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Chikako Nakayama
For Chikako Nakayama's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 5, 2015
Survival of 'freedom, democracy'
From top to bottom, Japanese society seems to be growing more introverted and to be shedding its openness toward the outside world. Can the ideal of "freedom and democracy" survive this trend?
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 8, 2014
Economics of 'memento mori'
The primary role of taxes — the redistribution of money for social security and welfare purposes — has been neglected, hidden by the more pressing need to reduce debt.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 30, 2014
To err on the side of caution
It is not fair to underestimate compensation for disaster damage in the name of general interest. This is an area where ordinary cost calculations should be discarded.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 2, 2014
Ray of hope for democrats
For those Japanese who grumble about low voter turnouts in local and national elections, or who complain about the secretive character of political procedures, the open, democratic process of the recent Scottish referendum on independence was an object of envy.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 4, 2014
Profiting off our biocapital
We must be watchful of attempts by DNA testing services to sell the private data they've accumulated from people to other companies for their own profit.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 11, 2014
Building global support for a new economic balance
The proposed BRICS-led development bank sounds promising for developing countries in Asia and Africa, as it may exercise indirect influence on the activities of those development banks that reflect the intentions of their national governments.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 26, 2014
Deceptive labor shortages
Is Japan experiencing a real economic recovery or an attempt by the Abe administration to cheer people up with the appearance of lively labor markets?
COMMENTARY / World
May 29, 2014
World Cup without succor
International sports events such as the upcoming World Cup Championship in Brazil have become a severe burden on host countries. Haven't we had enough of this slapstick?
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 2, 2014
Rethinking Japan's whaling
Although many Japanese seem indifferent to the question of whether they can get whale meat, pro and con reactions in and out of Japan will affect those who still live by whale hunting on a local scale.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 1, 2014
The bitcoin rhapsody to continue
Attempts to save on remittance fees by using bitcoins could lead to an addiction, which in turn risks the loss of one's savings.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 4, 2014
Our beastly post-Fukushima age
We have to remember the Fukushima nuclear disaster from the perspective of how Japan's system for providing meat, vegetables, rice, fish and other foods is still suffering as a result.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 3, 2014
Uphold basic living standards
To attain a national minimum for social welfare, some urge introducing a basic income — provision of a fixed sum of money to each citizen — to replace social security, which covers only needy people.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 2, 2014
Public's reaction to 'betrayal'
In light of the recent enact of the state secrets protectiion law, it is urgent that Japan improve its handling and disclosure of government information.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 5, 2013
Economics that aids people
Confronted with a worldwide, systemic economic crisis, isn't it time we rethink the foundation of mainstream economic theory and move to change the way we measure the quality of life for mankind?
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 5, 2013
Perseverance an effective weapon for activists in Japan
As in other developed countries, there are many cases of steady and long-enduring social activism in Japan, but they have remained largely unknown until recently.

Longform

A statue of "Dragon Ball" character Goku stands outside the offices of Bandai Namco in Tokyo. The figure is now as recognizable as such characters as Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man.
Akira Toriyama's gift to the world