author

 
 

Meta

James Oliphant
For James Oliphant's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
People drink as major news organizations project that Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump wins during the New Hampshire presidential primary election, at The Goat in Manchester, New Hampshire, on Tuesday.
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jan 24, 2024
In New Hampshire, Trump continued to flex his muscle with Republican base
Former president crushed challenger Nikki Haley among working-class voters without college degrees, exit polls show.
Casey DeSantis introduces her husband, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, as he makes a campaign visit ahead of the South Carolina presidential primary in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on Saturday.
WORLD / Politics
Jan 22, 2024
Ron DeSantis ends campaign, endorses Trump as New Hampshire vote looms
The move leaves former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley as Donald Trump's last remaining challenger for the GOP nomination.
Donald Trump and his campaign are keenly aware of the publicity and sympathy his court appearances can generate with his loyal base of supporters.
WORLD / Politics
Jan 18, 2024
A day in Trump's world: Morning in court, evening on the campaign
The former U.S. president's unusual schedule sums up the unprecedented nature of this year's election.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump greets attendees at a campaign rally in Indianola, Iowa, on Sunday.
WORLD / Politics
Jan 15, 2024
The Trump voters in swing states who are returning to the fold
To try to understand his enduring appeal, reporters spoke to five Trump supporters in five general election battleground states.
The Colorado Supreme Court building in downtown Denver on Tuesday. The Colorado Supreme Court, which barred former U.S. President Donald Trump from the state’s primary ballot, is composed of seven justices who were all appointed by Democratic governors.
WORLD / Politics
Dec 21, 2023
Colorado ballot case adds fuel to Trump's nomination drive
The Colorado Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that the former president was barred from its state ballot for engaging in "insurrection."
Japan Times
WORLD / ANALYSIS
May 25, 2023
Now that he's in 2024 race, Ron DeSantis needs more than anti-Trump voters
Analysts say DeSantis needs to build a strong base within the segment of the Republican Party not aligned with Trump before he can try to broaden his appeal.
Japan Times
WORLD / ANALYSIS
Apr 27, 2023
Ron DeSantis' showdown with Disney carries political risk
While DeSantis has tried to portray himself as a trustworthy, pro-growth steward of Florida’s economy, his stance on Disney has left some deep-pocketed Republican donors befuddled.
Japan Times
WORLD
Mar 14, 2023
Trump wades into education culture war as he eyes race with DeSantis
The former president has pledged to prohibit the teaching of so-called critical race theory in public schools and keep transgender athletes from competing in girls' sports.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Mar 5, 2023
At right-wing CPAC forum, Trump shows why he'll be tough to topple
The conference illustrated his grip on the right-wing, grassroots base of his party and how hard it could be to challenge him for the Republican nomination in 2024.
Japan Times
WORLD
Dec 7, 2022
A bad month for Trump: Three takeaways from Raphael Warnock's win in Georgia
U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock beat Republican challenger Herschel Walker in a Georgia runoff election that fortified the Democrats' Senate majority.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 21, 2022
After disappointing midterms, U.S. Republicans look to fresh faces for 2024
At the first major gathering of possible Republican 2024 presidential candidates this weekend, party members voiced a desire to move on from former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 11, 2022
Ron DeSantis' big election night shakes 2024 White House field
Trump remains intensely popular with the Republican party's base. But signs of discontent with Trump within the party are growing.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 10, 2022
Abortion and Trump dashed Republican hopes for 'red wave'
Exit polling and interviews with analysts and voters showed that while inflation was a leading driver for voters, the issue of protecting abortion rights was nearly as paramount.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / FOCUS
Aug 18, 2021
As murders in the U.S. surge, Democrats find a new message: Fund the police
Democratic city leaders are scrambling to boost police budgets amid the deadliest crime wave in two decades, a reflection of how deeply unpopular the 'defund' concept has become.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Feb 12, 2021
Anti-Trump Republicans face major challenge in launching third party
The resistance to a third party among some of Trump's toughest Republican critics underscores the extreme difficulty of such a political revolt.
Japan Times
WORLD / ANALYSIS
Sep 20, 2020
Sudden Supreme Court vacancy a new 'wild card' in U.S. presidential race
The death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has injected a volatile new element into the last stretch of a turbulent U.S. presidential race, potentially shifting the focus away from the coronavirus pandemic and the stagnant economy into a political battle over her successor.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Feb 6, 2020
Impeachment trial is over, but the final verdict on Trump is not yet in
In Hollywood, it is called a false ending — where the story appears to be heading to a close but is not yet over.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Apr 26, 2019
Instant Democratic front-runner Joe Biden's 2020 bid reshapes crowded White House race
Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden entered the 2020 Democratic presidential field on Thursday as an instant front-runner, drawing momentum away from other leading candidates and putting new pressure on underperformers to find ways to stay relevant.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Feb 6, 2019
Despite bipartisan sheen, Trump's State of the Union also touched all the right buttons with his base
Even as he appealed for unity, President Donald Trump made it clear in his State of the Union address on Tuesday that his idea of common ground is having Democrats back his policy agenda and stop investigating his administration.
Japan Times
WORLD
Aug 13, 2017
Charlottesville violence tests Trump's presidential mettle
The real world has begun to intrude upon the presidency of Donald Trump.

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