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Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jun 28, 2019

U.S. Supreme Court says it can't stop politicians redrawing electoral maps to their advantage

In a major blow to election reformers, the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday rejected efforts to rein in electoral map manipulation by politicians aimed at entrenching one party in power, a practice known as partisan gerrymandering that critics have said warps democracy.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 26, 2019

Foreign-born candidates discuss challenges and prejudice on the Tokyo campaign trail

In a nation where there are few foreign-born politicians in local assemblies or in the Diet, the sight of a candidate openly touting his or her foreign background through loudspeakers on the campaign trail can come as a surprise.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 22, 2019

Understanding Japan's southwest islands buildup

Japan is upgrading its military presence in the East China Sea in response to China's active challenging of Japanese sovereignty.
EDITORIALS
Apr 21, 2019

Jokowi wins a second term

Indonesian President Joko Widodo should use his second term to double down on his reform efforts as well as resist more strongly the creep of hard-line Islam into what has been a model of tolerance for the Muslim world.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 8, 2019

Reinvigorating Japan's twin-track diplomacy in Cambodia

A visit to Japan by 10 young politics-oriented Cambodians indicates that Tokyo is working outside the international media limelight to engage with both the opposition and the ruling party through its traditional twin-track diplomacy.
EDITORIALS
Mar 22, 2019

Low turnout, poor competition mar local elections

Add local politics to the host of challenges confronting many of Japan's regions.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Feb 19, 2019

Birth of a new party and death of a lawmaker could shift Labour's approach to Brexit

Two events in 24 hours could shape the Brexit policy of the U.K.'s main opposition Labour Party and change the course of Britain's departure from the European Union.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jan 31, 2019

Tired of army rule, Thai youth are a rising force ahead of March election

Standing atop the stairs outside his university auditorium, 20-year-old activist Parit Chiwarak led a protest of hundreds of people calling for an end to Thailand's ruling military junta.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan / japan since the Meiji Restoration
Nov 19, 2018

Reconjuring the vision of the Meiji Centennial

Japan has thus far succeeded in preserving its national character while fulfilling its growing responsibility toward the international community.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Nov 7, 2018

Democrats capture U.S. House as Republicans hold Senate in fiercely fought midterm elections

Democrats laid claim to the U.S. House by riding a surge of voter anger and discontent with President Donald Trump in suburban enclaves, even as the leader's loyal supporters reaffirmed Republican control of the Senate.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Oct 29, 2018

Trump allies reject link of his rhetoric to increased violence

Allies of President Donald Trump rejected any link between harsh political rhetoric and a rise in violence in the U.S., even as President Barack Obama's homeland security chief said changing the "toxic" political environment must start at the top.
COMMENTARY / Japan / japan since the Meiji Restoration
Oct 22, 2018

Lessons from diplomatic and constitutional history

The 150th anniversary of the Meiji Restoration presents an opportunity to make a sweeping assessment of Japan's political and diplomatic trajectory over the ensuing years.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Aug 20, 2018

2019 Canada election will be fight against polarization, Trudeau warns

Justin Trudeau said the 2019 Canadian election will be a contrast between his Liberal Party's push for a cleaner environment and fighting inequality, and Conservatives who'll attempt to exploit divisions created by a global wave of populism.
Japan Times
WORLD
Aug 12, 2018

Nobel Prize-winning author V.S. Naipaul, 'a literary circumnavigator,' dies at 85

V.S. Naipaul, the Trinidad-born Nobel laureate whose precise and lyrical writing in such novels as "A Bend in the River" and "A House for Mr. Biswas" and brittle, misanthropic personality made him one of the world's most admired and contentious writers, died Saturday at his London home, his family said....
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 28, 2018

Outlook for Democrats in 2020 looks bleak

First: No. It's not too early to discuss the 2020 election. The Iowa caucuses are only a year and a half away. Any presidential hopeful who hasn't begun chatting up donors by now will find it nearly impossible to mount a viable campaign.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 29, 2018

Abe sends the right message by attending Olympic ceremony

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's decision to attend the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics opening ceremony will help Tokyo and Seoul move the cycle of action and reaction that has impeded Japan-South Korea relations for far too long.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 17, 2018

While Germany slept

The country's current political insecurity may well be just it needs to give rise to new ideas and voices, and a better future.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA
Dec 6, 2017

Looking back at 2017's Trump-triggered resurgence in American activism in Japan

The Women of the World March in January that brought hundreds onto the streets of Tokyo was the highlight of a year of action.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 18, 2017

The illusion of freedom in the digital age

Both governments and big tech companies are getting really good at controlling people through data.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 15, 2017

It takes more than words to raise gender equality

Japan's gender gaps in income and leadership remain stubbornly entrenched.
JAPAN / Politics / Decision 2017
Oct 22, 2017

Among Japan's voters, hope for new blood vies with desire for stability

The Lower House election Sunday saw voters back newcomers vowing to heed the voices of ordinary people and older voters opting for familiarity and stability in policies on the economy and security, The Japan Times found.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 27, 2017

Yuriko Koike's new party, Kibo no To, vows to alter Japan's political landscape

Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike launches a new political party, promising to “reset” Japan and restore its international prestige, while also posing a powerful threat to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Japan Times
CULTURE
Sep 14, 2017

Written or rapped, Seiko Ito has a way with words

It's hard to describe Seiko Ito with one handy label. When I ask my friends to do it, they struggle.
JAPAN / View from Osaka
Jul 15, 2017

Doubt cast over Tomin First's national appeal

"Politics will eventually be replaced by imagery. The politician will be only too happy to abdicate in favor of his image, because the image will be much more powerful than he could ever be."
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Oct 5, 2016

Japan's English-language print media feel the pinch

Publications struggle for relevance in a world where news is available free, to all, all the time.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE
Oct 2, 2016

Comparing elections in the U.S. and Japan: the good, the bad and the ugly

I love elections. Anywhere. It's fascinating to see how politicians craft public appeals. No matter how flawed the process, it's how nation-states recharge their legitimacy and publicly reaffirm their leaders' mandate to govern.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 26, 2016

Polyglot U.S.-born comic sheds cloak, dagger for shtick

For Reina Saiki, 28, the world is her oyster.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 11, 2016

One path to leadership in China is now closed

Instead of sharing power across factions as his two predecessors did, Xi Jinping is consolidating power for himself.

Longform

Bear attacks have dominated Japanese news headlines in recent months, with 13 people so far having been killed by the animals.
Japan’s bears have been on their killing spree for more than 100 years