Search - commentary

 
 
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World / Geoeconomic Briefing
Apr 25, 2022

China’s 'wolf warrior' diplomacy at a crossroads amid Ukraine crisis

Confrontation between democratic states — including the U.S., Europe and Japan — and authoritarian states centered around China and Russia has become clearer in recent times.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 17, 2022

The elusive politics of Elon Musk

Musk, 50, who was born in South Africa and only became an American citizen in 2002, expresses views that don't fit neatly into America's binary, left-right political framework.
Japan Times
WORLD
Apr 14, 2022

Russian troops risk repeating blunders if they try for May 9 win

Ukraine's allies see a two-week window before Russia unleashes an offensive designed to declare some sort of victory by the May 9 anniversary of Nazi Germany's defeat in World War II.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Mar 31, 2022

Philanthropist celebrates life with art, music

Japanese philanthropist Haruhisa Handa, who is a professional in many fields, including calligraphy, art, music, noh dramas and literature, as well as business, held a solo exhibition of his artworks, including paintings, pottery and Japanese calligraphy, in Tokyo from March 18 to 21.
SOCCER
Mar 24, 2022

Sydney stunner: Late Kaoru Mitoma brace sends Japan to World Cup

Despite outshooting the Socceroos on a waterlogged Stadium Australia pitch, Hajime Moriyasu's men failed to make the most of their chances until substitute Mitoma's star turn.
Japan Times
WORLD
Mar 24, 2022

U.S. makes contingency plans in case Russia uses its most powerful weapons

The immediate concern is what Putin may do next — driven by a desire to rescue a failing military effort or reestablish his credentials as a force to be feared.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 18, 2022

Why China won’t bail Russia out over its invasion of Ukraine

By all indications, even China seems to be reassessing its economic relations with Russia, with Chinese companies and banks refusing to work with Russian companies.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 16, 2022

Ukraine war gives Taiwan pointers for its own defense

The invasion of Ukraine has sparked a conversation about how well Taiwan's armed forces and civilian population are prepared to fend off a Chinese invasion.
Japan Times
WORLD
Mar 16, 2022

China’s goal with Putin is to resist U.S. without economic pain

Beijing's actions appear calibrated to avoid global conflicts or being dragged further down economically as it seeks a way past the pandemic.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Mar 14, 2022

Russia asked China for military and economic aid for Ukraine war, U.S. officials say

Moscow was eyeing help from Beijing to help counteract the battering its economy has taken from broad sanctions imposed by the U.S., European and Asian nations.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Mar 13, 2022

Isabella Bird: Revisiting her intrepid journeys trekking the wilds of Japan

Geographer Kiyonori Kanasaka's extensive knowledge and commentary enrich the works of the 19th-century explorer.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Mar 9, 2022

Former amateur yokozuna Hidetora Hanada shifts gears toward NFL dream

The Nippon Sport Science University student impressed in a recent X League combine and will attempt to leave his mark on the gridiron before taking on the world of professional sumo.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 4, 2022

China’s Ukraine doublespeak is becoming unsustainable

Beijing is fence-sitting on the Ukraine crisis as it tries to balance its Russia alignment with its principles of territorial integrity.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Mar 4, 2022

The Eurobeat boom, boom, boom, boom means the '90s are back

Dust off your best para para dance moves, the sound of hi-NRG Heisei has returned.
Japan Times
WORLD
Mar 3, 2022

Historic EU move to provide arms to Ukraine seen as 'paradigm shift' for the bloc

The weapons funding plan marks the first time the European Union, founded to uphold peace after World War II, has collectively provided arms to a third country.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 2, 2022

The solution to the Ukraine crisis lies in Asia

Sanctions and embargoes from the West against Russia over the Ukraine invasion will count for nothing if they are offset by business as usual in Asia.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Mar 2, 2022

U.S. stands firm behind commitment to Taiwan, delegation says

Taiwan's government is juggling competing high-profile visits from the U.S. in a busy week of diplomacy as former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrives.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Feb 27, 2022

'Vou: Visual Poetry Tokio 1958-1978' is a work of art, 20 years in the making

Editor Taylor Mignon's collection of Japanese visual poetry highlights artists who are of key importance to understanding 20th-century Japanese poetry.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Feb 18, 2022

The rules for deciphering the Japanese words for regulations

While the Olympics are proving fun to watch, it seems not many fans have checked the rulebook.
Japan Times
WORLD
Feb 15, 2022

'Vladdy daddy please no war...': Russia-Ukraine tensions loom large on social media

Gen Z is turning to TikTok and Instagram to hash over the tensions between Russia and Ukraine, while TikTok has become a source for researchers tracking Moscow's buildup.
Japan Times
WORLD
Feb 14, 2022

Standoff with Russia over Ukraine enters most tense week yet

A frenzy of diplomatic activity — including key leaders cycling through Moscow for talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin — has failed to produce an off-ramp.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 11, 2022

Hong Kong risks everything with ‘impossible’ COVID zero goal

While many countries are winding down pandemic restrictions, Hong Kong is imposing its toughest measures since the virus emerged over two years ago.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 6, 2022

Is it time for plant liberation?

Plants don't have central nervous systems, nor the neurons that form the consciousness of animals, but they have dopamine and serotonin, that function like neurotransmitters.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 26, 2022

Why the EU can’t get its act together on Ukraine

Geopolitically, Europe is much less than the sum of its 27 parts as its inaction amid the Ukraine crisis demonstrates.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 13, 2022

‘Noise’: A web of lies imbued with style and pathos

Ryuichi Hiroki's film about three men entangled in a web of lies and murder to protect their island community is a departure from the director's usual romantic dramas and indie fare.
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming
Jan 10, 2022

Bob Saget, comic who portrayed Danny Tanner on ‘Full House,’ dies at 65

Saget, born in Philadelphia, graduated from Temple University in 1978 before finding his way into comedy clubs.
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming
Jan 8, 2022

‘Aggretsuko’ digs into toxic work culture and self-worth

The newly released fourth season of 'Aggretsuko' digs into some truly bleak storylines about the realities of work, but still finds a way to humanize even its most unlikeable characters.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World / The Year Ahead: Reckonings
Jan 7, 2022

China bets on a common prosperity

China's leaders believe their country is on the verge of a transformation into a truly “modern socialist economy.” They're not alone.

Longform

Rock group The Yellow Monkey played K-Arena Yokohama in June as part of a nationwide tour. Concerts are increasingly popular in the age of social media as users value in-person experiences.
Inside Japan’s arena boom: Sports, sound and city-building