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JAPAN / Politics / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE
Dec 21, 2014

Ishin-DPJ tieup, Kepco's greed to play key roles in April polls

In terms of domestic politics, the recent Lower House election was merely a prelude to next April's nationwide local elections.
EDITORIALS
Dec 21, 2014

Ending 50 years of failure in Cuba

The surprise U.S.-Cuba agreement to end a 50-year U.S. embargo that had failed to accomplish any of its stated objectives could bring about the long-sought liberalization of the island 150 km off the Florida coast.
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Dec 20, 2014

The good, and not-so-good, reads from 2014

I was lucky enough to read a number of good and informative books on Japan in 2014, but also read my share of clunkers.
JAPAN / View from Osaka
Dec 20, 2014

Rage against the capital's (bureaucratic) machine

As the Dec. 14 Lower House election demonstrated, media analysis of political campaigning typically focuses on personalities and parties. In recent years, official manifests serve as TV talking points as pundits — be they boorish young comedians or serious, sober-minded, gray-haired fellows — debate...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Dec 19, 2014

Australia gingerly mulls Japanese submarine offer

Australia is considering buying top-secret technology from Japan to build a fleet of next-generation submarines, a move that would risk reigniting diplomatic tensions with China that have only recently died down.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 18, 2014

Asia isn't ready for Chinese economic turmoil

As China's first full year of rebalancing draws to close, how has President Xi Jinping done?
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Dec 18, 2014

Thai junta-backed council recommends PM directly elected

A council appointed by Thailand's ruling military junta voted Wednesday to recommend stripping parliament of the power to appoint a prime minister and cabinet, triggering accusations that the move is aimed at curtailing democracy.
WORLD / Science & Health
Dec 18, 2014

Cuomo to ban fracking; health officials deem it unsafe

The New York state health department said fracking for natural gas can't be done safely, dooming prospects that Gov.Andrew Cuomo will end a six-year moratorium.
BUSINESS
Dec 17, 2014

Ruble collapse could shake Putin's grip on power

Russia failed to halt the collapse of the ruble on Tuesday, leaving President Vladimir Putin facing a full-blown currency crisis that could weaken his iron grip on power.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 16, 2014

Ukraine's frozen war brings big changes to global economy

The durability of September's truce between the Ukrainian Army and its pro-Russian rebel opponents suggests that relations between Kiev and Moscow are gradually reverting toward an uneasy form of peaceful coexistence.
WORLD
Dec 16, 2014

U.S. dictionary Merriam-Webster picks 'culture' as word of year

Whether popular, corporate or entitled, "culture" was named word of the year by U.S. dictionary Merriam-Webster on Monday as a flexible catch-all that can easily identify a subject, idea or issue.
JAPAN / Politics / DECISION 2014
Dec 15, 2014

Ozawa keeps hope for regime change alive

Diet heavyweight Ichiro Ozawa, leader of Seikatsu no To (People's Life Party), admitted Monday that the opposition camp failed to give voters an alternative to the ruling bloc in the Lower House election but stressed that change is still possible if they join hands.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 15, 2014

Time to take away the punch bowl in Japan

The BOJ's policies are allowing the government to sidestep its responsibility. That must stop if 'Abenomics' is to come off life support.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 15, 2014

NASA's Mars capsule will never land on Mars

Rather than admit the many shortcomings of the Orion space capsule, NASA has boldly promoted its development as the first step in America's journey to Mars. But it will not be going to Mars.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 14, 2014

Indonesia, Thailand: rising and falling stars

At the moment, no spot on our troubled planet offers a better illustration of the dynamic of citizen participation in politics than Southeast Asia, with triumphant Indonesia and tragic Thailand.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 14, 2014

Political and economic factors driving devolution

The push to return powers from Brussels to the British government, and to devolve powers from the British government to the regions, have become buzzwords in the U.K.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / JAPAN WEB WATCH
Dec 13, 2014

Furor over protest website highlights growing influence of youth

An online stunt by a student activist who poked fun at the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe over its decision to call for a snap election has highlighted the advantage young people have in using social media to push their own political agenda.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 13, 2014

Australia looking less prepared for future

As economists debate whether Shinzo Abe can end Japan's long funk, some wonder if another wealthy, seemingly world-beating economy isn't headed for its own lost decade: Australia.
Japan Times
WORLD
Dec 11, 2014

'We'll be back,' Hong Kong protesters chant as main camp site dismantled

Hong Kong police arrested prodemocracy activists and cleared most of the main protest site on Thursday, marking an end to more than two months of street demonstrations in the Chinese-controlled city, but many chanted: "We will be back."
JAPAN / Politics / DECISION 2014
Dec 11, 2014

On the campaign trail, ex-minister Obuchi says sorry for scandal

An apologetic Yuko Obuchi reels in her stumping for the Lower House election after being stung by a fundraising scandal that abruptly ended her stint as trade minister.
COMMENTARY
Dec 11, 2014

The devil lies in the details of Sino-Russian relations

Despite the much publicized energy transactions, a deep gulf remains between China and Russia. The moment of truth in their relations will come once the U.S. has pulled its troops out of Afghanistan and the rest of Central Asia.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 10, 2014

In rare move, Sony CEO Hirai personally cleared scenes in film on North Korea, emails show

The company's top executive approved a scene depicting the death of Kim Jong Un in a satirical film that may have prompted a cyberattack on Sony Pictures.
JAPAN / Politics / DECISION 2014
Dec 10, 2014

Ishin no To's campaign haunted by voter discontent in Kinki, Tokyo-Kanagawa

With several polls indicating that the ruling coalition may win over 300 of the 480 seats in Sunday's Lower House race, the Liberal Democratic Party is poised to be the big winner — and Ishin no To (Japan Innovation Party) the main loser.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / DECISION 2014
Dec 10, 2014

DPJ faces uphill battle for swing voters

While the ruling coalition commands a higher number of core supporters, opposition parties are vying for swing voters in an election that is expected to see a low turnout.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 10, 2014

Japan needs a real debate about the falling yen

Japan — and the world — deserve a real debate about where the yen is headed
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 8, 2014

Economics of 'memento mori'

The primary role of taxes — the redistribution of money for social security and welfare purposes — has been neglected, hidden by the more pressing need to reduce debt.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 8, 2014

India's Modi signals end to anti-Americanism

With his latest invite to U.S. President Barack Obama, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is signaling that the senseless anti-Americanism of the Indian polity is a thing of the past.

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