Sin-ming Shaw - The Japan Times

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Sin-ming Shaw

For Sin-ming Shaw's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

Japan Times

COMMENTARY / World

Jul 3, 2017

Hong Kong's handover hangover — a serious lack of real leadership

Hong Kong's leaders have let down both the city's residents and their Chinese overlords.

Japan Times

COMMENTARY / World

Oct 28, 2014

Above all, Hong Kong wants good governance

Rather than demands for democracy, the recent massive public demonstrations by students and young members of Hong Kong's middle class are actually about poor governance by a succession of leaders who were picked by China's central government more for their loyalty than for their competence.

COMMENTARY / World

Dec 31, 2013

Thai opposition prepares a silent coup d'état

The sense that Thailand has seen extreme partisan politics played out in the streets before would be mildly reassuring were it not for a nagging fear that this decent and prosperous society may be set to destroy its democracy.

COMMENTARY / World

Mar 13, 2013

The failure of Hong Kong's hollow leadership

Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying has himself to blame for his popularity plunge as he evades responsibility for major government failings.

COMMENTARY / World

Apr 23, 2010

Thailand's political and social elite in denial?

BANGKOK — Thailand's political and social fabric is fraying. Indeed, the country's future looks as shaky as it has never been.

COMMENTARY / World

Sep 17, 2009

With Chen behind bars, Taiwan set to heal

BANGKOK — Last week, a Taiwanese court sentenced Chen Shui-bian, Taiwan's president from 2000 until 2008, to life in prison for corruption. Chen had embezzled millions of dollars of public funds. He did not act alone. His wife, children and other relatives all helped to hide the stolen loot in overseas accounts. Taiwan's former first family turned out to be a den of common thieves.

COMMENTARY / World

May 19, 2009

Crony capitalism has taken root in America

BUENOS AIRES — For 20 years, Americans have denounced the "crony capitalism" of Third World countries, especially in Asia. But, just as those regions have been improving their public and corporate governance — Hong Kong just witnessed a breakthrough court decision against a telecom tycoon who is the son of the province's richest and most powerful man — crony capitalism is taking root in the United States, a country that the world long considered the gold standard of a level playing field in business.

COMMENTARY / World

Dec 9, 2008

Thailand turns: next stop Banana Republic

BANGKOK — "Thailand's future is up for grabs," proclaimed the eminent Thai scholar Thitinan Pongsudhirak last week just before the country's Constitutional Court ruled, in effect, that the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and its two smaller coalition partners are "illegal," and hence must disband because of "election frauds" committed by party executives a year ago.

COMMENTARY / World

Nov 15, 2006

Wasted chance as Taiwan's president

PRINCETON, New Jersey -- Taiwan's public prosecutor has indicted the wife of President Chen Shui-bian for embezzling public funds. Chen, as a sitting president, cannot be indicted even though the prosecutor says he has evidence to prove his guilt. But Chen's legacy was already in tatters.

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.

[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

Historically, kabuki was considered the entertainment of the merchant and peasant classes, a far cry from how it is regarded today.

For Japan's oldest kabuki theater, the show must go on

By Lance Henderstein

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

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