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Francis Wilkinson
For Francis Wilkinson's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
U.S. President Joe Biden hosts Democratic congressional leaders at the White House in January.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 19, 2023
Why Democrats are 'ride or die' for Biden
Joe Biden has been unwilling to shift the responsibility for defending democracy to other shoulders. A lot of Democrats are uneasy with that.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 16, 2023
Why can’t the Republicans quit Donald Trump?
Republican presidential candidates are preaching the same message — but Trumpism without Trump isn’t selling.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 28, 2023
‘Wrong address’ shootings reflect America’s rising paranoia
Gun makers, politicians and media have fed a culture of fear that sees threats lurking around every corner
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 5, 2023
Fox News is trapped by its own zealotry
Fear of losing viewers to more fervent purveyors of the Trump gospel ultimately ensnared the Fox news network in a $1.6 billion defamation suit.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 6, 2022
Can polls survive losing half the country?
Yes, U.S. voter surveys were very wrong two years ago, but the mistakes weren't the result of partisan bias.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 6, 2020
Biden may be winning, but America’s future isn’t
Places where politics were all consuming and all important are invariably places with big problems. America is now such a place.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 27, 2018
NRA's blunders fueled the gun-safety marches
The gun lobby created the movement that threatens to swamp it.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 26, 2016
The differences between the Bushes and Trump
You have to be personally ambitious, occasionally ruthless, to seek the U.S. presidency, but you don't have to be sleazy or a demagogue. That's where the Bushes part ways with Donald Trump.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 21, 2016
Trump gives Clinton her much-needed cause
The political context around Hillary Clinton has changed. Donald Trump has transformed her from a transactional candidate to a conviction candidate.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 10, 2015
Sons and gun lovers, a tragic combination
Yet another deadly shooting in America, but the gun fetishists still refuse to acknowledge the need for even a minimal dose of common sense.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 26, 2014
America's gun culture and the manly virtues
As growing economic autonomy among American women reshapes breadwinning and gender roles, it's getting tough out there for tough guys. So it doesn't take much imagination to grasp the appeal of holding a gun to some men.

Longform

Historically, kabuki was considered the entertainment of the merchant and peasant classes, a far cry from how it is regarded today.
For Japan's oldest kabuki theater, the show must go on