Alfred Balitzer - The Japan Times

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Alfred Balitzer

For Alfred Balitzer's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

COMMENTARY / World

Oct 23, 2004

Bush critics also hit at Reagan

CLAREMONT, California -- Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry criticizes President George W. Bush for "going it alone in Iraq," for failing to build the support of the United Nations and for failing to build an international coalition of America's traditional allies.

COMMENTARY / World

May 31, 2004

Elites out of touch on Iraq

CLAREMONT, California -- America's ability to play a positive role in the world, especially with regard to supporting its allies and friends, depends significantly on achieving its wartime aims in Iraq. While it is common to speak of the United States as the world's only remaining superpower, at best this is a transient designation: History books enthrall us with tales of the decline and fall of superpowers. A failure of political or military nerve in Iraq will lead to a tectonic shift in the world community, including the creation of a power vacuum that will tempt all sorts of dangerous ambitions.

COMMENTARY / World

May 23, 2002

Don't sweat three warships

During the Persian Gulf War, I wrote that "average Americans would think friendlier and more respectful thoughts about Japan if it were able to contribute soldiers -- standing side by side with Americans in the sands of Arabia -- than if it contributes a billion or more dollars." Now, Japanese sailors are standing watch in the Indian Ocean, side by side with their American counterparts, supporting the U.S. mission and prepared to defend themselves if necessary.

COMMENTARY / World

Feb 24, 2000

Americans hold positive view of Japan

An important new poll on U.S. attitudes toward Japan's wartime past will please neither those who feel that Japan has not done enough to atone nor those who believe that Japan has done all it needs to do. Using a sample of 1,000 registered voters in California, the survey by Pacific Research & Strategies is part of an annual program that asks American voters about their attitudes on Asia, Asians and U.S.-Asian relations.

COMMENTARY / World

Feb 10, 2000

Japan ill-served by its whitewash of wartime crimes

At the dawn of the new millennium, many nations continue to grapple with the historic and moral implications of World War II. In Berlin, the German government broke ground for a new Holocaust Memorial, and in Stockholm 40 heads of state joined with historians, educators and Jewish survivors of the Nazi genocide in an unprecedented display of international solidarity against Nazism and Holocaust denial. Clearly, there is a growing consensus that the civilization of the 21st century can only avoid repeating past errors by confronting history, not burying it. Sadly, there is a different picture as concerns Japanese war crimes of the 1930s and 1940s. Instead of measured and serious historic review, near hysteria is sweeping the ongoing debate over this issue.

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

Leading Japan’s sustainability from Tokyo

Leading Japan’s sustainability from Tokyo

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