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April 27, 2024
 

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Michael J. Boskin
For Michael J. Boskin's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 28, 2017
Can Trump turn his presidency around?
U.S. President Donald Trump still has an opportunity to cut taxes, improve U.S. infrastructure, and replace or amend the Affordable Care Act — but he must first learn how to cooperate with Congress.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 16, 2017
Birth of a Trump doctrine?
If the gamble Trump is taking in trying to renegotiate agreements doesn't backfire, it could define a new doctrine for the U.S. role in the world.
COMMENTARY / World
May 2, 2017
The technology policy debate
With governments and citizens already struggling with the consequences of recent innovations — from job displacement to security risks — technology policy is likely to take center stage in the coming decade.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 23, 2016
The problem with politicians as historians
For generations, political leaders have attempted to shape their image. Today, it is U.S. President Barack Obama's turn to attempt to define his legacy.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 25, 2016
Should Britain leave the EU?
If British voters are to make the right choice about remaining in the EU, they will have to cut through the hyperbolic claims being made by leaders on both sides.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 29, 2016
U.S. election and the global economy
The outcome of the U.S. election will have profound consequences for U.S. economic policy, and thus for the global economy.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 30, 2015
New year's resolutions for the global economy
Global growth doesn't promise to be much better in 2016 than it was this year, but policy changes could boost incomes and expand opportunities for people everywhere.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 3, 2015
Making the case for the TPP trade agreement
The Trans-Pacific Partnership would not only bring economic benefits — it would also encourage cooperation in other, more contentious areas.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 27, 2015
What should China do?
China must avoid reverting to greater state control in its effort to get its economy back on track.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 18, 2015
Can the BRICS fulfill their former promise?
The ability of the BRICS countries to develop institutions that support greater economic freedom, with more reliance on market competition and less on government, will likely be the main determinant of their long-term success.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 30, 2015
Is low growth the global economy's new norm?
While no one should expect a return to the pre-crisis boom years, the right government incentives encourage more robust economic growth.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 21, 2014
The next trade breakthroughs
The North American Free Trade Agreement is proof that properly designed free trade agreements spur global growth.
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 29, 2014
Criminalizing policy rifts
Criticism of policy decisions should not be allowed to curdle into the hateful vitriol that demeans so much public discourse today. Words have consequences and can inflame thuggery or worse.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 3, 2014
Europe may have weathered financial storm, but aging society will need structural reform
Europe may have weathered the financial storm, but elected leaders face a daunting task enacting structural reforms of labor markets, pension systems and taxes to restore growth.
COMMENTARY
Jan 21, 2014
A Dutch cure for the Dutch disease
When a country like the Netherlands, which built one of the world's most expansive welfare states in the 1960s and '70s, reverses course to reduce welfare dependency and to restore work incentives, it is worth noting.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 2, 2013
Why Chile prospers and Argentina flounders
Tale of two economies: Argentina should learn from its Western neighbor, Chile, and a new administration in Chile should look across the Andes, recognize where its proposals risk taking the country, and change course before it is too late.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 28, 2013
World watches trans-Atlantic free trade talks
The world watches as negotiations commence between the U.S. and the European Union on potentially the largest regional free trade accord in history.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 27, 2010
Finance and trade tremors
PALO ALTO, Calif. — With the American and global economies in the early stages of postrecession recovery, serious questions remain about that recovery's strength and sustainability. In addition to traditional business-cycle concerns, there is a long list of policy tensions threatening to curb growth, including: (1) protectionism, (2) currencies, (3) monetary- and fiscal-stimulus exit strategies and (4) the explosion of public debt.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 29, 2009
Balance sheets key to an economic recovery
PALO ALTO, Calif. — Early signs of a manufacturing rebound, already strong in Asia, lend hope for some modest recovery from today's deep global recession. But a strong and durable economic expansion is unlikely until progress is made in dealing with the toxic assets poisoning the balance sheets of financial institutions and bedeviling policymakers almost everywhere.
COMMENTARY / World
May 31, 2009
Obamanomics gets warning flag
PALO ALTO, Calif. — It is still too soon to gauge the full economic impact of U.S. President Barack Obama's implemented and proposed policies, but a preliminary read indicates limited short-term benefit at large long-term cost.
New JAL chief concerned about yen’s ‘excessive’ weakness
Mitsuko Tottori became Japan Airlines’ first female CEO on April 1, having risen through the ranks as a flight attendant and heading the flight attendant and customer experience divisions.
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.
Yen inches closer to intervention point as BOJ meeting starts
The rate of the yen against the U.S. dollar is displayed in the trading room at foreign exchange brokerage Gaitame.com in Tokyo on Thursday.
Princess Aiko makes debut at imperial garden party
Princess Aiko attends an imperial garden party in Tokyo on Tuesday.
Tokyo's Koto Ward by-election a race unlike any other
Natsumi Sakai, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan’s candidate and one of four female candidates running in the by-election, touts her experience as a cancer survivor and midwife as having prepared her to tackle issues that women currently face.
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.
Top U.S. and China diplomats talk tough amid warnings of new ‘downward spiral’
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Friday
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.
For amateur sumo, a fresh start offers hope against time-wasting and gamesmanship
Wrestlers prepare for the start of a bout at the 2023 Sumo World Championships in Tokyo. Starting this month, placing one hand on the clay first is no longer allowed.

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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