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July 16, 2025
 

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Zhang Jun
MIT professor Yasheng Huang argues that the seeds of China’s decline were planted as far back as the 6th century with the implementation of the famed and stifling Keju civil-service examination system.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 14, 2024
Understanding China’s political economy
The seeds of China’s decline were planted as far back as the 6th century, with the implementation of the stifling Keju civil-service examination system.
China's exports fell by 14.5% year on year in July, a stark contrast from the robust 17.2% export growth recorded in July 2022.
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 11, 2023
Why hasn’t China rushed to bail out its economy?
China's reluctance to unveil a massive stimulus package despite the ongoing economic slowdown has puzzled foreign observers and the Chinese public alike.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 19, 2023
Don’t write off China’s economic recovery
While China's post-pandemic economic recovery has so far lagged well behind expectations, a supportive policy package can go a long way toward changing that.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 30, 2023
China’s abandoned illusion of high growth
Instead of chasing rapid growth rates at a time when the world economy is sputtering, China is emphasizing job creation and macroeconomic stability.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 10, 2023
China’s savings conundrum
Forced to stay at home by stringent 'zero-COVID' lockdowns, Chinese stashed $3.9 trillion in bank deposits last year.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 12, 2022
Why might China avoid strong inflation?
The Chinese government knows an overly strong stimulus would entail excessive monetary expansion and a surge in inflation.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 20, 2022
What justifies China’s 'COVID Zero' policy?
In the years since COVID-19's emergence, China has devised and implemented a highly effective disease-outbreak response system.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 27, 2022
Beijing is hedging its bets against geopolitical shock
U.S. efforts to slow Beijing's ascension on the global stage will not have a lasting impact, let alone stop China's economic and technological rise.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 23, 2021
Turning inward: Why China continues to rise
The heyday of globalization soon could be replaced by a post-pandemic era shaped by national-security concerns and border controls.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 4, 2021
China’s unavoidable financial rise
Many economists in the West did not see China's massive growth coming, and its influence is now becoming impossible to ignore.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 23, 2021
What explains America’s antagonism toward China?
In the last few years, the view of China as a strategic rival has taken over the American political mainstream, with leaders largely choosing confrontation over cooperation.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 29, 2021
China’s accelerating fertility crisis
China has always been cautious about loosening family-planning rules. But, if it is to sustain its economic dynamism in the decades to come, it must work hard to expand its labor force.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 18, 2021
Biden should end the trade war with China
Instead of upholding Trump's confrontational China policy, Biden should accept China's central role in the global economy, and pursue a mutually beneficial trade agreement.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 24, 2020
A tale of two Chinese cities: Shenzhen and Shanghai
Shanghai and Shenzhen are both vital to China's economic future. But neither is more important than the other and each has a unique role to play.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 3, 2020
China's damaging policy disruptions
Like an overprotective parent, China's central government needs to learn to let go.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 4, 2015
China's pursuit of a new world economic order
Whether the renminbi is added to the SDR basket this October, a gradual transformation of the global system to accommodate China seems all but inevitable.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 24, 2014
Making sense of China's economic growth model
Although China's economy has expanded at a staggering pace over the last three decades, its growth model is now widely agreed to be exhausted. Many economists endorse a shift to consumption-driven growth propelled by gains in efficiciency.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 11, 2013
Slowdown belies untapped potential in China
The economic slowdown in China belies its untapped potential. The question is whether Beijing will take advantage of the cost shocks to implement necessary structural reforms.
Students in Japan struggle with Japanese language and math sections on national exam
The correct answer rate for the Japanese language section on a national test dropped to 67.0% from 67.8% the previous year among elementary school sixth-graders.
Japan team finds ancient ocean full of squids
The ancient ocean was full of squids, whose population exceeded that of fish or ammonites, a Japanese research team mainly from Hokkaido University has found through a new method using technology.
Japan researchers identify gut bacteria strain that boosts anticancer drugs
Researchers at the National Cancer Center Japan say a new type of gut bacteria named YB328 could help unlock the potential of cancer immunotherapy.
Tourists in Japan have telemedicine options before calling 119
Foreign tourists at Tsukiji Outer Market in Tokyo. More than 1 million international visitors have a medical issue in Japan every year.
How remote work is rewriting the migrant experience in Japan
After pandemic-era border regulations eased, Indian migrants began returning to Japan. Their population now stands at more than 50,000 across the country.
Japanese scientists discover clue to why women burn more fat than men
Scientists say a recently-published study could help explain why women are typically less prone to weight-related conditions and may lead to new therapies that target calorie-burning mechanisms.
Music idol and anime fandom merch is big business
Businesses who cater to fandoms gathered at Tokyo Lifestyle Week for the second annual Oshikatsu — Merch Collection Expo, a trade show devoted to fandom goods.
U.S. urges clarity on Japan’s role in potential war over Taiwan, report says
A Ground Self-Defense Force member conducts a military drill with an anti-ship missiles unit, at the GSDF's base on Miyako Island in Okinawa Prefecture in April 2022.
Tourists in Japan have telemedicine options before calling 119
Foreign tourists at Tsukiji Outer Market in Tokyo. More than 1 million international visitors have a medical issue in Japan every year.
Is Japanese skin really ‘too smooth’ for Hideo Kojima’s games?
Hideo Kojima, the leading auteur in Japanese video games, has skirted controversy in the wake of the release of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

After pandemic-era border regulations eased, Indian migrants began returning to Japan. Their population now stands at more than 50,000 across the country.
How remote work is rewriting the migrant experience in Japan
By Megha Wadhwa

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