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Antony Sguazzin
For Antony Sguazzin's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
A housing development next to the Sasol’s petrochemicals plant in Sasolburg, South Africa.
ENVIRONMENT
Mar 2, 2024
What it's like to live in the most polluted place on Earth
Coal and steel plants offer steady work for residents in South Africa's Vaal Triangle, yet they’re also pumping out harmful emissions.
The destruction of tunnels is advancing Israel’s stated aim of dismantling Hamas infrastructure so the group can’t repeat its deadly Oct. 7 assault. At the same time, it is reducing much of Gaza to rubble.
WORLD / Politics
Dec 8, 2023
Israeli warning on Hamas tunnels means months of destruction
The devastating outcome of a drawn-out campaign against the militant group is likely to leave many of about 2.2 million Palestinians homeless.
Employees monitor the production of Covishield, the local name for the COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford, at the Serum Institute of India in Pune, Maharashtra, India.
BUSINESS / Companies
Oct 5, 2023
Top vaccine maker seeks growth by selling shots to globetrotters
Serum Institute of India plans to start production of yellow fever and dengue shots for travelers to countries where those diseases are endemic.
Japan Times
WORLD
May 3, 2023
Fate of an eighth of the world’s white rhinos to be decided this week
The sale of the about 2,000 endangered rhinos, equipment and the land comes as South Africa fights to protect the animals in its nature reserves.
Japan Times
WORLD
Apr 28, 2023
How 60 million South Africans are being failed by the West's green ambitions
Only one coal-fired power plant has been closed, and some South African politicians are pushing to keep others open longer than planned as the country struggles to end daily blackouts.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 18, 2022
China may have created a trap for itself with African lending
Africa is heading toward a repayment crisis, with 22 of 54 nations at risk of so-called debt distress, according to World Bank and International Monetary Fund criteria.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 2, 2022
Selling a cleaner, affordable cooking fuel for Kenyan homes
Koko Networks in Nairobi supplies more than 675,000 households with clean-burning ethanol, which is used in the company's cookers and sold over an app.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 19, 2022
South Africa’s EV dream threatens $8.5 billion in climate aid
The landmark funding plan unveiled at last year's climate conference in Glasgow was meant to help South Africa wean itself off coal.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jul 4, 2022
Putin’s media blitz on Africa food crisis sparks alarm in Europe
Russian diplomats have gone on a media offensive in recent months to push the narrative that sanctions, rather than Russian blockades, are causing shortages.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jun 13, 2022
China surpasses U.S. in the eyes of young Africans, survey shows
The survey also showed that young Africans have lost faith in their own governments and are increasingly concerned about climate change.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jun 1, 2022
Climate change, driven by rich nations, brings African refugees to their doors
The number of Africans trying to make it to the U.S. southern border could potentially hit a record this year.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Apr 12, 2022
Two new omicron sublineages discovered by South African scientists
The lineages have not caused a spike in infections in South Africa and have been found in samples from a number of countries.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 14, 2022
Omicron less severe even for the unvaccinated, study says
The South African study, which is yet to be peer reviewed, offer data that suggests 'intrinsically reduced virulence of omicron.”
Japan Times
WORLD
Dec 8, 2021
Pfizer shot provides partial omicron shield, study finds
Researchers in South Africa found omicron reduces virus-blocking antibodies by 40-fold in people who have received two doses of the shot.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Sep 19, 2021
Palm oil giant’s industry-beating ESG score hides razed forests
In the impoverished West African country of Liberia, a unit of the world's second-largest palm oil company has admitted to destroying forests and violating the rights of indigenous people.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Feb 17, 2021
Upheaval is coming to South Africa over the shift away from coal
For decades almost all the electricity needed to power Africa's most industrialized economy has been produced by a fleet of aging coal-fired plants.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Dec 3, 2020
African nation worst hit by COVID-19 falling behind on vaccines
Almost 22,000 people have died of COVID-19 in South Africa, the 14th-highest figure worldwide.

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