Abul Kalam - The Japan Times

Today's print edition

Subscribe for more access

Meta

Abul Kalam

For Abul Kalam's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

CULTURE / Books

Apr 29, 2001

Japan's 'grand strategy' for the new millennium

JAPAN'S SECURITY POLICY FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY, by Talukder Maniruzzaman. Dhaka: The University Press Limited, 2000, 78 pp., $4. Japan, the world's second-largest industrial economy, often finds itself labeled an "economic superpower" -- a fulsome category that differs from the traditional "superpower." In terms of scientific attainments and technological innovation, Japan is envied by most other nations and cultures. As Asia's leading economic-technological giant, it has generated a sense of shared pride in the region and is often taken as a developmental model, although there are also concerns and insecurities.

COMMENTARY / World

Aug 21, 2000

Addressing the growing role of NGOs

The post-Cold War era has witnessed the rise to prominence of many types of nonstate players on the international stage, including international, regional and subregional organizations, trade regimes, multinational corporations and nongovernmental organizations. The last group has perhaps drawn the most attention.

COMMENTARY / World

Jul 23, 2000

Japan as a global environmental model

Japan's miraculous postwar recovery and spectacular economic growth earned it worldwide admiration and led many to view it as a growth model. Subsequently, however, it became clear that Japan's economic growth came at a huge cost in terms of environmental degradation and human health.

COMMENTARY / World

Jun 26, 2000

Sense and nonsense in nuclear-arms policy

For his key role in establishing Japan's commitment to nonnuclear principles in 1967, Prime Minister Eisuke Sato went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Yet it was recently revealed that he privately referred to the three principles as "nonsense" and allowed a U.S. nuclear aircraft carrier to enter a Japanese port.

COMMENTARY / World

May 20, 2000

Sri Lanka's violence threatens India

For a number of years after it achieved independence, Sri Lanka was viewed as the most promising country in South Asia. It had the highest literacy rate, the highest GNP per capita and was the most favorable destination in the region for tourists and investors alike. That all ended with an upsurge of ethnic unrest in 1977 involving the majority Sinhalese and the 3.2 million-strong Tamil minority, who clamored for a separate "Eelam" (independent country) or "Tamil homeland" in the north. The insurgency led by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam that started in 1983 is now 17 years old, has claimed nearly 63,000 lives and has destroyed hopes for the achievement of a peaceful Sri Lanka.

COMMENTARY / World

May 1, 2000

Toward a new world order or disorder?

The spring meeting of the Bretton Woods institutions, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Washington, once again brought to question the state of health of the global economy. The event highlighted the phenomenon of what is perceived as a "guerrilla war" against global corporate structures controlled from Washington.

COMMENTARY / World

Mar 20, 2000

A role for Japan in South Asian peace

South Asia has witnessed an upsurge of violence since the military takeover in Pakistan and the hijacking of an Indian airliner last year. There may or may not be any causal link between the two incidents, but the peace process in the region has been the biggest casualty of both.

COMMENTARY / World

Jan 27, 2000

Bringing an end to South Asia's cycle of violence

South Asia once again is in a cycle of violence. It began with the drama of the seven-day hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814. The ordeal came to a shocking end on the eve of the new millennium as India's external affairs minister, who vowed to not give in to the terrorists' demands, swapped three "terrorists," whose release was demanded by the hijackers, for the hostages. Although the hijacking was resolved, India and Pakistan remain enveloped in a cycle of violence whose facets include a blame game, a diplomatic campaign, the trading of accusations, cross-border skirmishes and intensified violence in the Kashmir Valley.

COMMENTARY / World

Jan 3, 2000

Planning cleaner, greener cities in Asia

The great cities of East Asia, such as Tokyo, Shanghai and Seoul are mature in terms of development and offer little scope for major environmental planning. But within the smaller cities around them exists room for improvement. The port cities of Layonko, near Shanghai, Kaoshang in Taiwan and Yokohama are cities where environmental planning is taking place. These cities are striving for an ideal: sustainable development, limited pollution, sound waste disposal/management systems and a decent quality of life. Their renewed emphasis on a healthier environment can serve as a model for other cities around the world.

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

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

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER

international-reports