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Andrew MacAskill
For Andrew MacAskill's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Israel's Iron Dome antimissile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, on Jan 15.
WORLD / Politics
Apr 19, 2024
In any air war, Israel's defenses would trump Iran's, but at a high cost
Iran's obsolete air force means Israel would have few problems striking back, but diplomatic and strategic costs serve as a strong deterrent.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak inside 10 Downing Street in central London on Sunday
WORLD / Politics
Apr 16, 2024
British PM Sunak's Rwanda deportation plan set to pass Parliament
Britain's prime minister says he is "highly confident" his plans to deport asylum-seekers to Rwanda will work.
Police patrol the Champs Elysees in Paris last month amid security concerns following a deadly knife attack in northern France.
WORLD
Nov 25, 2023
Gaza war raises risk of Islamist extremism in Europe
Intelligence in five European countries including Britain, Germany and France said they are increasing surveillance of Islamist militants.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks during Prime Minister's Questions, at the House of Commons in London on Wednesday.
WORLD / Politics
Jul 21, 2023
British PM Rishi Sunak avoids wipeout in key local elections
By-elections were seen as an indicator of the two main parties' prospects at a time when voters are struggling with high inflation, strikes and rising mortgage rates.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jul 21, 2023
Sunak avoids wipeout in key local elections
By-elections were seen as an indicator of the two main parties' prospects at a time when voters are struggling with high inflation, strikes and rising mortgage rates.
Japan Times
WORLD
Sep 19, 2022
Leaders and monarchs gather for final farewell to Queen Elizabeth
Hundreds of thousands of people lined up to file past the casket of Britain's longest-reigning monarch at London's historic Westminster Hall during her lying-in-state.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jul 11, 2022
How Boris Johnson helped Ukraine with its weapons shopping
Britain's leadership will be at a point of transition as Russia is steadily gaining ground in what Moscow calls a 'special operation.'
Japan Times
WORLD
Jun 24, 2022
U.K. signals willingness to de-mine and help export grain from Ukraine
Russia's invasion of Ukraine and blockade of its Black Sea ports has prevented the country from exporting much of the more than 20 million metric tons of grain stored in its silos.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jun 7, 2022
Boris Johnson clings to power, but question now is for how long
After years of weathering sex scandals, gaffes and missteps, the British prime minister, a relative loner in the Conservative Party, might be running out of road.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jun 1, 2022
Johnson faces new threat of confidence vote over lockdown parties
A damning official report published last week detailed a series of illegal parties at Johnson's Downing Street office during COVID-19 lockdowns.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Apr 29, 2022
Local elections could spell end of the party for U.K.'s Johnson
Conservative lawmakers are wondering if Johnson is still an electoral asset, and a poor showing in local elections next Thursday might provoke a leadership challenge.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 19, 2022
Johnson under pressure amid reports of looming leadership challenge
As many as 20 Conservative lawmakers plan to submit letters of no confidence in Johnson after an angry backlash over claims parties were held at his residence during COVID-19 lockdowns.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Nov 30, 2021
As China menaces Taiwan, the island's friends aid its secretive submarine project
Taipei has stealthily sourced technology, components and talent from at least seven nations to help it build a fleet with the potential to exact a heavy toll on any Chinese attack.
Japan Times
WORLD / FOCUS
Nov 5, 2021
Johnson's COVID-19 gambit steers Britain's health care system into uncharted waters
Britain, its hospitals and its COVID-19 strategy are under the microscope as the country enters the dangerous winter period.
Japan Times
WORLD
Mar 27, 2021
How a coronavirus variant tore through an English island and spread globally
The so-called Kent or U.K. variant has now been reported in more than 100 countries and recent research has shown that it is not only more contagious but also more deadly.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Mar 20, 2021
The ex-Pfizer scientist who became an anti-vaccination hero
In recent months, Michael Yeadon has emerged as an unlikely hero of the so-called anti-vaxxers, whose adherents question the safety of many vaccines, including for the coronavirus.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health / FOCUS
Dec 27, 2020
How a British COVID-19 vaccine went from pole position to troubled start
A review of records and interviews with scientists and industry figures gives a detailed account of what went wrong with the Oxford-AstraZeneca study.
Japan Times
WORLD
May 10, 2018
With vote for single market, U.K.'s Prime Minister May suffers 13th defeat in House of Lords over Brexit
The upper chamber of Parliament inflicted another embarrassing defeat this week on the government of U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May, challenging her plan to leave the European Union's single market and her government's fixed timing for Brexit.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 2, 2015
Pakistani boat laden with explosives blows up off Indian coast
A Pakistani fishing boat laden with explosives bound for India blew up, killing all four people on board, after the Indian Coast Guard tried to stop and search it, the Indian government said on Friday.

Longform

Historically, kabuki was considered the entertainment of the merchant and peasant classes, a far cry from how it is regarded today.
For Japan's oldest kabuki theater, the show must go on