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 Michael MacArthur Bosack

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Michael MacArthur Bosack
For Michael MacArthur Bosack's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 2, 2022
A man larger than life: Remembering Antonio Inoki
Antonio Inoki, a pro wrestler, businessman and politician, was a transformative and inspirational figure for his nation. He will be missed.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 22, 2022
Kishida would be riding high except for a political misstep
By going for a unity Cabinet, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was forced to bring in members from factions that were at greater risk of being linked with the Unification Church.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 21, 2022
Ukraine wants Japan to be a security guarantor
Given Japan is the world's No. 3 economy, and despite it's inability to grant substantive military support, Kyiv's pursuit of Tokyo's backing makes sense and would be a boon for Ukraine.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 12, 2022
How Japan's political system linked the Unification Church with lawmakers
One problem faced by Japan is that there are institutional and customary factors that allow fringe organizations to maintain access to politicians at the highest levels of government.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 11, 2022
What's behind the key appointments in Kishida’s new ‘unity Cabinet’
Selections have significant implications for what observers should expect from the government over the next year.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 15, 2022
Opposition seeks answers after heavy Upper House election defeat
Japan's Upper House election should have been a far more contested vote than it was, but the opposition once again failed to make the right moves.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 12, 2022
Dissecting Kishida’s post-election road map
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has important choices to make on how he leverages his renewed mandate and extra political capital after the LDP's strong Upper House election showing.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 9, 2022
The massive void that Shinzo Abe’s assassination has left behind
Japan's longest-serving prime minister wasn't just any other leader — he was a towering figure whose death has completely changed the nation's political landscape.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 24, 2022
Five things to know about Japan's opposition parties going into the election
Unseating incumbents is usually difficult, but media outlets and observers are giving opposition parties even less a chance than usual of scoring big wins.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jun 14, 2022
A sneak peek at the future of Japanese security policy
This year, the conference brought back a Japanese prime minister to deliver the keynote address, and Kishida took the opportunity to present his own principles for the country's security.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jun 7, 2022
Five things to know about the LDP going into election
The LDP is enjoying a wide approval margin over the opposition, with nearly a 35-point lead over its nearest competitor, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 31, 2022
When will Kishida fully reopen Japan's borders?
A look at the political forces that have been driving Japan's draconian stance on incoming tourism for the past two years.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 27, 2022
The man behind Kishida’s success on the world stage
Toshimitsu Motegi has shown competency not only in international relations, but also as the LDP secretary-general, which will serve his political ambitions well.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 10, 2022
Pure gold for Japan’s Golden Week diplomacy
More than just photo opportunities, Kishida's diplomatic engagements were meaningful — some producing major developments in Japan's bilateral relationships with important partners.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 26, 2022
Japan-New Zealand relations evolve amid a changing world
Kishida and Ardern's talks were the first in-person meeting between the two countries' heads of government since 2017 and served as an important milestone in the strategic partnership
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 15, 2022
Here are the big takeaways from the Japan-Philippines security meetings
The Japan-Philippines two-plus-two meeting was a big step for establishing the policy architecture necessary for evolving bilateral ties.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 30, 2022
Russia's war of aggression and Asia’s great reset
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has led to tectonic shifts in the strategic environment around the world, and Northeast Asia is no exception.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 3, 2022
LDP power broker Taro Aso's fortunes begin to fade
Aso has a difficult choice: He can play the role of elder statesman and let the LDP milk the last ounce of politicking out of him, or serve in the vice presidential position for life.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 24, 2022
From the Ukraine crisis emerges a more resolute Japan
Japan's willingness to declare concretely Russia's Ukraine actions as illegal and in violation of standing agreements is notable, as is its engagement with other world leaders.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 11, 2022
How ‘free-riding Japan’ came to embrace security multilateralism
Tokyo's foreign policy has seemed to take to heart the message from an old proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

Longform

Later this month, author Shogo Imamura will open Honmaru, a bookstore that allows other businesses to rent its shelves. It's part of a wave of ideas Japanese booksellers are trying to compete with online spaces.
The story isn't over for Japan's bookstores