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Simon Tay
For Simon Tay's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 1, 2016
Renewing Taiwan's 'pivot' to Southeast Asia
The success of Taiwan's effort to boost its ties with ASEAN nations will depend on the condition of cross-strait relations.
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 11, 2015
If Japan can really say sorry
If Japan can really say sorry for its wartime actions, it will help the entire region.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 18, 2014
China's regional vision gathers momentum
Few welcome Beijing as the Middle Kingdom, but many must recognize that China is increasingly the region's central economy.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 20, 2014
China need not dominate new bank for Asia
If America's allies — and even the U.S. itself — would join China's initiative for an Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Beijing could not dominate it as some fear.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 5, 2014
Lack of compromise delays trans-Pacific trade
American and Japanese officials should take a look at the clock ticking in their Trans-Pacific Partnership talks. Their failure to compromise thus far on key points is affecting the whole region.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 26, 2014
Strong leaders in an increasingly fragile Asia
Stronger leaders are finally in place in fragile Asia — leaders who can deliver domestic reform and economic growth. But if these leaders assert their strength against each other or vis-a-vis the U.S. over security matters, regional stability could be upended.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 7, 2014
Why ASEAN has not condemned Thailand
It is not a given that ASEAN won't condemn Thailand's recent military coup. At present, though, most neighbors regard the events as an internal matter while more than two-thirds of Thais surveyed report being happier now than before the intervention.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 21, 2014
The real victims of U.S. sanctions on Myanmar
Myanmar's opening attracted much interest not only from Asian neighbors but also from those in the West that once considered the country a pariah.
COMMENTARY / World
May 22, 2014
Regional reactions to the protests in Vietnam
Reversing China's oil-drilling activities in a part of the South China China also claimed by Vietnam may be asking too much. But it will take more than Washington's finger wagging to convince Beijing that there is real cost against taking further steps.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 17, 2014
Color-coding won't explain mess in Thailand
Recent developments in Thailand may put paid to the international media's tendency to make sense of the protests by describing the "red shirts" as representing the poor and the "yellow shirts" as the elite.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 22, 2013
Asia's (re)invitation to Obama
Mr. President, congratulations on handling the domestic crisis of the government shutdown and debt ceiling. The problem will recur, but most see you as a winner for holding your ground. Now, about that trip you canceled to Asia.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 17, 2013
Making do without Obama
More attention has been given to U.S. President Barack Obama's decision to cancel his trip to Asia because of Beltway politics than to what the regional ministers did without him.
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 22, 2013
Indonesian woes, ASEAN problems
Some fear Indonesia is heading for crisis as second-quarter growth dropped below 6 percent. But the recent appointments of top policymakers offer hope.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 15, 2013
China, ASEAN at crossroads
Rising tensions in the South China Sea have roiled ASEAN-China relations. Yet there is now agreement to begin consultations on a Code of Conduct.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 6, 2013
'Abenomics' stirring optimism in Southeast Asia
Even if Abenomics succeeds, there is no return to the days when Japanese invested in ASEAN for cheap land and labor, and dominated the region with little competition.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 24, 2013
Asia's developing frontier with Latin America
As the U.S. economy struggles, trade within the Forum for East Asia and Latin American Cooperation has grown 20% on average in a decade.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 17, 2013
Southeast Asian leadership without hegemony
Whether it is the United States now, or China later, Asia is searching for a model of regional leadership that goes beyond the hegemony of any one power.
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 27, 2013
ASEAN-China good will hunting
Clues to the character of China's new leadership have emerged from their interaction with other Asians. A greater confrontational posture with Japan looms.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 12, 2013
A revived Japan must adjust its ASEAN business sights
If resurgent Japanese companies return to Asia looking for the strongmen, cheap land and low-wage labor of old, their expectations will be frustrated.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 14, 2013
The message Asians hope Abe will say to Obama
Neither Japan nor China can give up its claims to the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands, but stoking up conflict in today's world economy would hurt them both.

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