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Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 10, 2016

Voters grapple with economic, security, credibility concerns to make their choice

Voters cited concerns about the economy, security and the Constitution as they participated in the Upper House election on Sunday, with many saying they chose the conservative Liberal Democratic Party and the continuity it represents.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 10, 2016

Thanks to U.S., U.K., Iraq mired in endless war

Looking back now at the Iraq War, what shines through is the sheer arrogance and ignorance of those who brought this calamity down on the Iraqis, who must now live out their lives in misery and terror.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Society
Jul 10, 2016

Latest U.S. country rankings on human trafficking raise eyebrows in some Asian nations

When the U.S. government last week raised the Philippines to its highest ranking in a report that assesses how much countries are battling human trafficking, putting it alongside the likes of Britain, Switzerland and Australia, the decision was questioned by aid workers in the Asian nation.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Jul 9, 2016

How long can Japan's old mens' club last?

Media coverage of the House of Councilors election campaign has been even more lacking in substance than usual. On July 2, Tokyo Shimbun noted how "low-key" the coverage has been on TV.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Jul 9, 2016

How rights and liberties may be downsized under the LDP

During a recent TV program, the vice president of the Liberal Democratic Party, Masahiko Komura, insisted "there is zero possibility" that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe would revise war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution even if the ruling coalition wins a two-thirds majority in the upcoming Upper...
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 8, 2016

The rise of Islamic extremism in Bangladesh

The Dhaka attack has shown that even Bangladeshis who are highly educated are now being drawn toward Wahhabi ideology.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 8, 2016

Career park's mock election lets kids get into voting spirit

What about us kids?
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / DECISION 2016
Jul 8, 2016

Young voters hope to reform Japan's 'silver democracy'

A revised law has expanded the electorate by 2.4 million voters aged 18 and 19 and is designed to give more political say to younger generations.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Jul 7, 2016

Japan election manifestos free LGBT rights from political closet

When openly gay independent candidate Wataru Ishizaka campaigned in a 2007 Tokyo local election, people snickered at his speeches. But now even Japan's conservative ruling party mentions gay rights in its platform for this year's Upper House election.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jul 7, 2016

Bush, Howard stand by decision to invade Iraq after U.K. report lacerates Blair

British Prime Minister Tony Blair told U.S. President George W. Bush eight months before the 2003 invasion of Iraq "I will be with you, whatever," and relied on flawed intelligence and legal advice to go to war, a seven-year inquiry concluded on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics / DECISION 2016
Jul 6, 2016

Osaka Ishin struggling ahead of Sunday's Upper House poll

Just before the Upper House election campaign kicked off on June 22, Osaka Ishin no Kai leaders were plotting their schedules for the days leading up to Sunday's poll.
EDITORIALS
Jul 5, 2016

Erdogan reverses course

Turkish President Recip Tayyip Erdogan's foreign policy switch positions him and his country to play a larger role in the region.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 4, 2016

Kin view victim's bodies in Dhaka as attack highlights growing Islamic State threat

Bangladesh stepped up its probe into the Dhaka hostage siege Monday as relatives of the seven Japanese victims witnessed their suffering firsthand when they viewed and identified the tortured and disfigured bodies.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 4, 2016

Why China won't halt island-building activities

China's obsession with building up fortifications in the South China Sea is driven by its fear of losing control over its vital trade routes.
EDITORIALS
Jul 3, 2016

India's commitment to reform

India may come to miss Raghuram Rajan's commitment to deregulation after he steps down as governor of the nation's central bank.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jul 3, 2016

Xenophon emerging as kingmaker in tight Australian election

As Australians cast their ballots in a tight election Saturday afternoon, Sen. Nick Xenophon worked up a sweat while preparing kebabs at a Greek restaurant in his hometown.
EDITORIALS
Jul 2, 2016

Keep a close eye on AI's evolution

Artificial intelligence carries huge potential, both positive and negative. Humanity needs to be wise on how to proceed.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 1, 2016

Britain will not turn its back on Europe: ambassador

Britain will not walk away from Europe even as it prepares to leave the European Union, Britain's envoy to Japan said Friday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / THE JAPAN TIMES FORUM ON TICAD VI
Jun 30, 2016

Africa outlook seeing shift from assistance to investment

The sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI) will be held in Nairobi on Aug. 27 and 28, where political and business leaders from around the world will discuss various issues facing the continent.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jun 29, 2016

Much at stake in this election

If voters do not wish to give the Abe administration a carte blanche to revise the Constitution, they must express their intention in this election.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 29, 2016

Britain, not the European Union, will survive

After Brexit, Europe could finally emerge as a strong international actor, but sadly the political will to achieve such an outcome is unlikely to emerge.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 28, 2016

Quo vadis, Little England?

The economic wreckage of globalization has generated a massive backlash and claimed its first casualty.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 28, 2016

A welcome revival of nationhood in Britain

A wave of skepticism may lead other countries to leave the European Union.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jun 28, 2016

Post-Brexit, Japan redefines idea of safe havens

Risk-averse investors who flocked to the yen in the aftermath of Brexit may want to consider a safer haven.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 28, 2016

The EU, not Britain, has a democracy deficit

There is no European public to which the EU can be held accountable.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 28, 2016

China's dog meat festival suggests larger problem

China's dog meat trade offers a vivid example of why the country's food supply problems are so persistent.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jun 27, 2016

Dis-United Kingdom ponders turmoil of EU divorce but legal expert says reversal possible

To leave, or not to leave: That is the question. Still.
ASIA PACIFIC
Jun 27, 2016

Mongolians head to polls with slowing economy a worry

Mongolia will elect a new parliament this week hoping it can reverse four straight years of slowing growth, against a backdrop of concerns about an erosion of democratic values in a country sandwiched between autocratic China and Russia.

Longform

An illustration features the Japanese signs for "ganbare" (good luck) and the Deaflympics, which will be held between Nov. 15 and 26.
A century of Deaf sport finds its moment in Tokyo