Masamichi Hanabusa - The Japan Times

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Masamichi Hanabusa

For Masamichi Hanabusa's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

Japan Times

COMMENTARY / Japan

Oct 1, 2018

Five reasons to take Putin's treaty suggestion seriously

Japan and Russia should aim for a compromise on the territorial dispute so they can reap the benefits of better bilateral ties.

Japan Times

COMMENTARY / Japan

Jun 20, 2018

Impressions on the Trump-Kim summit

Japan must cooperate as much as possible with the denuclearization of North Korea, fully mindful of the positive impact it will have on its own security.

Japan Times

COMMENTARY / Japan

Oct 23, 2017

How Japan could respond to the North Korean threat

Japan cannot afford to slumber in pseudo-peace while leaving this issue for other nations to resolve.

COMMENTARY / Japan

Jul 10, 2014

Abe's defense policy from a historical perspective

Since Japan, unlike China, neither possesses nor desires nuclear weapons, Japan's use of military power in East Asia has its limits. Therefore, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's decision to let Japan exercise the right of 'collective self-defense' is limited in scope and should not alarm countries that have no intention of attacking Japan or the U.S.

COMMENTARY / World

Aug 11, 2005

Long-term value of new peace memorial

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visits to Yasukuni Shrine have unduly been compounded as a diplomatic issue in Japan's relations with China and South Korea. It seems that Chinese and Korean leaders consider the visits supportive of moves by some Japanese to "legitimize the wrongs of the past."

COMMENTARY / World

Apr 28, 2005

Has China learned a lesson?

It is naturally welcome that Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan and President Hu Jintao of China reaffirmed in Jakarta that friendly Japan-China relations are desirable not only for the two countries but also for Asia at large. It is beyond doubt that good Japan-China relations promote peace and prosperity in this region. This objective, however, is achievable only through faithful endeavors by the two countries concerned.

COMMENTARY / World

Dec 29, 2004

Alternative to fading away

In the annals of mankind, various nations that rose and fell over centuries are recognized for what they left for posterity. The Romans laid the foundations of Western civilization with Roman Law and built the infrastructure that enabled the spread of Christianity. The world owes the British for the parliamentary system of democracy. The Americans will probably go down in history as the nation that developed the most destructive military power.

COMMENTARY / World

Aug 19, 2004

Keep relations with U.S. in perspective

Undeniably the United States is very important to Japan. Nevertheless, I have detected some worrying signs in the present state of Japan-U.S. relations. More frequently than before, we hear people argue that good relations with the U.S. is an objective in itself. In addition, many Japanese unwittingly equate good Japan-U.S. relations with what Americans consider "good."

COMMENTARY / World

Sep 12, 2003

U.S. can still turn it around

Two years have passed since hateful acts of terrorism shook America to its core and moved it toward a force-oriented and unilateralist world policy. This writer detests and condemns the cruel oppression by the Saddam Hussein regime against its people in Iraq and against its neighbors over the years.

COMMENTARY / World

Mar 22, 2003

Saddening absence of options for Japan

I don't wish to speculate on why the United States has embarked on a war against Iraq at this time. What is clear is that U.S. President George W. Bush and the influential aides in his administration believed -- without appearing to entertain the slightest doubt -- that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is dangerous and that an Iraq under his leadership would soon move to harm U.S. national interests.

COMMENTARY / World

Jan 25, 2003

The world needs a new nuclear doctrine

After getting its first taste of an atomic holocaust in 1945, mankind has made various efforts to avoid nuclear calamity by enforcing a stalemate based on the doctrine of mutual assured destruction and an international agreement against nuclear proliferation.

COMMENTARY / World

Sep 1, 2002

U.S. faces bigger issues than hitting Iraq

In America, a military attack against Iraq to remove President Saddam Hussein from power seems to be a foregone conclusion. U.S. newspaper reports have been rife with various battle plans proposed by the generals.

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.

[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

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

By Lance Henderstein

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

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