Search - 2020

 
 
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 2, 2022

There is a big economic and political cost to closed minds

One of the main reasons for the uneven COVID-19 recovery has more to do with politics than economics as support for aggressive nationalistic trade barriers has grown sharply in recent years.
Japan Times
WORLD / FOCUS
Feb 2, 2022

Coups cheered in West Africa as Islamist insurgencies sap faith in democracy

The failure of elected government to contain growing militant violence over the last decade has led to widespread disenchantment with democracy in the region.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Jan 31, 2022

An army of faceless suits is taking over the $4 trillion hedge fund world

Clients are increasingly willing to pay high fees — outsized even by hedge fund standards — to gain access to a whole new universe of investments.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 31, 2022

Ahead of key polls, India's ruling party revives Hindu-Muslim dispute

Hindus and Muslims have argued for decades for control over a religious site Mathura, echoing other quarrels between the two groups in India that have flared into deadly riots.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 30, 2022

How much has the pandemic cost the world?

In responding to the pandemic, policymakers have faced an awful dilemma: keep the economy open and risk more COVID-19 deaths, or impose lockdowns and destroy livelihoods.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Jan 28, 2022

Omicron has fueled a rapid COVID surge in Japan. Still, the endgame may be in sight.

Some experts are optimistic that more treatment options, a high vaccination rate and a so-far lower mortality rate could herald a transition from pandemic to endemic.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 28, 2022

Stephen Breyer’s exit strategy nods to U.S. Supreme Court politics he decried

Breyer's White House announcement Thursday was timed perfectly to give President Joe Biden a needed chance to change the national conversation and reinforce the court's beleaguered liberal wing.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 27, 2022

Malaysia's Sabah aims to be world's first 'green' palm oil state

Palm oil is the world's most widely used edible oil, found in everything from margarine to soap, but it has faced heavy scrutiny from green activists.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Jan 27, 2022

China and U.S. vying for influence over Pacific Island countries

At the same time as fighting against Washington for power in the region, Beijing has undertaken a campaign of winning over Taipei's allies.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design
Jan 27, 2022

The designer bringing a new kind of cool to Kenzo

Nigo, the Japanese street wear king, is joining the luxury world and taking on “the greatest challenge” of his career.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 25, 2022

Pro-Trump death threats prompt bills in three states to protect election workers

Advocates for the Vermont legislation say the intent is to bring state laws in line with federal standards, which make it easier to prosecute threats of violence.
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Jan 25, 2022

Amid the 'buy now, pay later' boom, Japan takes a different path

The country's unique approach to credit card payments undercuts the appeal of BNPL seen elsewhere, with the service finding a different niche as a result.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 24, 2022

Hong Kong’s financial sector faces talent crunch as expats head for the exit

Hong Kong's draconian 'COVID zero' policies, in line with China's, is prompting many expats to think about leaving in favor of places with less restrictions.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Jan 24, 2022

Rich countries lure health workers from low-income nations to fight shortages

The urgency and strong pull from high-income nations has raised new questions about the ethics of recruitment from countries with weak health systems during a pandemic.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 24, 2022

Putin could burst Xi’s Olympic dream with a war in Ukraine

Russia has little incentive to antagonize China, its largest trading partner with total trade valuing $112 billion in 2020.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jan 24, 2022

Australian PM loses control of WeChat Chinese account as election looms

With a national election due by May, the government would have aimed to use the Morrison account to promote its policies during the Chinese New Year celebrations starting Feb. 1.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 24, 2022

U.K.’s Boris Johnson faces week that defines his political future

Member of Parliament Nusrat Ghani's claim on Sunday that she was fired as a minister in 2020 partly because of her 'Muslimness' have further dented trust in the prime minister.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Jan 24, 2022

China’s ‘little giants’ are its latest weapon in tech war with U.S.

An ambitious government program aims to foster a new generation of startups that can compete with Silicon Valley by targeting sectors such as robotics, quantum computing and semiconductors.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 21, 2022

How, and why, Boris Johnson could lose his job as U.K. prime minister

Two years ago, Prime Minister Boris Johnson led the Conservative Party to its biggest election victory in decades. Now, his future is anything but secure.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 21, 2022

Renault rips up Nissan alliance script in bid for China traction

'Renault's whole strategy in China was wrong,” the firm's CEO said. 'It's not Nissan's fault. They may be leader in China, but they aren't there to be charitable.”
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 21, 2022

Global inflation threatens to end era of ever-cheaper clean energy

Relentless price declines over the past decade made renewables the cheapest sources of electricity in much of the world. In the past year, the price of solar panels are up 50%.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jan 21, 2022

A J-pop origin story set in SixTones

The six-member Johnny's act marks two years of many firsts such as appearing on the YouTube channel The First Take and working with established artists such as Yoshiki and Daiki Tsuneta.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 20, 2022

In Tonga, a volcano-triggered tsunami underscores islands' acute climate risk

By increasing temperatures and driving up sea levels, climate change will likely worsen disasters wrought by tsunamis, storm surges, and heat waves, experts say.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jan 19, 2022

U.S. sumo fans get opportunity to see Japan's rising stars

Often considered de-facto world championship due to their high level of competition, the World Games give young talents a chance to shine ahead of their pro careers.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 19, 2022

U.K.'s Johnson, facing plot to oust him, says he will not resign

The prime minister is struggling to quell an internal revolt by his own lawmakers who are angry over a series of lockdown parties in Downing Street.

Longform

Ichiro Suzuki, one of the most iconic players in NPB and MLB history, was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame with 99.7% of the vote.
With Hall of Fame induction, Ichiro makes himself heard loud and clear