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William Pesek
For William Pesek's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 6, 2013
'Abenomics' meets curse of the second 100 days — will the mirage last?
The accomplishments of the first 100 days in office are a favorite benchmark for democratic leaders. It's thought to offer a preview of his or her worldview, ambition and political fortune.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 29, 2013
Zero-interest rates harder to quit than IMF thinks — just ask Japan
Christine Lagarde wants her staff at the International Monetary Fund to examine what might happen to the global economy when central banks begin to raise interest rates. She's wasting their time.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 25, 2013
Malaysia needs to get off the road to mediocrity
In his re-election bid, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak ludicrously warns the nation of 'catastrophic ruin' and an 'Arab Winter' if he's not around.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 28, 2013
Pope Francis should look east to end poverty
Philippine President Benigno Aquino faces a huge roadblock in his push to end the poverty weighing on his 106 million people: the Catholic Church.
BUSINESS
Mar 18, 2013
Can Xi clear out billionaire glut in Beijing?
Now that Xi Jinping officially holds the reins in Beijing, the world is asking this question: Can China's new leader revamp an economy that may become the world's largest during his 10-year term? Here's an even better one: Will Beijing let him?
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 14, 2013
Five stages of grief explain postquake Japan's course
The second anniversary of Japan's monstrous earthquake has me thinking about Elisabeth Kuebler-Ross.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 4, 2013
Park's challenge: Advancing South by rising above father's, Lee's legacies
The life of Park Geun Hye, South Korea's just-inaugurated first female president, has so far been bookended by two larger-than-life men of debatable success.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 4, 2013
Kuroda should keep his wits on Abe's doorstep
As president of the Manila-based Asian Development Bank, Haruhiko Kuroda spent the past seven years confronting the challenges posed by 48 diverse, dynamic and complex Asia-Pacific economies. If he thought that was hard work, consider what awaits him in Tokyo as he prepares to lead the Bank of Japan.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 25, 2013
'Ponzi demography' as Singaporeans fear overpopulation bubble, burst
Singaporeans are raring to do something extraordinary: protest.
BUSINESS
Sep 17, 2007
Whoever leads next must revive reform, fix Japan's economy
The moment Prime Minister Shinzo Abe resigned, pundits were out offering explanations. Weak diplomacy, scandals, verbal gaffes by Cabinet members, you name it. Yet Abe's undoing was the economy, period.

Longform

When trying to trace your lineage in Japan, the "koseki" is the most important form of document you'll encounter.
Climbing the branches of a Japanese family tree