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COMMENTARY / World

Jan 14, 2006

The Russians are coming

By David Wall

LONDON -- Analysts and journalists have been trying hard to find something interesting to say about the first East Asia Summit (EAS) held in Kuala Lumpur in mid-December. The most frequent comment is that China was prevented from hijacking the summit, but they have mostly got it wrong.

EDITORIALS

Jan 13, 2006

Mr. Chen back on the offensive

Hopes that Taiwan's president, Mr. Chen Shui-bian, might alter course and reach out to China were shattered last week. Mr. Chen's New Year address made plain that he remains as combative as ever, despite having lost the upper hand in cross-strait relations with Beijing in 2005. The president's determination...

COMMENTARY

Jan 13, 2006

Chen shares independence dream anew

By Frank Ching

HONG KONG -- To the consternation of his political foes and the delight of his allies, Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian on New Year's Day delivered an address in which he made it clear that he was as determined as ever to press ahead for the de jure independence of Taiwan, a move that Beijing has promised...

COMMENTARY

Jan 13, 2006

Gas as a weapon of choice

By David Howell

LONDON -- What did the Russians hope to achieve? Their threat two weeks ago, now happily averted, to cut off natural gas supplies to Ukraine unless it immediately paid four times the current contract price was bound from the start to backfire.

EDITORIALS

Jan 12, 2006

Turbulent times for Mr. Bush

For U.S. President George W. Bush, 2005 turned out to be an unusually tough year. Having won re-election -- something his father had failed to achieve, Mr. Bush had started out on his second term as a historic second-generation president of the United States. But the initial euphoria proved short-lived....

COMMENTARY / WASHINGTON UPDATE

Jan 12, 2006

Democrats taking aim at House control

By Bob Keefe

WASHINGTON -- The American political landscape continues to be dominated by U.S. President George W. Bush. He had his ups and downs in 2005, and while he has gained about seven points in the various polls since he hit bottom in late November, his approval ratings remain in the low 40s, according to various...

COMMENTARY

Jan 12, 2006

Step up positive diplomacy

By Keizo Nabeshima

The year 2005 is likely to be remembered as the year when rivalry between Japan and China over how to create a new international order reached a high point.

EDITORIALS

Jan 11, 2006

Integrate decentralization efforts

This is likely to be a watershed year in the government's drive toward decentralization. The challenges are many, including "second-phase" reform of central and local government finances, debate on streamlining the prefectural system (designed to create larger administrative zones), and development of...

COMMENTARY

Jan 11, 2006

Can Asia bank on West?

By Tom Plate

LOS ANGELES -- I recently visited the cradle of the "Asian financial crisis," Thailand. This is the name given to the well-documented sequence of events between 1997-1999 that sent many of Asia's economies and currencies into terrifying tailspins. The crisis originated with the baht, Thailand's currency....

EDITORIALS

Jan 10, 2006

A vacuum in Israel

A massive stroke has felled Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Recovery is uncertain, and most observers believe his political career is over regardless. The loss will be felt not only by Israel but also by Palestinians and the world. For all his shortcomings, Mr. Sharon has been a leader with a vision,...

COMMENTARY

Jan 10, 2006

Legions of bloggers, not so many readers

By Ronald Meinardus

MANILA -- Hardly any other industry has developed as dynamically in recent years as the media sector. The impact of the so-called digital revolution is particularly evident in the way we communicate. Sending and receiving digitized data has become faster and faster; at the same time the costs have fallen...

EDITORIALS

Jan 9, 2006

Obstinacy vs. national interest

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's statement at his New Year news conference has added stress to Japan's already strained relations with China and South Korea. He defiantly criticized the two neighboring countries for refusing summit talks with Japan because of his repeated visits to Yasukuni Shrine....

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

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.

What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji

By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Smile! It’s ‘Sanrio Time,’ now and ever after

Smile! It’s ‘Sanrio Time,’ now and ever after

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