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May 19, 2024
 

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Leonid Bershidsky
For Leonid Bershidsky's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
COMMENTARY / World
May 2, 2015
What not to do after the Baltimore riots
To help avoid future riots, U.S. authorities could start by training cops not to automatically treat people in such predominantly black neighborhoods as criminals.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 27, 2015
Why North Europeans are the happiest people
What are Switzerland, Iceland, Denmark and Norway doing that make them the world's happiest countries?
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 24, 2015
Why prosecuting Auschwitz crimes still matters
The best symbol of German atonement for World War II is Chancellor Angela Merkel's relentless efforts to negotiate compromises in conflicts others want to resolve by force.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 23, 2015
Russia's economy steps back from the brink
Russia's economic performance is leading some forecasters to be a bit more optimistic about the depth of its recession.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 21, 2015
Ending the refugee shipwrecks
The most comprehensive solution for ending refugee casualties at sea would be to eliminate the causes of the illegal traffic or, failing that, to involve more countries in helping the refugees.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 19, 2015
Publish 'Mein Kampf' and end World War II
The publication of 'Mein Kampf' in Germany as part of a scholarly project could be a good starting point to ending taboos and their populist use by politicians.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 17, 2015
Putin bests Obama in Iran
Russian President Vladimir Putin is building on a tactical advantage he has over the U.S. in talks with Iran: He can be the first to begin rapprochement with Iran's leaders, without worrying too much about its compliance with any nuclear deal's requirements.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 14, 2015
In Russia, Hillary Clinton would already have lost
If Hillary Clinton had just announced her candidacy to run for president in Russia, rather than in America, she'd already be in deep trouble.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 31, 2015
Are we sure co-pilot was the killer?
News reports on accusations that Andreas Lubitz, the Germanwings co-pilot, purposely brought down Flight 9525 over the French Alps have rushed to convict him.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 25, 2015
The Chinese government wants to buy Europe
European openness to investment by Chinese state entities means support for a regime that is not necessarily Europe's friend and that certainly doesn't share its values.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 17, 2015
A year after Crimea, Putin is stronger than ever
In the year since he moved to annex Crimea, Russian President Vladimir Putin has consolidated his power and strengthened anti-Western sentiment in Russia enough that he feels safe taking credit for that bloodless invasion.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 13, 2015
Sweden, Germany stand up to Saudi Arabia
Americans often criticize Europe for its lack of principle on foreign policy, but Sweden and German, at least, show that they stand up for their values with regard to military cooperation and arms exports — even to their countries' economic detriment.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 10, 2015
Why Nemtsov's death got pinned on Chechens
The shooting of a Putin opponent by an underling of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has probably brought the sovereign and vassal closer together.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 6, 2015
Little Estonia did its post-Soviet homework
There aren't many European leaders who take a harder line on Russian President Vladimir Putin's aggression in Ukraine than Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves. But Ilves' sympathy for Ukraine is tempered by his belief that it didn't do enough in advance to protect itself.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 4, 2015
No, Obama, Russia's economy isn't in tatters
It's time to bury the expectation that Russia's economy will fall apart under pressure from falling oil prices and Western sanctions, and that Russians, angered by a drop in their living standards, will rise up and sweep President Vladimir Putin out of office.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 2, 2015
The Russia that died with Nemtsov
Boris Nemtsov knew he was in danger. His name was on every list of 'traitors' — those who protested against the annexation of Crimea and the war in eastern Ukraine — aired on state TV.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 23, 2015
Poroshenko aims for arms by calling for peacekeepers
It's a shame that Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's call for U.N. peacekeepers to help enforce the Minsk ceasefire is so belated and insincere.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 19, 2015
Despite killings, Denmark is not setting a bad example
Although Denmark's conflicted approach to freedom of expression demands closer scrutiny, the country is not setting a bad example when it comes to dealing with radical Muslims.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 17, 2015
Why Germany's growth beat expectations
Germany's unexpectly strong economic growth suggests that it was right to focus on economic competitiveness rather than fiscal stimulus.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 16, 2015
New Ukrainian peace deal is wrapped in a time bomb
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko will find it hard to spin the second Minsk cease-fire deal as his victory. At least Western leaders will still treat him as an ally.
Japanese stripper bids to have her porn movies taken off internet
Plaintiff Miyuki Ariga (left) speaks at a news conference along with her lawyer, Yoshitomo Morohashi, after filing a lawsuit at the Tokyo District Court on Monday.
America wasn’t made for walking, and it’s killing them
A 2010 study found that U.S. adults averaged 5,117 steps daily and that this was lower than the averages found in similar studies in Switzerland, western Australia and Japan.
U.S. envoy to Japan makes landmark visit to front-line island near Taiwan
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel meets with members of the Self-Defense Forces stationed on Yonaguni, Okinawa Prefecture, on Friday.
Japan passes bill to introduce 'blue ticket' fines for cyclists
A new system under which bicycle riders pay fines for minor traffic violations to escape criminal punishment is expected to be introduced in Japan no later than 2026.
Japan changes law to allow joint custody after divorce
Legislation that allows the option of joint custody of children after divorce is passed at the Upper House plenary session on Friday.
Can AI-generated inventions be patented? A Tokyo court says no.
The Tokyo court's ruling comes amid ongoing debates on how to regulate generative AI and is part of a transnational class action lawsuit.
A new initiative rethinks old Tohoku crafts
The colored patterns of Tsuguru "nuri," made in Aomori Prefecture, are achieved by applying multiple coatings of lacquer, which are later polished down to reveal layers of colors beneath.
Xi and Putin mark ‘new era’ amid efforts to counter U.S. ‘containment’
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend an event in Beijing on Thursday. During Putin's visit, the leaders showed off their growing alignment amid efforts to push back against the U.S.-led world order.
Unraveling the Japanese prose of Yukio Mishima
Author Yukio Mishima accepts the Arts Festival Award in the drama category at the 20th Arts Festival Award Ceremony on Jan. 22, 1966.

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

Things may look perfect to the outside world, but today's mom is fine with some imperfection at home.
How 'Reiwa moms' are reshaping motherhood in Japan
By Mai Yoshikawa

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