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Chris Patten
For Chris Patten's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 12, 2023
Protecting truth and democracy
Liberal democracies do not always live up to their ideal, but the fact that voters can remove leaders who transgress expectations is the source of their strength.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World / The Year Ahead: Reckonings
Dec 30, 2021
Post-peak China at a crossroads
Has Beijing squandered the years of power China had gained because of its economic strength and the problems faced by Western countries since the 2008 global financial crisis?
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 25, 2016
Britain facing a watershed year
A vote against EU membership, especially in such a dangerous international environment, would truly be an irrational move for Britain.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 26, 2010
Cool head for the hottest issues
LONDON — Reading Barack Obama's "Dreams From My Father," the U.S. president's beautifully written reflections on his early life and identity, most people are struck by his cool and intellectual approach. This is not to say that he is unemotional. Obama can rage and weep. But he rarely seems to act on the basis of raw sentiment or instinctive prejudice.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 31, 2008
Hopes for next president
LONDON — Around the world, America's presidential election campaign has attracted as much attention as domestic political controversies in each of our countries. The interest the world has taken in America's vote is the best example of America's soft power, and a lesson in democracy from the world's only superpower.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 29, 2008
Credit Sarkozy for working to revive a club
OXFORD, England — Maybe it is time to be a bit more generous to French President Nicolas Sarkozy and look at the outcome of what he does rather than the way he does it.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 29, 2008
Same ol' world after Bush
LONDON — There is a marvelous painting by Brueghel in the Brussels art gallery. British poet W.H. Auden was sufficiently impressed to write a poem about it: Icarus, his wings melted, is plunging to a watery grave. But the world goes on. Peasants continue with their lives, plowing their fields. They show no interest in the dramatic fall.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 3, 2008
Lectures from steak-lovers hard to stomach
London — I feel a little sorry for U.S. President George W. Bush. Whatever his other many failings, he has a pretty good record on aid to poor countries, particularly in health care. True to form, he recently announced a big increase in U.S. food aid good for the hungry poor and good for American farmers.

Longform

High-end tourism is becoming more about the kinds of experiences that Japan's lesser-known places can provide.
Can Japan lure the jet-set class off the beaten path?