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Richard Cowan
For Richard Cowan's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy speak during a news conference in Washington on Tuesday. Zelenskyy came to the U.S. Congress to appeal for more aid to resist Russia's invasion, and Republican leaders told him to first wait for an elusive U.S. deal on immigration.
WORLD / Politics
Dec 13, 2023
Zelenskyy meets U.S. Republicans in push for aid to fight Russia
Some Republicans oppose more aid, saying any further money must be paired with changes to immigration policy at home.
Senate Republicans voted unanimously to block an emergency spending bill to provide $110.5 billion in funds for Ukraine, Israel and other security needs.
WORLD / Politics
Dec 8, 2023
Prospects dim for new Ukraine aid in U.S. Congress
Senate Republicans voted unanimously to block the emergency spending bill to provide $110.5 billion in funds for Ukraine, Israel and other security needs.
U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy speaks with reporters after opening the House floor at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Sept. 18.
WORLD / Politics
Sep 25, 2023
Republicans appeal to conservatives to avert U.S. shutdown
Congress so far has failed to finish any of the 12 regular spending bills to fund federal agency programs in the fiscal year starting on Oct. 1.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jun 1, 2023
U.S. debt ceiling bill passes House with broad bipartisan support
The Senate must now enact the measure and get it to U.S. President Joe Biden's desk before a Monday deadline, when the federal government is expected to run out of money to pay its bills.
Japan Times
WORLD
May 11, 2023
U.S. Congress and White House begin tough debt limit and budget negotiations
Time is tight to avoid a historic, economically destabilizing default on government debt, which the Treasury Department has warned could come as soon as June 1.
Japan Times
WORLD
Apr 27, 2023
U.S. House Republicans pass debt-ceiling hike, hoping to spur Biden to talks
The bill isn't expected to pass the Senate, but the mostly partisan 217-215 vote is a win for Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on an issue that rattled investors and markets.
Japan Times
WORLD
Feb 16, 2023
U.S. could face debt-ceiling crisis this summer without deal
If the debt limit is not raised or suspended before extraordinary measures are exhausted, the government will be unable to pay its obligations fully.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jan 28, 2023
Why Biden pushes an assault weapons ban despite the political odds
Flags are lowered, sorrowful statements are issued, pleas to lawmakers are made, again.
Japan Times
WORLD / ANALYSIS
Oct 28, 2022
How Congress might look for Biden post midterms: The good, bad, and the ugly
The worst-case scenario for Biden and his party would likely see his agenda completely frozen for the next two years.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jul 22, 2022
Trump watched U.S. Capitol riot unfold on TV, ignoring pleas to call for peace
Trump's daughter Ivanka and son Don Jr. are said to have been among those who pleaded with the former president to act.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jul 13, 2022
Trump incited Capitol attack after 'unhinged' White House meeting, panel told
The committee also produced evidence that aides and outside agitators knew before the riot that Trump would urge thousands of his supporters to march on the Capitol.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jun 24, 2022
Trump allies sought pardons after supporting his attempts to overturn election
Their names emerged at the end of a fifth day of hearings that focused on how Trump pressured top Justice Department officials daily in his final weeks in office.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jun 10, 2022
Hearing on U.S. Capitol riot shows key Trump allies rejected his vote fraud claims
In video testimony, Ivanka Trump said she accepted the view of former Attorney General William Barr, who called the election fraud claims 'bullshit.'
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 7, 2022
A year after U.S. Capitol siege, Biden blasts Trump's 'web of lies'
U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday accused his predecessor of spreading a “web of lies” to undermine U.S. democracy in a speech on the anniversary of the deadly Capitol attack by Trump supporters.
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 / Crime & Legal
Jun 30, 2018
Trump narrows U.S. Supreme Court list; to name nominee on July 9
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday he plans to announce his nominee to replace retiring U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy on July 9, and that he has narrowed his list of candidates.
WORLD / Politics
Apr 19, 2015
Clinton faces early test on free trade deals
Just a week after formally launching her presidential campaign, Hillary Rodham Clinton is already being tested on a thorny issue for Democrats: free trade deals and their impact on workers.

Longform

Historically, kabuki was considered the entertainment of the merchant and peasant classes, a far cry from how it is regarded today.
For Japan's oldest kabuki theater, the show must go on