2021

The risk of nuclear cataclysm is increasing

To make the global matrix even more complex, there are seven other nuclear powers to consider. Of these North Korea appears most unhinged. But China is the most ambitious.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World / Geoeconomic Briefing
Feb 7, 2021

What is needed to bring back freedom of movement

As Japan struggles to find a way to resume normal life and international travel, a lesson could be learned from Taiwan's approach.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 6, 2021

Don’t give up on remote work, even if you hate it

Some form of location flexibility is probably here to stay. So it's worth the effort to find a way to work from home that you can live with.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 5, 2021

Trump got a space force. Biden should get a cyber force.

To use a military analogy, the initial attack on SolarWinds was a carpet-bombing, which had immediate (if undetected) effects across the entire field of battle.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 4, 2021

China’s latest celebrity scandal hits a raw nerve

The ex-boyfriend of popular Chinese actress Zheng Shuang said on social media that she had abandoned him with two surrogate children in the U.S.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 3, 2021

Did I make a mistake becoming an American?

As an American abroad, my question was personal: Did I make a colossal error five years ago?
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Feb 3, 2021

More than four months into his term, Suga's popularity ebbs as tough decisions await

From controversial coronavirus legislation to the fate of the Tokyo Games, the prime minister's leadership ability and style is under increased scrutiny and criticism.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 3, 2021

Of course the boss cares what you say on Twitter

This isn't about free speech or cancel culture. It's about employability. People who think they have unlimited free speech on social media are deluding themselves about how companies work.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 3, 2021

Olympics as game changer for Japan’s LGBT rights

Japan is a democracy with an active civil society, yet Olympic athletes and visitors may be surprised to learn that there are no national anti-discrimination laws on sexual orientation.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 3, 2021

Biden’s limited options on North Korea

If North Korea's nuclear status is seen to have been normalized, it could trigger a cascade of proliferation across Northeast Asia.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Feb 2, 2021

Ocasio-Cortez recalls Jan. 6 attack, wanting Republicans held to account

Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez described being terrified for her life during the storming of the U.S. Capitol in an emotional broadcast on Monday night, doubling down on calls for Republican politicians to be held accountable.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 1, 2021

Traveler quarantines aren’t going away soon

There are valid objections around privacy and the risk of exacerbating inequalities. Fortunately, good technology and sound policy should be able to surmount both.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 30, 2021

Israel’s vaccine data has lessons for all

Tiny Israel is set to immunize its population months before far bigger and richer countries, partly by ordering early but also by sharing patient information after vaccination.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 29, 2021

WHO team in Wuhan visits hospital that treated early COVID-19 cases

The mission to look at COVID-19's origins has been plagued by delays, concern over access and bickering between China and the United States.

Longform

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