author

 
 

Meta

Andrew Sheng
For Andrew Sheng's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
China is the world’s second-largest investor in research and development, having spent $410 billion in this area in 2022, 10% more than the previous year.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 7, 2024
China is lowering transaction costs for greater innovation
With projects such as a cooperation zone between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, China is championing small- and medium-sized firms as the engine of innovation.
A wind farm near near Golmud, Qinghai province, China
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 29, 2023
The promise of China’s sustainable-development path
As of this month, China has (since 2017) approved 572 “ecological civilization construction demonstration zones.”
By 2060, it is estimated that the combined gross domestic products of China, India and Indonesia will equal $116.7 trillion, making the bloc's economy three times larger than the United States.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 15, 2023
The irresistible rise of the rest of the world
With 90% of the world's population, non-Western countries will no longer accept being excluded from global decision-making.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 16, 2023
China’s stunted transformation
China has run into major road blocks as it has attempted to implement its "dual circulation" growth strategy.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 14, 2023
How to restructure Chinese supply chains
China must reconfigure its industries and supply chains to meet the challenges posed by rising geopolitical tensions and rapid population aging.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 8, 2023
Are we sleepwalking into a prolonged global recession?
The current wave of interest-rate hikes has slowed inflation but also popped several asset bubbles, potentially triggering additional debt and financial crises.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 3, 2023
Reimagining global development
With the global economy teetering on the edge of a financial crisis, it is time for emerging-market and developing economies to revise their development strategies.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 9, 2023
Everyone loses in a fractured world
The dominance of national-security hawks distorts economic policy and impedes the delivery of global public goods — and could lead to an all-out global conflict.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 25, 2023
The fate of the global balance sheet and economic health
Whether global wealth continues to fall in 2023 will depend significantly on two factors: The effectiveness of Chinese policy and the strength of international economic cooperation.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 9, 2022
Quantitative easing the Chinese way
While most major central banks are now reversing quantitative easing and raising interest rates, China may need to head in the opposite direction.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 9, 2022
China girds for tough times
Historically, China has carried out its most important reforms in times of crisis.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 20, 2022
In search of a development plan for Asia
No matter how compelling a top-down development plan for Asia might be, it is highly unlikely to ever be implemented.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 9, 2022
Sustainable development is a matter of market design
High-level sustainable development objectives need to be implemented at grassroots levels and with the right market structures and incentives.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 14, 2022
The Group of 20 in an age of war
From a demographic perspective, the G20 is a much more legitimate grouping u2014 in terms of representing a diverse, complex world u2014 than the G7.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 25, 2022
It takes a smart village to build sustainable prosperity
To improve the quality of life, we need to expand access to high-quality services u2014 including water, energy, transport and internet u2014 even to far-flung rural areas.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 5, 2022
War and peace after China’s great transformation
In recent years, Chinau2019s u201cgreat transformationu201d into the worldu2019s largest economy has become enmeshed in a deepening confrontation with the U.S. and the wider West.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 16, 2022
The international monetary system is more unfit than ever
With the U.S. dollar being weaponized through sanctions, it is clear that the current system is far from neutral u2014 or sustainable.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 14, 2022
A resilient China tries to navigate a hostile world
With its u201cdual-circulation strategy,u201d China is focusing on increasing self-reliance and thus its ability to withstand external pressures and disruptions.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 30, 2022
How much has the pandemic cost the world?
In responding to the pandemic, policymakers have faced an awful dilemma: keep the economy open and risk more COVID-19 deaths, or impose lockdowns and destroy livelihoods.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 28, 2021
The right war for the U.S. and China
Unlike the U.S., China is not initiating futile arms races, which will increase environmental damage and divert funding away from climate change mitigation efforts.

Longform

A statue of "Dragon Ball" character Goku stands outside the offices of Bandai Namco in Tokyo. The figure is now as recognizable as such characters as Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man.
Akira Toriyama's gift to the world