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Arne Delfs
For Arne Delfs's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
A Ukrainian lieutenant colonel examines the remains of his aircraft on the outskirts of the town of Izyum, Kharkiv region, on Wednesday.
WORLD / Politics
Apr 19, 2024
Ukraine’s allies see bleak times without more air defenses
G7 ministers are expected to agree to step up shipments of military equipment and to reaffirm their "unwavering determination” to support Ukraine.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers a speech as she visits Cafe Kyiv, in Berlin on Feb. 19.
WORLD / Politics
Feb 20, 2024
Von Der Leyen seeks new EU term with pivot on defense sector
Her candidacy, which was widely expected, comes as the EU faces a change in leadership with a possible surge in far-right and populist forces.
Ukrainian police officers and rescue workers clear away the rubble of a destroyed house after a Russian rocket attack in Kramatorsk, Donetsk region, on Saturday.
WORLD / Politics
Feb 19, 2024
Ukraine’s allies are gaming out a world where the U.S. retreats
NATO members are beginning to doubt the U.S. will maintain its traditional role of protecting Europe as part of the alliance.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jul 19, 2023
EU’s Latin America charm offensive hits a roadblock over Putin
Discussions this week highlighted challenges that Europe and the G7 will face, especially as the BRICS alliance grows in size and influence.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 16, 2023
Germany warns companies to manage China risks in tougher stance
Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s administration is pushing Germany’s biggest companies to make sure their risks in China are manageable.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jul 15, 2023
Germans aren’t buying Scholz’s plan to keep them safe and rich
With his coalition government beset by squabbling, the shadow of a recession lingering, and its economic model under threat, the Social Democrat is on the back foot again.
Japan Times
WORLD
May 15, 2023
Germany is experiencing a mass worker shortage. Can migration fix it?
About 320,000 more people will reach retirement age this year than become adults, meaning the German economy will lose workers while also having to pay more for pensions.
Japan Times
WORLD
Apr 29, 2023
Europe takes tougher stance toward China in boost to U.S. policy
Countries such as Germany and Italy are following the Netherlands’ example and studying export and investment controls adopted by the U.S.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 30, 2023
Germany's Olaf Scholz visits South America in race with China for lithium
Nations like Germany are competing fiercely for increasingly scarce resources, and access to metals and rare earths is crucial for the transition to cleaner and more advanced economies.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jun 8, 2022
Merkel casts doubt on isolating Russia after Putin’s ‘big mistake’
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has exposed Europe's largest economy to a series of risks and raised questions about Merkel's policies during her tenure as chancellor.
Japan Times
WORLD / FOCUS
Jan 27, 2022
Germany’s Olaf Scholz is tested as West’s weak link in Ukraine crisis
While some are frustrated by Scholz's cautious rhetoric and body language regarding Ukraine, others believe that he is willing 'to go all in if necessary.”
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 15, 2022
Europe sees ‘new normal’ of constant Russia tensions on doorstep
As the U.S. and its allies struggle for a sense of Putin's true intentions, their attention is turning to what might happen either alongside, or in place of, a full military attack.
Japan Times
WORLD
Nov 24, 2021
Germany faces brutal COVID-19 outbreak after next leader brushed aside call for curbs
A lack of leadership in Europe's largest economy has paved the way for a surge in infections, and threatens to cloud the new tenure of Olaf Scholz, Angela Merkel's successor.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jun 11, 2021
Attending her last G7, Merkel has had enough of U.S. leadership
For Merkel, the relief is genuine at the prospect of dealing with Biden rather than Trump. Still, Europe is determined to carve out a bigger global role on a par with the U.S.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / FOCUS
Mar 25, 2021
Merkel’s COVID-19 crisis is changing the shape of upcoming election
Reverberations from a quickly reversed Easter lockdown decision could have significant consequences for the future of Europe's largest economy.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / FOCUS
Jan 11, 2021
Merkel’s party, due to pick a new leader, is torn after years of stability
A two-day convention that starts Friday to elect a new leader can go two ways: kick-start a process of renewal or usher in a period of stagnation and decline.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jun 18, 2019
As Angela Merkel's coalition attempts to hang on, Greens ride to brink of power in Germany
When the scruffy Greens marched into the German parliament nearly four decades ago in jeans and sneakers, they were sidelined and ridiculed. Today, the party has a legitimate shot at governing Europe's largest economy.
Japan Times
WORLD
May 4, 2018
Look who's picking up the tab for Karl Marx's birthday bash: China
Karl Marx's home town is holding a party for the "Communist Manifesto" author's bicentenary, and China is paying for the birthday gift.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Jul 3, 2015
Referendum won't end Greek drama
Germany and the rest of the euro region are bracing for more Greek political upheaval followed by tortuous negotiations, even if the country votes for more austerity in Sunday's referendum.

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