Robert J. Samuelson - The Japan Times

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Robert J. Samuelson

For Robert J. Samuelson's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

COMMENTARY

Sep 28, 2011

Europe must break a vicious cycle

"We are back in a danger zone," says a top economist at the International Monetary Fund. Though an understatement, it captures the central paradox of this year's annual meeting of the International monetary Fund and World Bank.

COMMENTARY

Sep 22, 2011

More capital for EU banks or else

Europe's banking crisis — and "crisis" is used advisedly — tells us how much and how little has changed since the onset of global financial turmoil in September 2008. Then, people worried about the viability of major American banks, loaded with "toxic" mortgage-backed securities whose value was difficult to determine.

COMMENTARY

Sep 15, 2011

A refresher course in Job Creation 101

We need a refresher course in Job Creation 101 to judge how much, if at all, U.S. President Barack Obama's proposed $447 billion program of spending increases and tax cuts might revive America's sputtering job machine.

COMMENTARY

Aug 31, 2011

Time for U.S. to say yes to Canadian oil sands

When it comes to energy, America is lucky to be next to Canada, whose proven oil reserves are estimated by Oil and Gas Journal at 175 billion barrels.

COMMENTARY

Aug 24, 2011

America's databook is far too valuable to kill

If you want to know something about America, there are few better places to start than the "Statistical Abstract of the United States." Published annually by the Census Bureau, the Stat Abstract assembles about 1,400 tables describing our national condition. What share of children are immunized against measles, mumps and rubella? Answer: 92 percent. What state has the highest per capita income? Answer: Connecticut, 33 percent above the national average. How big is the nation's network of oil pipelines? Answer: 147,000 miles, about triple the length of the Interstate Highway System (46,751 miles).

COMMENTARY

Aug 17, 2011

Ten ways to reduce America's budget deficit

It's true: Deficit reduction isn't an economic panacea. It won't instantly boost the economy or the stock market. It won't automatically end financial turmoil. But none of this means that we should ignore deficits. Allowing the government's debt to spiral upward tempts a full-blown future financial crisis.

COMMENTARY

Aug 10, 2011

Welfare state wins this budget war

With so much financial turmoil, it's important to grasp what last week's budget deal does and doesn't do. Note, for starters, that it won't create much "fiscal drag" on the economy. The spending cuts are simply too small in a $15 trillion annual economy. The deal might shave one-tenth of 1 percent off annual growth in the next decade, estimates the forecasting firm Macroeconomic Advisers. Note also that the deal isn't a victory for the tea party over liberals. Liberals got much of what they wanted while the tea party's influence may wane. Taxes may rise if the Bush-Obama tax cuts expire at the end of 2012.

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

When trying to trace your lineage in Japan, the "koseki" is the most important form of document you'll encounter.

Climbing the branches of a Japanese family tree

By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Vol. 35: Travel in time — and stay there

Vol. 35: Travel in time — and stay there

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