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JAPAN
Aug 13, 1997

Parties and politicians jockey for power

Staff writer
PODCAST / deep dive
Jun 21, 2023

Things just got a bit tougher for asylum-seekers in Japan

Japan passes a controversial new law that changes the rules for which people can apply for asylum in an effort to solve issues like overcrowding at detention centers.
Japan Times
WORLD / ANALYSIS
Jun 6, 2023

Can Biden's compromise strategy fix a divided U.S.?

It remains to be seen whether this deal can help the longer-term effort of healing what Biden refers to as the 'soul of the nation.”
Japan Times
WORLD
Jun 2, 2023

Macron handed Marine Le Pen her big chance and she’s struggling

Le Pen’s advisers identified the wave of anger unleashed by Macron’s pension reform as a great opportunity, but the old problems that have dogged her career won’t go away.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 20, 2023

Women take on Japan's political gender gap for 'true democracy'

A Tokyo-based foundation has organized a series of seminars by leading politicians for 20 women age under 40 in a bid to address the nation's political imbalance.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
May 15, 2023

Uzbekistan-born lawmaker looks to turn love of Japan into social change

Orzugul, who was recently elected to a seat in the Setagaya Ward Assembly, is looking to use it to address concerns of marginalized groups — issues she is all too familiar with.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 14, 2023

From rap star to engineer to young mayor demolishing swaths of Kathmandu

Balendra Shahm known as Balen, made an unlikely bid for mayor of Kathmandu, Nepal's capital, last May.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
May 10, 2023

Kishida’s close call, Kyoto’s dual festivals and the now not-so-novel coronavirus

Deep Dive is back with updates on the attack on Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, COVID-19 and all the partying that Kyoto has been doing.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 26, 2023

Democrats should cheer up about Biden’s bid for another four years

Voters have understandable hesitation about the Joe Biden’s age, but they ought to feel good about his accomplishments.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 25, 2023

Japan’s political landscape after the unified elections

The ruling LDP and its junior coalition partner saw most of their candidates succeed across the country in Sunday's unified elections. The exception is where Nippon Ishin no Kai surged.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Apr 18, 2023

Why left-wing parties in Japan are failing to attract young voters

While liberal youths overseas have been able to find their way into politics, in Japan, forces on the left like the Japanese Communist Party have largely been unable to garner support.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Apr 5, 2023

Could Arfiya Eri be a sign of change for the Liberal Democratic Party?

The 34-year-old Kitakyushu native has a mixed heritage and diverse political views that could help boost the ruling party and freshen up its image.
Japan Times
WORLD
Mar 28, 2023

Scotland’s top party, reeling from divisions, picks a new leader

Humza Yousaf emerged with a narrow victory in a bruising leadership race that followed the surprise resignation last month of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 2, 2023

The paradox that is Fumio Kishida’s leadership

Lucky for Prime Minister Kishida, the Japanese public does not see a viable alternative to the LDP for running the government.
Japan Times
WORLD
Feb 14, 2023

Kremlin moves to rein in Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin

The founder of Russia's Wagner mercenary group has grabbed headlines over his role in Ukraine and is sometimes portrayed in the West as a real-life James Bond villain.
Japan Times
WORLD / ANALYSIS
Jan 27, 2023

Erdogan thrusts NATO expansion issue into Turkey's tense election campaign

Facing his biggest political test in two decades in power, Erdogan took a stance that has proven effective before — criticizing perceived Islamophobia in Europe.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jul 23, 2023

No opposition. No choice. Cambodia’s election paves way for dynastic rule.

This dynastic succession within a parliamentary system, at the sole discretion of Hun Sen, demonstrates the grip he has on power after eliminating virtually all opposition.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 17, 2023

Does Mark Zuckerberg even want Threads to replace Twitter?

Meta is going to have a hard time engaging users if posts lack wit, personality and a taste of the real world.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 16, 2023

Why can’t the Republicans quit Donald Trump?

Republican presidential candidates are preaching the same message — but Trumpism without Trump isn’t selling.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Jul 11, 2023

Role of Thailand's monarchy looms over battle to appoint prime minister

A deadlock over the appointment could tip Southeast Asia's second-largest economy into crisis, with reformers vying to dislodge the grip on power of the royalist military establishment.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 20, 2023

What’s not to like about Rudd’s appointment as Canberra’s man in Washington?

Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has the resume and qualifications to serve Canberra well in Washington.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends a NATO leaders summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 12. The leader's efforts to conduct diplomacy in the face of conflict have drawn comparisons with British wartime leader Winston Churchill.
COMMENTARY / World / Geoeconomic Briefing
Jul 20, 2023

Why Zelenskyy's diplomacy is a key factor in Ukraine's efforts to win war

The leader's counteroffensive came at a critical time, sandwiched between two summits — the Group of Seven summit in May and a NATO summit earlier this month.
Spanish far-right Vox party leader Santiago Abascal (center) greets supporters as he arrives to deliver a speech at the party headquarters in Madrid on Sunday after Spain's general election.
WORLD
Jul 25, 2023

Setback for Spain's Vox points to limits of European far-right advance

Vox's share of seats fell to 33 from 52, suggesting an electoral ceiling for some European far-right parties even though their rise has worried leaders from Brussels to Berlin.
Bradley Fighting Vehicles on Jan. 25 at the Transportation Core Dock in North Charleston, South Carolina, ahead of shipment as part of a U.S. military aid package to Ukraine.
COMMENTARY / World / Geoeconomic Briefing
Aug 8, 2023

Is China going unchecked while the West supports Ukraine?

Some have criticized Washington's efforts to help Kyiv as having a negative impact on its ability to deter a possible contingency from Beijing.
In 'Ooku: The Inner Chambers,' a secretly female shogun rules Japan and is attended to by a group of male concubines.
CULTURE / TV & Streaming
Aug 17, 2023

'Ooku: The Inner Chambers': Alternative history explores gender norms

The Netflix anime tells a complex love story in an alternate-reality Edo Japan in which an illness upends gender roles.
A promotional poster for the film "Barbie" in Tokyo on Aug. 3
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 23, 2023

Why is the ‘Barbie’ movie bombing in Japanese theaters?

The fact that the movie's female empowerment theme won’t have a positive, lasting impact in Japan is a shame.
U.S. President Joe Biden has so far not commented on 91 felony counts in four indictments leveled at Donald Trump this year.
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Aug 28, 2023

Trump trials: A challenge and opportunity for Biden

So far, Biden hasn't weighed in on Trump's legal woes, which could boost the Republican's campaign while also shedding light on his alleged crimes.
A residential compound near the Orlen refinery on the outskirts of Plock, Poland
WORLD / Society
Aug 28, 2023

After weaponizing immigrants, Europe’s east finds it needs them

Economic reality has caught up with some of the most vitriolic anti-immigrant rhetoric on the continent.
Foxconn founder Terry Gou announces his bid for Taiwan's presidency in Taipei on Monday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Aug 29, 2023

Foxconn chief Terry Gou could upend Taiwan presidential poll

The tech titan has touted his business experience in announcing his presidential bid, but a number of challenges — including his ties to China — await.
A supporter of the main opposition Kuomintang party shows their fingernails painted with the Taiwan flag, during the party's annual conference in New Taipei City, Taiwan, on July 23.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Aug 31, 2023

Taiwan parties spar for young vote as high-stakes elections loom

The outcome of the closely watched January 2024 vote will set the tone for Taipei's tumultuous relationship with Beijing.

Longform

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