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April 28, 2024
 

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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
JAPAN / Politics / The LDP's game of thrones
Sep 8, 2021
Fumio Kishida steps into the ring for the second time in a year
Routinely derided by his critics, the former foreign minister may prove to have more moxie than some would expect in the party leadership race.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / The LDP's game of thrones
Sep 8, 2021
With Suga's imminent departure, the battle for power has already begun
The prime minister's announcement that he would step down as leader of the LDP has set in motion a fierce race to the top.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 1, 2021
SDF quietly breaks new ground in Afghanistan withdrawal
What makes the dispatch of the SDF to facilitate evacuations in Afghanistan notable is not the scale of the operations, but that they are taking place at all.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 26, 2021
LDP leadership election: Suga has a target on his back
As LDP heavyweights jockey for position ahead of the party's presidential election, one thing for sure is there is a target on Prime Minister Suga's back.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 5, 2021
Taking stock of the LDP presidential race
With five potential outcomes and myriad players and interests in the mix, there is still a lot of ground the LDP must cover to reach the finish line in its presidential election.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 16, 2021
The LDP loses a heavyweight
Factions matter in the LDP because they are critical for selecting who becomes the party president and hence who becomes prime minister.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 3, 2021
Why politicians make the switch from Upper to Lower House
One almost never hears about a Lower House member trying to move to the Upper House, but movement the opposite direction has plenty of precedent.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jun 26, 2021
A summer of competition for the LDP-Komeito coalition
Japan's big cities are not reflective of national level politics, so even if the LDP and Komeito suffer a poor outcome in a few weeks, it will not portend some sweeping movement.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jun 16, 2021
The party politics behind the annual no-confidence motion
All LDP Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai needed was something to justify his outspoken preference for a snap election, and the no-confidence motion was just that.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 14, 2021
Key takeaways from the G7 summit
While the world's response to COVID-19 dominated discussions, leaders appeared to have rediscovered the joy of diplomacy
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 29, 2021
Understanding Japan’s ‘positive list’ approach to security
The new legislation eliminated the need for special measures laws for the types of operations the SDF had engaged in since 2001 and added new provisions for limited collective self-defense.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 16, 2021
Why France is a welcome security partner for Japan
Ultimately, it is not about how much military power partners project into the region, it is about adversaries knowing that those partners have skin in the game.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 1, 2021
Japan's political state of play following the by-elections
The LDP's inability to pick up seats in the by-elections was unsurprising; after all, two of those seats were only up for election because of highly publicized scandals.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World / Perspectives
Apr 26, 2021
Afghanistan withdrawal: Reconciling the 'Forever War'
A scholar, negotiator and Afghanistan veteran reflects on what the end of the 20-year conflict means.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 24, 2021
What can Japan do in a Taiwan-China clash?
In the “two-plus-two” meeting that took place last week, the Japanese and U.S. governments unequivocally called out China, highlighting the country's unilateral and unlawful attempts to change the status quo in the Indo-Pacific. Since then, there has been much debate on what this means for the region, especially in the context of Taiwan.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 10, 2021
3/11 was pivotal for the Japan-U.S. alliance
It is difficult to describe just how important 3/11 was in evolving the alliance.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 18, 2021
Why Japan’s territorial disputes are so hard to resolve
Next week, Shimane Prefecture will celebrate the relatively young Takeshima Day, which will invariably invite protest from the South Korean government.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 24, 2021
The art of 'leaking' in the Japanese government
Leaks do not have to be true — they just have to be perceived as factual by the individuals reporting them.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 19, 2021
Vaccination minister: Reward or punishment for Taro Kono?
Only the prime minister and the highest level of LDP executives know for sure the motivations behind tapping Kono as the minister in charge of the COVID-19 vaccinations.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 18, 2020
Five things to watch in Japanese politics in 2021
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's power atop the government is not assured, and with some significant elections scheduled, domestic politics could once again shake things up at the top.
Town to block view of Mount Fuji in response to overtourism
The town government of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, decided to set up a 2.5-meter-high screen to prevent tourists from taking pictures of Mount Fuji looming behind a convenience store.
In Japan, regional revitalization fails to halt population decline
Sakiyama elementary school in Tamba, Hyogo Prefecture, in March .Over the past decade, the government has directed efforts toward policies designed to give young people incentives to base themselves in rural areas.
Number of homeless in Japan hits record low
Homeless people sleep on the street in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward in August 2021.
Ukraine is far from doomed
When comparing Ukraine’s military situation in 2024 to Europe’s in 1941, Russia’s defeat seems entirely possible.
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.
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.
Casa del Cibo: A thriving jewel born from Tohoku’s harsh past
When chef Ryohei Ikemi moved to Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, and opened Casa del Cibo in 2011, it was the first proper Italian restaurant in the city.
Town to block view of Mount Fuji in response to overtourism
The town government of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, decided to set up a 2.5-meter-high screen to prevent tourists from taking pictures of Mount Fuji looming behind a convenience store.
Kyotographie's strong 12th edition shines light into the margins
Yassine Alaoui Ismaili, who goes by Yoriyas, turned to photography, shooting motion while in motion himself, after an injury forced him to give up his career as a professional breakdancer.

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

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
By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Vol. 34: Tokyo, a vanguard city for sustainability
Vol. 34: Tokyo, a vanguard city for sustainability

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