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Paul de Vries
For Paul de Vries's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 19, 2021
Tokyo: One of the few cities capable of holding the Olympics amid pandemic
The athletes, officials and members of the press will import the virus into an Olympic host city during an ongoing pandemic. That can only be assumed.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 22, 2020
COVID-19 versus Japan's culture of collectivism
Has the nation's group mentality helped it weather the coronavirus storm?
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 12, 2018
Eight decades on, no end in sight to Nanjing toll row
A mutually acceptable accounting of the Nanjing controversy is a matter perhaps best left to wiser generations to resolve.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 14, 2017
For the U.S., Japan was the foe and China the prize
The Pacific War was a struggle between imperial powers for control of imperial possessions.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 7, 2016
Pearl Harbor was a sneak attack but hardly a surprise
In truth, the outbreak of war between the United States and Japan astonished very few at all.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA
May 25, 2016
U.S. sees wars' end through the prism of Hiroshima
Post-World War II belief that anything less than unconditional surrender is defeat has cost the U.S. dearly, in blood and treasure.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
May 26, 2009
Expat life in Japan: the good, the bad and the meaningful
I am a 46-year-old Caucasian male. I have lived in Japan for 17 years with an attitude toward assimilation that would not be looked upon favorably in my native Australia. I would feel worse about this were it not for an undeniable fact: Compared to the average Westerner in Japan, the moderate level of assimilation I have achieved is a standout performance.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Feb 3, 2009
What would the locals do?
In Japan, paper advertisements hang from the ceilings of train cars. In how many other countries would that be a viable advertising option? Certainly not in my hometown of Melbourne. Back in Australia, the majority of those ads would not survive any given Saturday night.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Dec 2, 2008
Back to the baths: Otaru revisited
The story is familiar to regular readers of Zeit Gist. Debito Arudou, a naturalized Japanese citizen, originally from America, was living in Sapporo, Hokkaido, and had heard of the Yunohana public bath's policy of denying entry to foreigners. In 1999, media in tow, he decided to put that onsen's policy to the test. Sure enough, entry was denied, with the accompanying explanation that foreigners often "cause trouble" and, as such, the regulars "dislike sharing the facilities with them."

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?