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COMMENTARY

Nov 1, 2004

We're all in this mess together

By David Howell

LONDON -- Comparisons are often made between Japan's relations with the United States and Europe's trans-Atlantic relationship. In practice, though, the two links are quite different and seem to be getting more so.

COMMENTARY

Nov 1, 2004

Can Taiwan, China stop baiting the other?

By Frank Ching

HONG KONG -- U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, during his two-day visit to Beijing, tried to persuade Chinese leaders that Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian's offer of talks provided an opportunity for a cross-strait dialogue, but, as expected, Powell was rebuffed.

COMMENTARY

Nov 1, 2004

Withdrawal is the only honorable way out

By Doug Bandow

WASHINGTON -- Iraq has become the central issue in America's presidential campaign, but neither candidate has a solution for a conflict that has cost more than 1,100 American lives. Unfortunately, the killing will continue until the United States and its allies withdraw their forces, leaving Iraq to...

COMMENTARY

Nov 1, 2004

Universities lack will to reform

By Takamitsu Sawa

Half a year has passed since Japan's national universities gained corporate status. The aim of the incorporation, initially at least, was to make university management efficient. What has changed, or has not changed, in substance? How much progress toward efficiency has been made, or is likely to be...

COMMENTARY / World

Nov 1, 2004

Linking Islam to terror spawns hatred

By Gautaman Bhaskaran

MADRAS, India -- Sadly, since Sept. 11, 2001, much of the world, in particular the United States, has equated Islam with violence and death.

COMMENTARY

Oct 31, 2004

In defense of a liberal agenda

By Ronald Meinardus

MANILA -- Today, hardly another political term is as misapprehended and misrepresented as is "liberal." A case in point is the United States in the runup to the presidential elections. For partisan reasons, the Republicans and the so-called neoconservatives have gone on a rampage to discredit liberalism....

COMMENTARY

Oct 30, 2004

Straw poll on Net lands knockout punch

By Harvey Stockwin

HONG KONG -- In Japan, the Democratic challenger for U.S. president, Sen. John F. Kerry, has so far garnered 88 percent of the Japanese popular vote compared to 11 percent for the incumbent George W. Bush.

COMMENTARY / World

Oct 28, 2004

Bleak outlook for Myanmar democracy

By Nyunt Shwe

After days of speculation over the fate of Myanmar Prime Minister Gen. Khin Nyunt, the country's official media announced that he was permitted to retire for health reasons. The reasons given were usual for someone who had been removed from the inner circle.

COMMENTARY / World

Oct 28, 2004

Bush foes keep fingers crossed

By John Barry Kotch

CAMBRIDGE, England -- While the world looks on, tens of millions Americans will go to the polls next Tuesday, along with millions of American expatriates, for what is being billed as the election of the century, or at least the most important election in our lifetime. And while non-Americans cannot directly...

COMMENTARY / World

Oct 27, 2004

U.S. has no reason to fear that ICC will abuse rights

By Alberto Zuppi and Cesar Chelala

NEW YORK -- After the Treaty of Rome was signed in 1998, laying out the foundations for the International Criminal Court, many believed that this organ of justice would never materialize. There were already indications that the United States would not support such a court in all its aspects. Rejection...

COMMENTARY

Oct 26, 2004

British pension crisis looms

By Hugh Cortazzi

LONDON -- An important report on the pension crisis facing Britain was published Oct. 12. The report by the Pensions Commission, chaired by Adair Turner, a former director of the Confederation of British Industry, warned that, because of increased longevity and a shortfall in pension funds, British pensioners...

COMMENTARY

Oct 25, 2004

China reconstructs past to chart future

By Brahma Chellaney

NEW DELHI -- How folklore guides Chinese foreign-policy interests was brought out by Beijing's recent spat with South Korea over the ancient kingdom of Koguryo, which was founded in the Tongge River basin of northern Korea and, at its height, included much of Manchuria.

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Japan's growing ranks of centenarians are redefining what it means to live in a super-aging society.

What comes after 100?

By Tomoko Otake

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Tsukuba massif granite, one of the world’s few heritage stones

Tsukuba massif granite, one of the world’s few heritage stones

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