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Philip J. Heijmans
For Philip J. Heijmans's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / FOCUS
Apr 6, 2021
China tests Biden with South China Sea tactic that misled Obama
It appears that Beijing is probing whether Biden will take action after pledging to work with allies to deter Chinese assertiveness.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Mar 10, 2021
Brawling Myanmar monks show Buddhist nationalists backing coup
Buddhist monasteries are usually known as places of solace and meditation. But one in Myanmar's biggest city became the site of an ugly brawl in the aftermath of the Feb. 1 military coup.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Mar 3, 2021
Southeast Asia rebuffs U.S. sanctions on Myanmar, giving generals a lifeline
On Tuesday, ASEAN foreign ministers sought to balance calls for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi with avoiding any interference in the country's internal affairs.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 13, 2021
Myanmar faces wider business fallout after Kirin retreat
Companies and investors are weighing the impact of a military coup that has thrust the once-thriving nation into a state of emergency.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 3, 2021
Myanmar army’s next problem: Defeating Aung San Suu Kyi in an election
Myanmar's army has plenty of examples in Asia of powerful elites that write rules favoring the establishment at election time.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 20, 2021
As Thailand’s troubles grow, the king moves to bolster his image
Looming over myriad crises is the months of rallies where protesters have openly criticized the monarchy, Thailand's most powerful institution.
Japan Times
WORLD
Dec 10, 2020
COVID-19 scare on cruise ship shows perils of resuming tourism
Singapore's ill-fated attempts to enliven tourism underscore the difficulties of getting any sort of travel up and running — even in a nation with few community cases.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Nov 6, 2020
Aung San Suu Kyi set to win again even as Myanmar’s economic dreams fade
Suu Kyi's first year in office saw foreign direct investment hit $9.4 billion, a record, but that dropped down to $5.5 billion in the last financial year that ended on Sept. 30.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Nov 1, 2020
Malaysia’s once-peripheral king emerges as major political force
For Malaysia, where one coalition ruled for six straight decades until the 2018 election, it's relatively new for the monarch to play such a prominent role in politics.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 24, 2020
Malaysia poised for more turmoil as Anwar Ibrahim makes bid for power
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin denounced the move on Wednesday and challenged Anwar to prove his assertion.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / FOCUS
Sep 23, 2020
Philippines' Duterte gets tough on China in shift back toward U.S.
In recent months, his government has started to shift back toward Washington as Beijing has increased assertiveness in the South China Sea
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Aug 14, 2020
Thailand’s dilemma: Silence students or allow criticism of the monarchy
It’s long been the case in Thailand that every conversation about the monarchy requires an extra level of alertness.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jul 29, 2020
Conviction of Malaysia's Najib Razak bolsters current leader's hopes of staying on
The court decision could bolster Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's political capital at a time when his administration controls a razor-thin majority in parliament.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jul 9, 2020
Why Singapore’s ruling party easily wins big in every election
If anyone is wondering which party will win Singapore’s election on Friday, just listen to the opposition.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 10, 2020
Thousands of people in tightly packed dorms pose new challenge for Singapore's virus fight
Tightly packed dormitories housing thousands of foreign workers have emerged as one of Singapore’s biggest challenges in its fight to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / FOCUS
Mar 2, 2020
Fresh out of power, 94-year-old Mahathir plots comeback in Malaysia
Mahathir Mohamad may be at least temporarily out of power, but the 94-year-old leader isn't going down without a fight.

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