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Xiaochen Su
For Xiaochen Su's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 12, 2021
Japan’s handling of COVID-19 lacks transparency
Japan's relatively rosy figures on COVID-19 are a reflection of several issues that illustrate the lack of transparency in government and public health authorities.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 20, 2019
Behind the rise of Japan's recluses
A lack of economic ambition is increasing the trend of 'hikikomori.'
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 1, 2019
How Japan can help Africa escape China's 'debt trap'
Japan should export its profitable public transport business model to help African countries repay Chinese infrastructure loans.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 20, 2019
How media discourages Japan's youth from traveling abroad
The nation's best-selling travel guide tends to heavily stress crime and danger in other countries.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 8, 2019
The toxic influence of Japan's rural political interest groups
It's time to reduce the political power of Japan's dwindling rural, primary-sector interests.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 11, 2018
'Omotenashi' underlies Japan's low economic productivity
On a narrow side street in a residential neighborhood in the suburbs of Tokyo, a new apartment building is being built from scratch. Six construction workers are putting up the four-story building using prefabricated parts, while another six workers are manning the different roads leading into the construction site. Holding light wands, the six non-construction workers direct the trucks transporting materials to the site and apologize to each pedestrian who happen to walk by the construction.

Longform

High-end tourism is becoming more about the kinds of experiences that Japan's lesser-known places can provide.
Can Japan lure the jet-set class off the beaten path?