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Patricia Cohen
For Patricia Cohen's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Awang Suang trims weeds from palm trees on his small plantation in Membakut, Malaysia on Feb. 12. He has been cultivating oil palms for more than 50 years after switching from rubber trees. Palms require less labor and produce more frequent harvests — roughly every two weeks, year round — providing a steadier income, he explained.
ENVIRONMENT / Sustainability
Mar 18, 2024
Can Europe save forests without killing jobs in Malaysia?
A new regulation aims to rid the palm oil supply chain of imports that come from former forestland.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 15, 2023
The ‘peace dividend’ is over in Europe. Now come the hard tradeoffs.
Defending against an unpredictable Russia in years to come will mean bumping up against a strained social safety net and ambitious climate transition plans.
Japan Times
WORLD
Sep 7, 2022
Portugal could hold an answer for a Europe captive to Russian gas
Long cut off from the continent's grid, Portugal and Spain built a system based on imports and alternatives like solar that is the envy of fellow European Union nations.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 8, 2022
Global growth will be choked amid inflation and war, World Bank says
The World Bank said the war in Ukraine, supply chain chokeholds, COVID-19 lockdowns in China, and rises in energy and food prices are exacting a growing toll on economies.
Japan Times
WORLD
May 27, 2022
As Russia diverges from the global economy, Soviet-style scarcity looms
The economic toll on Russia, although difficult to quantify, has spread widely, from its largest companies to its small shops and workers.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 19, 2022
Bleak assessments of the Russian economy clash with Putin’s rosy claims
Russia's central bank chief has warned that the consequences of sanctions were only beginning to be felt, and Moscow's mayor said 200,000 jobs were at risk in the capital alone.
Japan Times
WORLD
Feb 24, 2022
Climate fears on back burner as fuel costs soar and Ukraine crisis deepens
The perils of a warming planet are no less calamitous now, but debate about transitioning to renewable energy has taken a back seat to energy security.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 26, 2022
Slowdowns in U.S. and China will hold back global growth, report says
Higher inflation, supply chain chokepoints, and pandemic-related shutdowns and worker shortages continue to afflict rich and poor nations, the IMF said.

Longform

High-end tourism is becoming more about the kinds of experiences that Japan's lesser-known places can provide.
Can Japan lure the jet-set class off the beaten path?