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April 27, 2024
 

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SOFT POWER

Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / Longform
Oct 3, 2022
What Japan’s iconic beef can teach us about ‘soft power’
The upcoming u2018Wagyu Olympics' in Kagoshima Prefecture is expected to create much-needed buzz about the industry among consumers at home and abroad.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 5, 2020
Is the world growing softer or just becoming wiser?
It is becoming slowly recognized that violence backfires and that soft methods, rather than harsh and confrontational measures and battle plans, now stand the best chance of stabilizing societies.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 10, 2018
New Zealand grapples with China's influence and intimidation
In April 2010, there was a scandal over the Confucius Institute at Osaka Sangyo University in Osaka. During meetings discussing a proposed relocation of the institute between campuses, the director of the University Affairs Board denounced it as a "cultural spy agency" for China and "a 'soft landing' for China's expansionism." Chinese overseas students at the university reacted angrily to his accusations; two months later he was asked to resign, and the university published a letter officially apologizing for his "inappropriate and insensitive remarks."
JAPAN
Jul 15, 2015
In 'soft power' terms, Japan ranks eighth out of 30 countries in U.K. consultancy report
Japan ranked eighth in the world in "soft power," according to a new annual ranking released by U.K.-based consulting firm Portland.
JAPAN
Mar 16, 2015
To counter China and South Korea, government to fund Japan studies at U.S. colleges
The Abe government has budgeted more than $15 million to fund Japan studies at nine universities overseas, including Georgetown and MIT, as part of a 'soft power' push to counter the growing influence of China and South Korea.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / BIG IN JAPAN
Mar 7, 2015
Where will 'proactive pacifism' lead us?
Seventy years after World War II ended, should we be thinking about war or about peace?
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Feb 14, 2015
Japan's public diplomacy is expensive and errant
Global understanding does not come cheaply. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government has budgeted ¥70 billion — yes, that's more than $500 million — to help get the word out about Japan and ensure that China and South Korea aren't the only ones controlling the narrative.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 16, 2014
U.S. soft power takes a hit in wake of report
It's a testimony to U.S. soft power that Washington persuaded so many allies to take part in a policy of torture that they must have known would one day blow up in their faces.
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Oct 4, 2014
Manga, the Rising Sun and Abe's history problem
During his recent visit to the United Nations, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reasserted his eagerness to improve relations with Japan's East Asian neighbors, but the reaction from Beijing and Seoul was tepid.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jul 28, 2014
China pushes soft power with hospital ship at RIMPAC
On a Chinese hospital ship off Hawaii, crew members demonstrate traditional massage techniques to U.S. sailors. The mood is one of collegiality, even after China opted out of Japan-led humanitarian drills at the world's largest international naval exercise.
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Apr 19, 2014
Team Abe's alternate-reality Kool-Aid
Japan's relations with China and South Korea are in tatters, there has been no progress on dealing with North Korea's nuclear weapons program, strains with Washington persist, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) talks are at an impasse, whaling got harpooned and hopes for a deal with Russia on the northern territories seem to have evaporated in Crimea. There are also growing concerns that "Abenomics" is unsustainable as there has been little progress on structural reforms, employers did little to boost wages and business sentiments have tanked. Moreover, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is showing signs of internal dissension over a range of issues from Abenomics to security and national energy policy, and has festering problems with coalition partner New Komeito. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe complains that U.S. President Barack Obama doesn't know who his friends are and that he should be getting more credit for making progress on security issues Washington has long lobbied for. Mr. President, welcome to "Abe Land."
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 17, 2014
Conservatives' insular mindset doesn't fit today's global reality
Japan has moved well beyond its islands, but in many respects, it has retained elements of an island mentality that is no longer compatible with its modern reality.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 2, 2013
China dons provocateur suit
However powerful President Xi Jinping might have become, China's declaration of a vast air-defense identification zone does not add to its store of 'soft power.'
New JAL chief concerned about yen’s ‘excessive’ weakness
Mitsuko Tottori became Japan Airlines’ first female CEO on April 1, having risen through the ranks as a flight attendant and heading the flight attendant and customer experience divisions.
Town to block view of Mount Fuji in response to overtourism
The town government of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, decided to set up a 2.5-meter-high screen to prevent tourists from taking pictures of Mount Fuji looming behind a convenience store.
Yen inches closer to intervention point as BOJ meeting starts
The rate of the yen against the U.S. dollar is displayed in the trading room at foreign exchange brokerage Gaitame.com in Tokyo on Thursday.
Princess Aiko makes debut at imperial garden party
Princess Aiko attends an imperial garden party in Tokyo on Tuesday.
'So hot you can't breathe': Extreme heat hits the Philippines
A pedestrian cools himself with a folding hand fan as he waits for a ride along a road in Manila on Wednesday, as extreme heat hit the Philippines.
Tokyo's Koto Ward by-election a race unlike any other
Natsumi Sakai, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan’s candidate and one of four female candidates running in the by-election, touts her experience as a cancer survivor and midwife as having prepared her to tackle issues that women currently face.
Kyotographie's strong 12th edition shines light into the margins
Yassine Alaoui Ismaili, who goes by Yoriyas, turned to photography, shooting motion while in motion himself, after an injury forced him to give up his career as a professional breakdancer.
For amateur sumo, a fresh start offers hope against time-wasting and gamesmanship
Wrestlers prepare for the start of a bout at the 2023 Sumo World Championships in Tokyo. Starting this month, placing one hand on the clay first is no longer allowed.
LDP veteran Nikai's youngest son expected to succeed him in Wakayama
Toshihiro Nikai, former secretary-general of the Liberal Democratic Party, announced in March that he would not run in the next Lower House election to take responsibility for the political funds scandal that rocked his party and his own faction.
New workers name Shohei Ohtani as 'dream boss' for two years running
Shohei Ohtani has been overwhelmingly voted as the “dream boss” for people who started working in April, according to a survey.

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Longform

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SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Vol. 34: Tokyo, a vanguard city for sustainability
Vol. 34: Tokyo, a vanguard city for sustainability

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