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Praveen Menon
For Praveen Menon's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Supporters of the "Yes" vote listen to the results of the referendum on whether to officially recognize Australia's Indigenous peoples, at an event in Sydney on Saturday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Oct 15, 2023
Australian Indigenous call for 'week of silence' after vote defeat
More than 60% of Australians voted "No" in the landmark referendum on Saturday in what many see as a setback for reconciliation efforts.
Teacher Tarna Andrews at the local school grounds, ahead of a nationwide referendum on Indigenous issues, in Areyonga, Australia
ASIA PACIFIC / Society
Oct 5, 2023
In Australia's outback, Indigenous proposal struggles to inspire
In just over a week, Australians will vote on a referendum on Indigenous issues. However, the very people it is designed to help know little about it.
A protester outside a meeting between then-Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Indigenous leaders in 2015. Discussions around a referendum on whether to recognize Indigenous people in the Australian constitution have been held for years, and the vote will be held soon.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Aug 9, 2023
Tough road ahead for Australia’s landmark Indigenous referendum
The campaign to recognize Indigenous people in Australia's constitution in an upcoming referendum may be losing steam, polls say.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 23, 2022
Australia's housing crisis, largely hidden, is getting worse
Relentlessly rising rents, eight consecutive interest rate hikes and surging living costs have inflamed what was already among the world's least affordable rental markets.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Nov 20, 2022
Australia's climate policies don't match its big talk at COP27
Australia is talking up its green credentials, but its policies do not match the portrayal as it continues to fuel the crisis through its enormous fossil fuel exports.
Japan Times
WORLD / ANALYSIS
Sep 29, 2022
Slots to smartphones: Pandemic sends Australia's gambling problem online
Already the world's biggest gambling nation in terms of loss per person, Australia has seen a shift in betting behavior since the pandemic-forced closure of public venues.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 12, 2022
Australia's #MeToo movement puts miners and ministers in crosshairs of history
Over the past 18 months, thousands of women have exposed a culture of bullying and abuse in mining, provoking public outrage and pledges of decisive action from politicians and executives.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 11, 2022
Uniqlo does a U-turn and joins global shunning of Russia
The two companies had been notable standouts among major brands, saying they would continue doing business in Russia amid the imposition of massive trade and banking sanctions.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 21, 2022
World rushes aid to tsunami-hit Tonga as drinking water and food run short
The first flights from Australia and New Zealand landed in Tonga on Thursday with much-needed supplies of water for sanitation and hygiene as well as shelter, communication equipment and power generators.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 20, 2022
First aid finally reaches Tonga as telephone lines partially restored
The delivery of the supplies brought in by aircraft was contactless to ensure Tonga remains free of the coronavirus.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Dec 12, 2019
Disasters and downturn challenge New Zealand's Jacinda Ardern going into election year
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern faces tough challenges as she heads into a general election campaign next year, with economic growth slowing, divisive referendums looming and a country reeling from disasters both natural and man-made.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Society
Aug 16, 2019
Young Maori women on frontline of New Zealand's fight for indigenous rights
Five years ago, law graduate Pania Newton and her cousins got together around a kitchen table and agreed to do everything in their power to prevent a housing development on a south Auckland site that is considered sacred by local Maori.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
May 10, 2018
Former strongman Mahathir Mohamad is Malaysia’s comeback kid
Malaysia's Mahathir Mohamad has never lost an election campaign. He maintained that record and created another one on Thursday when, at 92, he was set to be sworn in as the world's oldest elected leader.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
May 7, 2018
Clash of political titans Mahathir Mohamad and Najib Razak brings a gripping election to Malaysia
Malaysia's general election on Wednesday will be an extraordinary contest, pitting a 92-year-old former authoritarian leader and a jailed reformist he fell out with 20 years ago against a prime minister who has been mired in a multibillion-dollar scandal.

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