Commentary Topics

Why Abenomics hurts women

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s acknowledgement of the unleashed potential of women should herald a new beginning for female empowerment in Japan. Yet his proposals to encourage more women to remain in the workforce actually may do more to hurt their prospects by merely reinforcing ...

Japan-related May 20, 2013

For a more 'friendly' Japan

by Takamitsu Sawa

A Shiga University professor has some reservations about a government industrial council's proposals to make Japan "the world's most business-friendly environment."

Japan-related May 17, 2013

Enhancing Japan's strengths, remedying its weaknesses

by Shinji Fukukawa

Japanese society is beset with some regrettable weak points. It must find ways to remedy those, bolster its strengths and enhance global "Japanability.

Japan-related May 16, 2013

Ryukyu sovereignty question simmers in China

by Frank Ching

The aim of China's questioning Japanese sovereignty over the Ryukyu Islands probably is to weaken Japan's claim to the disputed Senkaku Islands, which China calls the Diaoyus.

Japan-related May 14, 2013

Secretive trade talks aren't in the public interest

by Michael Sutton

Both Japan and Australia need to inform the public as to what agreement may or may not have been reached secretly during current trade negotiations.

Japan-related May 14, 2013

Last refuge of weak leaders

by Pankaj Mishra

Why have anti-Japanese sentiments resurfaced in China and South Korea in 2013 — just as Japan is trying to recover from two lost economic decades

Japan-related | SENTAKU MAGAZINE May 13, 2013

Is missile defense useful?

As Japan pours huge sums of taxpayer money into its missile defense system, the SDF is functioning more like a subcontractor for the U.S. armed forces.

Japan-related May 13, 2013

Shift the focus, Mr. Prime Minister

by Lester Tenney

An American former prisoner of war asks Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to shift his focus from arguing about who was the "aggressor" in World War II to an apology.

Japan-related May 6, 2013

New talks unlikely to settle Northern Territories dispute

by Tina Burrett

There is little reason for optimism that new Japan-Russia talks over the fate of the Northern Territories will fare any better than previous attempts to reach a deal.

Japan-related May 1, 2013

Please, no more Yasukuni visits

by Clyde Prestowitz

For the White House to welcome Japan to the TPP talks and to tell China to back off on the Senkakus, while Japan's top leaders visit Yasukuni Shrine, is ridiculous.

Japan-related | SENTAKU MAGAZINE Apr 29, 2013

Nuclear arms card for Japan

The Foreign Ministry has been conducting clandestine studies about the potential development of nuclear weapons in Japan, and the U.S. is nervous about it.

Japan-related Apr 24, 2013

A strong Japan can help the United States in Asia

by Vance Serchuk

China's continuing dispatch of ships and aircraft to the Senkaku (Diaoyu) Islands previews the future Japan faces if Beijing keeps rising and Tokyo keeps falling.