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Joe Brock
For Joe Brock's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
A man stands next to a model of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, which was used to launch several Indonesian satellites into orbit, at the office of Pasifik Satelit Nusantara, an Indonesia’s satellite-based telecommunication firm, in Jakarta on Jan. 15.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 20, 2024
How a Chinese rocket failure boosted SpaceX's fortunes in Indonesia
Elon Musk seized on the incident to prevail over a state-owned Chinese contractor as Jakarta's company of choice for putting satellites into space.
The Chinese Navy's nuclear-powered Long March 11 submarine takes part in a naval parade off the eastern port city of Qingdao, to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy, in April 2019.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / FOCUS
Sep 23, 2023
U.S. revives Cold War submarine spy program to counter China
The multibillion-dollar effort, known as the Integrated Undersea Surveillance System, comes as China ramps up activities near Taiwan.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Sep 28, 2022
Ship captains held by Indonesian navy decry bribes and betrayal
The Indonesian navy has cracked down on vessels it says are anchoring in its territory without paying port fees.
Japan Times
WORLD
Mar 4, 2022
Big Oil's plastic boom threatens U.N.'s 'historic' pollution pact
When the U.N. agreed on a deal to create the world's first ever global plastic pollution treaty, every party was quick to claim victory, but that could spell trouble.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 18, 2022
A U.N. pact may restrict plastic production. Big Oil aims to stop it.
U.N. members are set to meet this month to draft the blueprint for a global plastics treaty. That's a problem for Big Oil, with the plastic industry set to double output within 20 years.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 1, 2021
Trash and burn: Big brands' new plastic waste plan faces skepticism
Experts say that burning plastic in cement kilns, a practice firms are promoting, emits harmful emissions and amounts to swapping one dirty fuel for another.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Aug 2, 2021
The recycling myth: Big Oil’s plastic waste solution littered with failure
While residents have dutifully packaged up their trash, expecting it to be put to a green use, many have been left disappointed.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Science & Health
Jan 19, 2021
Big Oil’s flagship plastic waste project sinks on the Ganges
The failure is a sign that the industry is falling short of its targets to curb an increase in waste, two environmental groups say.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Oct 6, 2020
Plastic pandemic: COVID-19 trashed the recycling dream
The pandemic has intensified a price war between recycled and new plastic, made by the oil industry.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Crime & Legal
May 26, 2020
Death of 'Mr. Big' stirs memories of Singapore's gangland past
Early one October morning in 1969, Singapore police officers found the body of a man dumped in a storm drain. He had been stabbed to death, police said, in what became one of the country's most notorious gang killings.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
May 13, 2020
Post-pandemic stimulus may slow end of coal in Southeast Asia and Japan
As economies work to reopen, coal-fired plants likely to be favored over more expensive wind and solar power generation.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / FOCUS
Apr 28, 2019
How 'laid back' Sri Lanka became a soft target for Islamist strike
A week ago, Sri Lankan tourist guide Ricky Costa was preparing for a typically easy Sunday ferrying backpackers between Colombo's tea shops and beach bars in his canary-yellow rickshaw. Then the blasts began.
Japan Times
WORLD
Mar 5, 2017
Demands for return of land block German effort to atone for African genocide
Namibia's Herero people are heartened that Germany is keen to atone for the genocide of their ancestors, but they expect something that Berlin says it cannot give.

Longform

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