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May 01, 2024
 

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Noah Smith
For Noah Smith's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 22, 2016
Let Japan's zombie firms die
If Japan wants to generate long-term growth, it needs to allow creative destruction. New companies can't grow when they are blocked by failing incumbents.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 20, 2016
Petroleum's plunge is great news for most of us
The initial shock from the oil collapse might be negative, but it will be outweighed by the positive effects before too long.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 5, 2016
Free Japan's universities so they can flourish
If Japan's bureacracy really loves the country's universities, it should end its micromanaging and set them free.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 4, 2016
Ex-colonies aren't poor because of West's plunder
The era of resource theft by rich countries is over and done. Yet still, somehow, many resource-rich former colonies remain poor despite controlling their own wealth.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 14, 2015
Putting a price tag on U.S. gun violence
Would the economic benefit of stricter gun control in the U.S. outweigh the economic cost?
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 1, 2015
Reviving Japan Inc.'s entertainment division
If Japan had its own cartoon-and-comics-driven Hollywood, it would increase its global cultural clout and give the economy a much needed boost.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 30, 2015
Japan's looming debt nightmare won't fix itself
Given that its long-term potential real GDP growth is no more than 1 percent, Japan needs to rein in its ballooning national debt through spending cuts or tax hikes.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 23, 2015
The nation needs workers, and women are ready
'Womenomics' has a chance to succeed, mostly because of Japan's demographic shortcomings rather than an earnest desire by companies to treat women better.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 15, 2015
The decline and fall of America's working class
Why are mortality rates rising for American working-class whites?
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 7, 2015
Like the suburbs? You'll love driverless cars
Driverless cars are on the way, and their impact is going to change our lives.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 1, 2015
'Abenomics' is doing fine
The economy is slowing due to factors totally outside of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's control — demographics and China.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 21, 2015
Does it matter that Japan got downgraded?
The Japanese sovereign downgrade isn't a meaningful development and markets will ignore it.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 7, 2015
China's institutions are beginning to hold it back
China's system of political-party-based property rights will probably prevent it from becoming a truly rich country.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 20, 2015
Job only half-done for Japan's working women
Women are entering Japan's workforce in greater numbers, but are still largely being shunted into low-paying, low-benefit jobs.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 10, 2015
How Japan can help India solve its infrastructure woes
Japan may be key to solving India's infrastructure woes — as a source of expertise and a source of funds.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 3, 2015
Is productivity the secret to a great economy?
Could the rise in intellectual property laws be driving down economic productivity?
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 31, 2015
Japan's Enron reckoning
The Toshiba scandal should be an impetus for the Abe government to do even more to improve corporate governance.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 15, 2015
Don't write off Canada's superpower potential
Keep an eye on the big country to the north of the U.S. — it could be headed for very important, very good things.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 5, 2015
Americans understand free trade's dark side
The American people are intelligent and grown-up enough to hear the basic case against free trade, as well as the case in favor.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 28, 2015
Closing America's black-white achievement gap
The black-white achievement gap in the U.S. can be slain by better education.
'So hot you can't breathe': Extreme heat hits the Philippines
A pedestrian cools himself with a folding hand fan as he waits for a ride along a road in Manila on Wednesday, as extreme heat hit the Philippines.
Yen rebounds strongly after first slide past ¥160 since 1990
The yen dropped to ¥160.245 per dollar on Monday before heading into the other direction to ¥155.01 amid speculation of an intervention by Japanese currency authorities.
Did Japan intervene to prop up the yen? Analysts think it did.
A man walks past an electronic board displaying the exchange rate for the yen against the U.S. dollar (right) in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAL cancels international flight after captain gets drunk at Dallas hotel
A Japan Airlines' flight from Dallas to Tokyo was canceled last week after its captain got drunk at a local hotel.
Golden Week crowds greeted with high temperatures as holiday period kicks off
The departure lobby for domestic flights is crowded with travelers at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on Saturday, the first day of this year's Golden Week holidays.
Climate change, chalky grains and the risks for Japan’s rice farmers
A farmer plants seedlings in Satsumasendai, Kagoshima Prefecture. Japan’s self sufficiency rate for rice is nearly 100%, compared with 38% for food overall, on a calorie basis.
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.

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

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

A young restaurant leads the way in Karuizawa
A young restaurant leads the way in Karuizawa

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