Commentary / World Oct 12, 2016
Secular stagnation or self-inflicted malaise?
The only way out of the malaise plaguing numerous economies is a hefty dose of creative destruction.
Hans-werner Sinn
For Hans-werner Sinn's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Commentary / World Aug 2, 2016
Saving EU's freedom of movement
The EU will disintegrate if it doesn't change its migration rules that have made it a welfare magnet for economic migrants.
Commentary / World Jan 31, 2016
EU welfare states under siege
If freedom of movement within Europe is to be maintained — and if high inflows of non-EU citizens continue — European welfare states face a stark choice: adjust or collapse.
Commentary / World Nov 29, 2015
Can the Islamic State threat unify Europe?
If recent events have taught us anything, it is that threats to the EU stem not from inadequate fiscal risk-sharing, but from insufficient coordination on foreign-policy and security challenges.
Commentary / World Oct 6, 2015
The German promised land is rapidly reaching its limits
In order to avert chaos, Germany has no choice but to impose restrictions on the number of migrants it accepts.
Commentary / World Mar 31, 2015
EU’s easy-money endgame
The euro has brought a balance-of-payments crisis to Europe, just as the gold standard did in the 1920s. Only one difference exists between the two episodes: In today's crisis, huge international rescue packages have been available. These rescue packages have relieved the eurozone's financial distress, ...
Commentary / World Sep 1, 2014
Italy's decline masks loss of competitiveness
There is no other way for Italy to correct its price differential with Germany and other EU members than to carry out a real depreciation, something that is easier said than done.
Commentary / World Apr 28, 2014
Debt runup looms as next phase of euro crisis
The euro crisis has passed through six phases so far. The seventh phase of the crisis appears to be one of enhanced moral hazard, stemming from a runup in debt.
Commentary Dec 30, 2013
Rescue of Europe must involve reform of euro
Eurozone members whose path to regaining competitiveness through price and wage reductions is too long and grueling, and whose societies risk being rent asunder by the imposition of austerity, may have to temporarily exit the monetary union.
Commentary / World May 10, 2013
Euro exit by Germany would be a big mistake
Politically it would be a big mistake for Germany to exit the eurozone, because doing so would jeopardize the greatest success story of the postwar period in Europe.