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William Pesek
For William Pesek's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 9, 2016
Why SoftBank's Son is betting big on Trump
Pledge by Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son to invest $50 billion in the U.S. is savvy, but it's a big blow to Japan Inc.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 6, 2016
Trump learned the wrong lessons from Asia
If Donald Trump dislikes China so much, why has he embraced policies that would be at home in Beijing?
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 2, 2016
How Trump can take on Kim Jong Un
Putting China Inc. in the hot seat could rein in North Korea's rogue nuclear weapons program.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 29, 2016
Abenomics has a serious millennials problem
The gloomy view of the future among Japan's young people provides clues about why Abenomics has failed.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 27, 2016
Will Facebook be China's propaganda tool?
By cozying up to the communist regime Facebook will help enable Beijing's relentless crackdown on dissent.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 20, 2016
Could Japan's bond bubble get Trumped?
Bond market vigilantes are keen to test the Bank of Japan's latest moves to keep yields low as U.S. rates rise.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 17, 2016
China ready to play next U.S. leader for a fool
As Donald Trump wastes time fighting the economic wars of the past, Beijing will have space to devise a winning formula for the future.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 11, 2016
Want to impress Trump? Make Abenomics work
Japan's leader needs to convince Trump that Asia's second biggest economy can be a winner again.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 9, 2016
Trump's to-do list in Asia
America's president-elect needs to do some damage control if he wants the U.S. to profit from the Asian century.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 8, 2016
China's heavy hand puts squeeze on Hong Kong
Hong Kong's tycoons prospered these last 19 years in China's financial green zone — the ultimate special enterprise district offering the transparency, first world banking system and rule of law the mainland sorely lacks.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 4, 2016
Trump, Clinton show danger of Asian blind spot
As the U.S. presidential candidates bicker, an assertive China is using money and muscle to reshape the balance of power in Asia.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 1, 2016
Park Geun-hye crisis fans Korean lost decade risks
President Park's links to the Rasputin of Korea make her a lame duck leader and kills off chances for reform.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 31, 2016
Bank of Japan confronts the Wall of Shame
Haruhiko Kuroda's fight against deflation has been hampered by a legacy of policy ineptitude.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 23, 2016
Can Tesla recharge Panasonic's batteries?
Japan Inc. should take inspiration from Elon Musk's ambitions to shake up the future of energy and transportation.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 17, 2016
Why hasn't the CEO of Takata Corp. been fired?
The longer Shigehisa Takada keeps his job, the more investors will roll eyes at claims Japan is 'open for business.'
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 16, 2016
Why Thailand must tackle populist backlash
Thailand's military junta must focus on reviving growth and address inequality to bridge deep-seated political divisions.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 11, 2016
China's Xi Jinping courts emperor's syndrome
Shaking up the Communist Party's leadership succession could give Xi room to deliver much needed reforms.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 6, 2016
Olympic mania sidetracking efforts to revitalize Japan
Tokyo 2020 is diverting attention away from the best chance Japan has had in 20 years to regain its mojo.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 4, 2016
Can Spotify crack CD-loving Japan?
The music-streaming company may find the world's second largest and most idiosyncratic music market a tough nut to crack.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 3, 2016
Don't hype China's reserve currency moment
Hopes that entry into the IMF's currency basket would quicken the pace of reforms have been dashed.

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