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James Mayger
For James Mayger's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Australia and China have rapidly improved their diplomatic relations since the election of the center-left Labor government in May 2022, including the restoration of high-level official meetings and the lifting of trade sanctions imposed by Beijing at the height of tensions.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Mar 20, 2024
China and Australia face difficult diplomatic road after trade spat
Hurdles exist in the form of persistent political differences and increased competition between Beijing and Canberra’s principal ally, the U.S.
Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell discussed a regional trade pact with Japan's economy minister Yasutoshi Nishimura during their meeting in Osaka on Sunday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 30, 2023
Australia reassures Japan on CPTPP and strength of relationship
Australian Trade Minister discussed a regional trade pact with Japan's economy minister during their meeting in Osaka.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health / FOCUS
Jun 18, 2022
How Japan achieved one of the world’s lowest COVID-19 death rates
Health experts point to continued mask wearing, extensive vaccination and an already healthy population as the core factors behind its success.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Sep 22, 2021
Taiwan applies to join Pacific trade deal just days after China
Taiwan already has free trade deals with two of the members — New Zealand and Singapore — and has been working toward joining the trade agreement for years.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 19, 2018
Despite jumpy market, Bank of Japan watchers don't expect a policy change anytime soon
Economists who follow the Bank of Japan aren't buying the idea that the central bank is nearing the point where it will begin to normalize its ultraloose monetary policy.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 15, 2018
Japan's loyalty cards to provide early sneak peek at company profits
When shopping in Japan, a phrase you'll hear all the time is "Do you have a point card?" And the most common is the T-card, which can be used at hundreds of thousands of shops nationwide, from car accessory dealers to convenience stores.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 27, 2017
Five years of Abenomics: The good, the bad and the sluggish
Five years since Shinzo Abe came to power, the economy is much stronger, but still falls short of the revolution he pledged to deliver.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 21, 2017
Kuroda says BOJ purchase pace to continue for some time
The Bank of Japan will continue with very accommodative monetary policy and maintain the current pace of asset purchases for some time, Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda said in an interview.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Mar 21, 2017
BOJ faces new challenges when stimulus measures end
While Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda has underscored how much work still lies ahead, when the central bank does finally hit its inflation target and exits stimulus, it is likely to face huge balance sheet losses.
BUSINESS / Economy
Mar 14, 2017
Nobel economist's ideas seen giving justification to delay Japan's consumption tax hike
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's administration has a habit of co-opting Nobel Prize-winning economists when it lays the groundwork for contentious policy decisions.
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 7, 2016
Economy is about to grow by ¥19.8 trillion, at least on paper
Japan's economy will grow by an amount equivalent to New Zealand's economy in the blink of an eye on Thursday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 25, 2016
Wages rise, hours fall for part-time workers
Over the last 10 years, Japan's 14 million part-time workers cut their working hours by more than 6 percent. They now work about 4.5 hours a day.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / DECISION 2014
Dec 8, 2014
As opposition dithers, voters mull four more years of Abe
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's chances for becoming the nation's longest-serving leader in more than four decades are increasing as the opposition finds itself hobbled by factionalism, shifting policies and funding shortages.

Longform

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