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Sebastian Smith
For Sebastian Smith's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
WORLD
Jun 3, 2023
Biden hails averting 'catastrophic' U.S. default in Oval Office speech
Biden said he will sign the bill, which authorizes the government to extend the so-called debt ceiling and renew borrowing, into law on Saturday.
Japan Times
WORLD
Feb 28, 2023
U.S. waits (and waits) on Biden re-election bid announcement
For months, the White House has been teasing an announcement that Biden will run again in 2024. Also for months, the White House has refused to confirm that he will.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Feb 8, 2023
Upbeat Biden urges U.S. unity and vows to restore blue-collar pride
Biden's address was a chance for the Democrat to pitch his centrist, populist vision of a country healing after COVID-19 and the turmoil of Donald Trump's presidency.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Dec 28, 2022
Biden's holiday plans: Deciding if he'll run again
Biden headed to the island of St. Croix with a successful 2022 behind him and momentum building for him to declare that he wants another four years in the White House.
Japan Times
WORLD / EXPLAINER
Oct 11, 2022
From 'football' to 'biscuits': how to launch U.S. nukes on the go
The president has no big red button to push and whatever he orders still has to filter through several sets of human beings before becoming reality.
Japan Times
WORLD
Aug 17, 2022
Biden signs major climate change and health care law
The law, dubbed the Inflation Reduction Act, was touted by the White House as the biggest commitment to mitigating climate change in U.S. history.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / FOCUS
Aug 6, 2022
Biden: superhero, lame duck — or both?
So what do Americans see in Joe Biden — a doddery has-been who even his own party doesn't want around, or an improbable superhero? The answer is a bit of both.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jul 29, 2022
Amid agenda wins, Biden won't let GDP data rain on his parade
Democrats are suddenly on a roll and the U.S. president, even with approval ratings stuck below 40%, feels his constant optimism will be proved right.

Longform

Later this month, author Shogo Imamura will open Honmaru, a bookstore that allows other businesses to rent its shelves. It's part of a wave of ideas Japanese booksellers are trying to compete with online spaces.
The story isn't over for Japan's bookstores