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May 04, 2024
 

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Ben Blanchard
For Ben Blanchard's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Sep 18, 2019
U.S. may call out China on rights at U.N. gathering of leaders
The United States is considering how it will confront China during next week's gathering of world leaders at the United Nations over its detention of 1 million Muslims in a remote region, at a time when some diplomats warn that U.S. leadership in global institutions is waning and China's influence is growing.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Jun 16, 2019
How Hong Kong protests and Beijing pressure forced Carrie Lam to cave on extradition bill
With an escalating U.S. trade war, a faltering economy and tensions in the South China Sea vexing her bosses in Beijing, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam appeared in no mood to compromise on a planned extradition law at recent meetings, according to foreign envoys and business people who met with her.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 11, 2019
China struggles to ease concerns over 'Belt and Road' initiative as summit looms
China is struggling to ease worries about President Xi Jinping's signature plan to build a new Silk Road as it readies for a major summit in late April, especially among Western nations wary about debt, transparency and Chinese influence.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Feb 27, 2019
Simmering tension with Taiwan means China defense budget likely to defy slowing economy
A slowing economy is unlikely to crimp China's 2019 defense budget growth, as Beijing earmarks more spending for modernization and big-ticket items like stealth jets, and focuses on Taiwan after a stern New Year's speech from President Xi Jinping.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Feb 28, 2018
China's military flexes muscles for domestic objective: more funding
With stealth jets entering service, leaked pictures of new high-tech naval artillery and proud reports of maneuvers that "dare to shine the sword," China's armed forces are putting on a show of power as they lobby for greater defense spending.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Feb 27, 2018
With eye on U.S., China to revamp top tier of diplomats, sources say
China is expected to announce a reshuffle of its top diplomats at an annual meeting of parliament in March, aiming to deal with U.S. President Donald Trump's growing suspicion of Beijing, several sources familiar with the plan said.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Feb 26, 2018
China pushes back against criticism of plan for Xi to stay in power
China's plan for President Xi Jinping to remain in office indefinitely has sparked social media opposition, drawing comparisons to North Korea's ruling dynasty and charges of creating a dictator by a Hong Kong pro-democracy activist.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Sep 4, 2017
China reluctant to press North Korea with further sanctions, seeks more from West
North Korea's latest nuclear test is likely to pile more pressure on China to take tough action against its neighbor, but Beijing already doubts economic sanctions will work and says it is not its sole responsibility to rein in Pyongyang.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 2, 2017
Xi takes steps to lifelong sole leadership on a par with Mao
A recent scene at a dusty Inner Mongolia military base provided evidence of Chinese President Xi Jinping's consolidation of political power even as he faces pushback in his ruling Communist Party ahead of a critical gathering next month.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Aug 8, 2017
Due to proximity, China will pay biggest price for new North Korea sanctions
China will pay the biggest price from the new United Nations sanctions against North Korea because of its close economic relationship with the country, but will always enforce the resolutions, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 30, 2017
Trump warms to Xi, but risks leaving allies out to dry
U.S. President Donald Trump's warm words for Chinese President Xi Jinping as a "good man" will reassure Beijing that he finally understands the importance of good ties but risk leaving America's allies in the region puzzling over where they fit into the new order.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Apr 4, 2017
When Trump and Xi meet, will it mean conciliation or collision?
When U.S. President Donald Trump meets Chinese President Xi Jinping this week, their summit will be marked not only by deep policy divisions but a clash of personalities between America's brash "tweeter-in-chief" and Beijing's cautious, calculating leader.
WORLD / Politics
Apr 2, 2017
Beijing cozies up to EU in wake of Trump's 'America First' policy
China has launched a charm offensive with the European Union since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January, shifting its stance on trade negotiations and signaling closer cooperation on a range of other issues, European diplomats say.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Mar 29, 2017
Trump's policies on trade, climate and the U.N. push China toward EU
China has launched a charm offensive with the European Union since U.S. President Donald Trump took office, shifting its stance on trade negotiations and signaling closer cooperation on a range of other issues, European diplomats say.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jan 29, 2017
As Trump stresses 'America First,' China plays the world leader
China is calmly mapping out global leadership aspirations from trade to climate change, drawing distinctions between President Xi Jinping's steady hand and new U.S. President Donald Trump, whose first days have been marked by media feuds and protests.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 2, 2017
China considering strong measures to contain Taiwan: sources
China's military has become alarmed by what it sees as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's support of Taiwan and is considering strong measures to prevent the island from moving toward independence, sources with ties to senior military officers said.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Dec 12, 2016
Talking to Trump's team: China's high-flying U.S. expert
China's top diplomat, who recently met a senior adviser to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, is a high-flying former Chinese ambassador to Washington with a deep understanding of U.S. politics, a country he has clashed with, too.
ASIA PACIFIC / Crime & Legal
Nov 22, 2016
U.S. says it won't tolerate pressure from China on fugitive families
The United States will not tolerate any pressure from the Chinese government on family members of fugitives to get them to return from America, but can't guarantee it has not happened, a U.S. official said on Tuesday.
ASIA PACIFIC
Oct 11, 2016
China berates visiting New Zealand defense minister over South China Sea stance
China rebuked New Zealand's defense minister at the opening of a high-profile security forum in Beijing on Tuesday, criticizing his stance on tensions in the disputed South China Sea, saying countries "not involved" should not interfere.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Oct 2, 2016
Xi said consolidating grip on power in China by curbing rival bloc, giving allies more power
One year before a Communist Party conclave that could decide who will eventually replace him as China's next leader, President Xi Jinping is maneuvering to reduce the power of a rival political bloc while seeking to get members of his own faction onto the country's top ruling body, according to three sources with ties to the leadership.
Biden calls ally Japan ‘xenophobic’ along with rivals China and Russia
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks in Syracuse, New York, on April 25.
Yen swings stir talk that Japan is in the FX market once again
An electronic screen in Tokyo displays the yen exchange rate against the U.S. dollar and the graph showing its recent swings, on Thursday.
Harajuku strives to reclaim its former glory — and surpass it
Laforet Harajuku, which celebrated its 45th anniversary last year, has been a witness to the district's evolution over the years.
Weak yen fattens tourist wallets in Japan
People visit the Ameya Yokocho market in Tokyo's Ueno district during the Golden Week holiday on Tuesday.
Japan's May 1 intervention may have cost ¥3.66 trillion, BOJ data suggests
An electronic screen displays a graph showing Japanese yen exchange rates surging against the dollar amid signs of intervention by authorities, in Tokyo on Thursday.
Kishida sets sights on energy and climate in South America trip
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will use a policy speech in Sao Paulo to set out his vision for ties between Japan and South America, almost 10 years after former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe advocated for stronger ties between the two in the same city.
Yellow sand allergy: A health issue made worse by climate change
A screenshot of the Meteorological Agency's satellite image of clouds and yellow sand (in pink) on Sunday.
Climate change, chalky grains and the risks for Japan’s rice farmers
A farmer plants seedlings in Satsumasendai, Kagoshima Prefecture. Japan’s self sufficiency rate for rice is nearly 100%, compared with 38% for food overall, on a calorie basis.
Japan wants you to spend more with ‘luxury tourism’
Performers play a traditional drum unique to Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, in the prefectural capital of Kanazawa on March 16 to mark the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line to Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture.
Theaster Gates’ ambitious ‘Afro-Mingei’ brings Black Chicago to Tokyo
Theaster Gates' “A Heavenly Chord” lines up church pews before seven speakers and a Hammond B3 organ, a type of electric organ prevalent in Black American churches.

Podcast

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.
[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

Longform

Rows of irises resemble a rice field at the Peter Walker-designed Toyota Municipal Museum of Art.
The 'outsiders' creating some of Japan's greenest spaces
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