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Nobuo Asai
For Nobuo Asai's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
COMMENTARY
Feb 27, 2001
A crash and a culture clash
The collision off Oahu Island between the Japanese fisheries training ship Ehime Maru and the U.S. nuclear-powered submarine USS Greeneville has drawn an unprecedentedly sensitive reaction from Japanese people. There are a number of reasons for this sensitivity on the part of the Japanese, and it is feared that the Japanese may have a stronger feeling of distrust in the United States if this problem is not handled properly.
COMMENTARY
Sep 19, 2000
Dispute defies quick solution
Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and Russian President Vladimir Putin failed in their recent Tokyo summit to resolve the bilateral territorial dispute over the Northern Territories, stirring mixed reactions in the two countries. Although they agreed to continue peace-treaty talks toward the yearend deadline, the leaders made little progress in solving the issue.
COMMENTARY
Aug 22, 2000
Still coping with the Gulf War
Ten years ago, the world was in turmoil over the Persian Gulf crisis that started with the Iraq invasion of Kuwait. Now a new crisis appears to be brewing between Arabs and Israelis.
COMMENTARY / World
May 23, 2000
Filling in the gaps of a Japan-North Korea deal
Suspense is growing over whether the first North-South Korea summit will be held in June as scheduled. It has obscured ongoing Japan-North Korea talks on diplomatic normalization. Japanese public attention is focused on the alleged abduction of a dozen Japanese by North Korean agents. It is anybody's guess how the question will be settled.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 8, 2000
Indonesia tempted by authoritarianism
Does the recent crisis in Indonesia indicate that democratizing a nation too rapidly will lead to disorder? The crux of the issue involves the effectiveness and limitations of authoritarian and military control that guarantee stability.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 20, 1999
A diplomatic 'paper tiger'?
In recent years, we have seen active debate on Japan's sanctions-based diplomacy. Discussions focused on the justifications for and effects of sanctions, as well as changes in the balance of power resulting from the lifting of such measures. The lifting of sanctions against North Korea Dec. 14 renewed the debate.

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