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July 04, 2025
 

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Jesper Koll

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Jesper Koll
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World / Perspectives
Apr 4, 2021
Can COVID-19 turbocharge the 'Asian century'?
If nothing else, the China-U.S. rivalry has forced Japan to become a genuine leader for Asia.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 7, 2021
Who is afraid of bursting the bubble? Not Japan’s elite
We will never know whether the elite's proactive bursting of the bubble brought more or less pain and hardship on society than a laissez-faire approach would have.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 5, 2021
A new golden age for Japanese entrepreneurs
No matter how small the startup, because of COVID-19, it can finally hire people, build teams, invest in what always yields the highest returns for any new venture — human capital.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 29, 2020
Ten surprises that await Japan in 2021
Next year is poised to be a great year for Japan. My main predictions are unashamedly bullish: Exports will get a boost from a re-acceleration in global growth; there will be a surprise pickup in domestic demand with business investments kicking in and, most importantly, consumers will begin to open...
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 13, 2020
Japanese capitalism can teach U.S. lessons in income growth and equality
There is no denying that Japan does have an underbelly of poor people, but compared to the United States, only relatively few are truly left behind financially.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 18, 2020
Putting Japan's coming inheritance windfall to good use
The final journey of Japan's baby boomers is poised to free up inheritance fund flows of as much as u00a5550 trillion (about $5 trillion) over the next ten years alone.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 10, 2020
Can Abe's successor lead Japan to economic prosperity?
Incoming prime minister now faces corporate leaders in a sweet spot of unprecedented openness for potentially radical and creative evolution.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 6, 2020
The specter of financial socialism
The world needs a strong and confident narrative of free-market capitalism and liberal democracy more than ever.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 9, 2020
Preparing for a post-Abe agenda
To assure Japan's future prosperity and success, open-minded, strong and decisive political leadership is necessary.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jun 11, 2020
Don't bet against post-pandemic Japan
Japanese corporations are in an excellent position to use the global economic crisis as an opportunity.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 7, 2020
Toward a new and better 'normal'
The forces toward digitalization unleashed by the COVID-19 crisis will make Japan stronger, more competitive and more prosperous.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 2, 2020
Policy goal: How to get from good to great
As Japanese and global policymakers are rushing to design policies to counter the looming economic depression, advice from one of my favorite economists, Jean-Baptiste Say, comes to mind. In 1803 he wrote: “In policy as well as in morality, the grand secret is not to constrain the actions, but to awaken...
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 5, 2020
COVID-19 crash-testing Abenomics
The COVID-19 outbreak gives Japan's private sector leaders a chance to turn crisis into opportunity.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 6, 2020
Japan's problem? Too much competition
If you thought Japan was a prime example of socialism that works, think again.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 9, 2020
10 surprises for Japan in 2020
Japan's prospects for the new year appear stellar.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets / the Argument: foreign investment
Jan 6, 2020
Japan's foreign exchange law: New curbs on global investors won't serve Japan's broader national interests
The Argument is a feature dedicated to promoting dialogue and deeper understanding of contentious issues by introducing various viewpoints.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 5, 2019
Economic priorities beyond Abenomics
Japan must move beyond Abenomics to start a new era of confidence and sustained growth.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 7, 2019
Japan, by Japanese and for Japanese
Japanese markets for the Japanese and by the Japanese is poised to become the next big megatrend in Tokyo financial markets.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 8, 2019
Unfinished business for corporate leaders
A nation's economic performance and prosperity depends on the animal spirits and leadership of private enterprise.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 13, 2019
Abe's lesson in stability and pragmatism
Team Abe is not afraid to use power and has an agenda that is pro-growth and pro-business.
Magnitude 5.5 earthquake jars Tokara Islands amid flurry of seismic activity
A strong quake struck off the Tokara Islands on Thursday afternoon, with the island chain having recorded around 1,000 earthquakes since a burst of seismic activity first began on June 21.
Onosato's yokozuna promotion causes rare quirk in new sumo rankings
Newly promoted yokozuna Onosato holds a copy of the latest banzuke ranking in Anjo, Aichi Prefecture, on Monday.
A prophesied disaster (likely) won’t strike Japan this weekend
A viral manga prediction of a July 5 disaster has gripped Japan with anxiety and triggered an economic impact, but experts warn that while such dates are unreliable, the threat of a massive earthquake remains real. 
Over 900 earthquakes strike Tokara islands in space of two weeks
A screenshot shows many quakes occurring in the Tokara islands over the past 30 days, in this image taken from the U.S. Geological Survey website.
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Flag football facing challenges and opportunities ahead
Japan’s women’s flag football team at the 2025 International Bowl in Los Angeles in June. The sport is enjoying continued growth in the country.
From Hokusai’s Great Wave, shinkansen to One Piece: a cultural treasure box for Lego Japan
Michael Ebbesen, general manager of Lego Japan, says Lego bricks based on Japanese culture have a rich global appeal and are sellable around the world.
With farmed fish, RelationFish swims against the tide in fine dining
Chef Hideaki Matsuo (middle) and the staff of Oseto Suisan Fisheries prepare to check on their sustainably farmed fish.
As Southeast Asia heats up, a Japanese cooling giant sees a major opportunity
An employee of Daikin Cambodia explains the use of different tools during an air conditioner installation training session in Phnom Penh. Daikin is one of Japan’s oldest air conditioning companies, but as Japan’s population falls, the firm is keying in on overseas growth.

Podcast

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

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Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji
By Alex K.T. Martin

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