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COMMENTARY
Jun 30, 2003

U.N. strives to control real weapons of mass destruction

In July 2001 the United Nations General Assembly adopted by consensus an action program to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. Two months later, the 9/11 terror attacks hit the United States, shifting the focus to international terrorism and the proliferation...
EDITORIALS
Jun 24, 2003

Threats from the sky and the seas

In late May, a Boeing 727 that had been parked on the Luanda airport tarmac for 14 months lumbered into the Angolan skies and vanished. Nearly a month later, the whereabouts of that plane are still unknown. There is much mystery in African aviation -- the paperwork on many aircraft is questionable --...
BUSINESS
Apr 9, 2003

Details of Iraq's reconstruction seen unlikely to be broached at G7 meet

When finance chiefs and central bankers from major industrialized countries meet in Washington later this week, they probably won't discuss specifics of the rebuilding of Iraq, senior Japanese officials said Tuesday.
EDITORIALS
Dec 26, 2002

Nuclear blackmail won't fly

Once again, North Korea is playing a game of nuclear brinkmanship. In an eerie throwback to 1994, when a nuclear crisis on the Korean Peninsula pushed the United States and North Korea to the brink of war, Pyongyang has removed seals and disabled monitoring cameras at nuclear facilities that had been...
EDITORIALS
Jul 16, 2002

Afghanistan relives its past

The murder of Mr. Abdul Qadir, the vice president of Afghanistan, has heightened fears that the country is sliding once again into chaos. No suspects have been caught in the brazen midday attack, but speculation about the cause runs from a tribal vendetta to an attempt to undermine the government. The...
EDITORIALS
Mar 23, 2002

Taiwan flexes its muscles

There appears to be a new confidence in Taiwan these days. The island government senses new diplomatic opportunities and is wasting no time in exploiting them. That is understandable, but Taipei must also be cautious. Over-reaching will only anger China, which is ever sensitive to the status of the island...
EDITORIALS
Dec 13, 2001

Collapse of a BWC review conference

Despite the perceived threat of biological weapons that has been heightened by the anthrax attacks in the United States, a review conference on the Biological Weapons Convention in Geneva broke down in disarray last weekend. To the angry disappointment of its allies, including Japan, it was the U.S....
COMMENTARY / World / GUEST FORUM
May 31, 2001

Globalization leaves too many casualties in its wake

The forces and processes of globalization -- increased trade liberalization, improved environmental standards and "universal" human rights -- have disillusioned a majority of the world's population. Thanks to the Seattle fiasco and street demonstrations in Prague, it is clear that no matter how hard...
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 29, 2000

Teaming up to make globalization work

This week, at United Nations headquarters in New York, we have made a bit of history. Global leaders from the worlds of business, labor and civil society came together to forge a new coalition in support of universal values. Why is that necessary?
EDITORIALS
Jun 3, 2000

Pointless war in Africa

Most wars are senseless. Some, however, are especially pointless. That is certainly the best way to describe the tragedy that has befallen the African nations of Ethiopia and Eritrea. A poorly demarcated border provided the excuse for a war that two of the world's poorest countries can ill afford. This...
COMMENTARY / World
May 1, 2000

Toward a new world order or disorder?

The spring meeting of the Bretton Woods institutions, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Washington, once again brought to question the state of health of the global economy. The event highlighted the phenomenon of what is perceived as a "guerrilla war" against global corporate structures...
ENVIRONMENT / OUR PLANET EARTH
Apr 24, 2000

Whales, ivory, orangutans and Japanese wildlife policies

The argument goes something like this: Developing countries are just trying to feed their teeming poor and hungry. All they want is a chance to sell what is rightfully theirs to sell. Carefully managed, of course, to ensure "sustainable use."
ENVIRONMENT
Feb 28, 2000

Passion for traditional medicines, exotic pets, promotes illicit trade

Some among us seem to have an insatiable desire for novelty, be it living or dead. From rare primates and endangered tortoises for pets, to tiger bones consumed in pursuit of sexual vitality, Japan is the world's leading consumer of exotic species.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 12, 2000

The right kind of justice for East Timor

The quest for justice in East Timor gathered momentum last week with the submission of reports from two separate investigations into the rampage that occurred last September after the province voted for independence. But the stir raises profound questions of how to deal with transitional justice, pitting...
JAPAN
Oct 29, 1999

JAS earnings climb in first half; JAL's dive

Two of the nation's major airlines watched their unconsolidated earnings travel in opposite directions during the first half of fiscal 1999, with industry leader Japan Airlines Co.'s falling and Japan Air System Co.'s increasing, reports released Friday showed.
EDITORIALS
Feb 10, 1999

Encouraging signs in South Asia

The world was shaken last May when India and then Pakistan conducted underground nuclear tests. Citizens of the two countries danced in the streets as the two governments declared themselves members of the nuclear club. Reaction elsewhere was just as heartfelt, but for entirely different reasons. The...
Japan Times
Special Supplements / Hiroshima G7 Summit Special
May 19, 2023

Japan offers comprehensive assistance for Ukraine

The simmering conflict between Russia and Ukraine that actually began in 2014 exploded into a full-on invasion in late February 2022. Japan responded immediately, condemning Russia’s incursion and sending an array of financial, humanitarian and nonlethal aid to Ukraine. The exodus of refugees from...
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Apr 14, 2023

Top diplomats to zero in on China and Ukraine challenges at G7 summit

At the Karuizawa summit, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi is expected to stress that European and Indo-Pacific security are inseparable.
Japan Times
Special Supplements / Davos special 2023
Jan 14, 2023

Cooperation needed to tackle future global challenges

The World Economic Forum’s meeting in Davos is finally back in full swing in the snow-capped Swiss Alps after an almost three-year hiatus.
Japan Times
WORLD
Dec 25, 2022

Putin wants fealty, and he’s found it in Africa

With his invasion of Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin of Russia unleashed a new disorder on the world. And in the Central African Republic, Moscow already has its way.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Dec 5, 2022

Forget 'Cool Japan,' just make it your Japan

'Cool Japan' ambassador and critic Benjamin Boas reimagines efforts to promote the nation's brand abroad in his new book, “From u2018Cool Japan' to u2018Your Japan.'”
Japan Times
WORLD / FOCUS
Nov 24, 2022

Some Russian commanders knew of sexual violence or encouraged it, lawyer advising Kyiv says

Ukrainian authorities say the numbers of victims is likely to be far greater than estimated because parts of the country remain occupied and victims are often reluctant to come forward.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Nov 14, 2022

Biden and Xi clash on Taiwan but find common ground on Ukraine

The two leaders sought to lower the temperature as they met for around three hours, with the presidents both saying they wanted to prevent high tensions from spilling over into conflict.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 14, 2022

Asia's richest man challenges China in show of support for Modi

With Sri Lanka in the throes of its worst economic crisis since independence, India is re-engaging and attempting to tilt the balance in a strategic tussle with China.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World / Geoeconomic Briefing
Nov 7, 2022

How can Japan engage with Pacific nations amid U.S.-China competition?

The Pacific islands are strategically important for Japan, as they are located on access routes to like-minded nations and lie near vital submarine cables.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World / Geoeconomic Briefing
Oct 3, 2022

How effective are the West's sanctions on Russia?

With Russia still able to sell crude oil and gas to other nations, the country is still pulling in money to fund its war in Ukraine, leaving the real effect of economic sanctions unclear.
Japan Times
WORLD
Sep 23, 2022

Russia starts annexation vote in parts of Ukraine

The results are seen as a foregone conclusion in favor of annexation, and Ukraine and its allies have already made clear they will not recognize the results.
Japan Times
WORLD
Sep 7, 2022

‘Playing with fire’: U.N. team calls for no-fire zone at Ukraine nuclear plant

In a highly anticipated report, nuclear experts who inspected Europe's largest nuclear plant called for Russia and Ukraine to halt all military activity around the complex.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Aug 18, 2022

U.S. envoy vows military operations will continue in Taiwan Strait despite Chinese warnings

The top U.S. diplomat for Asia said any moves by China to prevent the operations would be “deeply destabilizing,” a day after Beijing's envoy to Washington warned against such operations.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan / Geoeconomic Briefing
Aug 14, 2022

How Japan is building on U.S. policy for economic security

A number of factors have left Tokyo unable to maintain its industrial competitiveness and security through existing policies.

Longform

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