Takeshi Sasaki - The Japan Times

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Takeshi Sasaki

For Takeshi Sasaki's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

COMMENTARY / World

Mar 18, 2002

Ban pol-bureaucrat contacts

The alleged meddling in Foreign Ministry affairs by Liberal Democratic lawmaker Muneo Suzuki has stirred debate on rules governing relations between politicians and bureaucrats. The problem of "excessive interference" has been widely reported as highly abnormal, but I doubt whether that's so. In present-day Japan, politico-bureaucratic contact happens constantly without principles, restrictions or order. Indeed, the lack of excessive interference should be considered a matter of luck.

COMMENTARY / World

Jan 1, 2001

Wanted: a leadership strategy

Japan has stepped into the 21st century under not-so-comfortable political circumstances. Public approval ratings for the Cabinet of Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori remain extremely low, and half of the nation's voters say they have no political party to support. While the government has launched one stimulus package after another, policy measures to reform the economic structure have not achieved their intended effects. Many Japanese lament that the nation's future is doomed unless something is done, but the government appears to be at a loss over how to accept and respond to such calls, which in turn has fueled voter apathy toward politics.

COMMENTARY / World

Oct 31, 2000

Japan's visionless politics

Many Japanese watched on television at least part of the face-to-face debates between U.S. presidential candidates Al Gore and George W. Bush. Both candidates are said to be more or less middle-of-the-road types,with no defining differ ences in political philosophy. In my view, however, Bush showed himself to be a good Republican and Gore a good Democrat. They gave meaning to the debates by presenting contrasting policy options against a backdrop of the large budget surplus.

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

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

By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

A young restaurant leads the way in Karuizawa

A young restaurant leads the way in Karuizawa

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