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COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 23, 2022

Japan’s intervention underlines its interest rate isolation

The yen is paying the price for the Bank of Japan's ultraeasy monetary stance. Until the bank shifts, a sustained rally is very difficult.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 23, 2022

Take Putin’s nuclear threat seriously, but not too seriously

Few think the Russian leader would be foolish enough to escalate radically, but there's also a strong argument to be made that he's not bluffing.
Japan Times
WORLD
Sep 23, 2022

Russia starts annexation vote in parts of Ukraine

The results are seen as a foregone conclusion in favor of annexation, and Ukraine and its allies have already made clear they will not recognize the results.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World / Geoeconomic Briefing
Sep 22, 2022

The war in Ukraine offers valuable lessons on changing global relations

With Sweden and Finland applying to join NATO, and other countries getting closer to Russia, the conflict has had a significant effect on international politics.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 21, 2022

Frustrated and snubbed, Putin is running out of options

Facing setbacks on the battlefield and the diplomatic stage, Russian President Vladimir Putin has been under pressure to call for nationwide mobilization. It's already too late.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 21, 2022

Ukraine wants Japan to be a security guarantor

Given Japan is the world's No. 3 economy, and despite it's inability to grant substantive military support, Kyiv's pursuit of Tokyo's backing makes sense and would be a boon for Ukraine.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 21, 2022

Want a better IRS? Simplify the tax code

The biggest problem facing the IRS isn't bad management or a lack of resources, but the metastasizing complexity of the tax rules it must administer.
Japan Times
WORLD
Sep 21, 2022

Russia signals annexation of parts of Ukraine, raising stakes in fighting

Kremlin-backed officials in four partially occupied regions announced referendums on joining Russia, as Moscow tightens its grip and hints at escalation.
Japan Times
WORLD
Sep 21, 2022

How the U.N. became a bystander to the world’s biggest flashpoint

Interviews with several officials reveal a rising frustration with a body founded nearly 80 years ago that is increasingly powerless to shape global events.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 19, 2022

A Ukrainian victory may make the Russian war more dangerous

Kyiv should be proud of the astounding success of its recent offensive, but defeat may push Vladimir Putin to reach for deadlier tactics.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 18, 2022

The U.K.’s masses descend on London to say goodbye

While it fits with a national stereotype, the orderly 30-hour, 7-km queue for the lying-in-state of Queen Elizabeth II is about more than just lining up.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 18, 2022

There’s one way to wean India off Russian weapons

Switching to Western platforms is expensive. Instead India needs to do the hard work of developing a viable domestic defense industry.
JAPAN
Sep 18, 2022

Former members of Unification Church rail at politicians who embraced it

The assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in July has opened a debate over the church and has shone a spotlight on its close ties with the ruling LDP.
Music streaming service Spotify started offering audiobooks in October, but not everyone in the book industry is thrilled.
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 20, 2023

Spotify's push into audiobooks sparks concern among authors

Spotify began offering complimentary audiobooks to millions of customers in October as part of their monthly subscriptions.
Manchester City players celebrate winning the Champions League final over Inter Milan in Istanbul in June.
SOCCER
Dec 21, 2023

Super League vs UEFA: Court to rule on future of European soccer

The latest bid to set up a Super League of the biggest European soccer clubs collapsed swiftly under the weight of fan anger, but the idea did not die.
A Mainichi poll this week gave Fumio Kishida's Cabinet a nearly 80% disapproval rate, the worst result since the newspaper began surveying in 1947.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 21, 2023

No, seriously, this is one Japan scandal that’s important

With no clear rival, and potential challengers likely reluctant to take their shot with support so low, Kishida may yet hang on in the near term.
Real Madrid's Luka Modric battles for the ball with FC Barcelona's Ilkay Gundogan during a match in October. Plans for a European Super League bringing together elite soccer clubs such as the two Spanish outfits won a surprise boost on Thursday.
SOCCER
Dec 22, 2023

Teams shun European Super League despite shock court victory

UEFA and FIFA are "abusing a dominant position” by applying arbitrary rules on approval, control and sanctions, the top EU court said.
Workers disassemble vehicle battery packs in a workshop in Dongguan, China.
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 22, 2023

China bans export of rare earths processing tech over security

China has significantly tightened rules guiding exports of several metals this year, in an escalating battle with the West over control of key minerals.
The U.S. head office of TikTok in Culver City, California
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 24, 2023

Whoever designed TikTok Shop should get coal for Christmas

With TikTok Shop's debut holiday season, is sees a mixed bag of success and struggles.
The yuan's stealthy climb in global payments could see it pose a challenge to the U.S. dollar's dominance.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 25, 2023

The yuan is finally showing some muscle in international trade

The yuan's stealthy climb in global payments could see it pose a challenge to the U.S. dollar's dominance.
Palestinians wait to collect food at a donation point in a refugee camp in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday.
WORLD / Politics
Dec 25, 2023

U.S. sees new isolation from Israel support

Gaza suffering raises ire against Washington, which is juggling backing for ally with behind-the-scenes pressure to better protect civilians.
Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley speaks at a campaign town hall in Atkinson, New Hampshire, on Dec. 14.
WORLD / Politics
Dec 26, 2023

Nikki Haley works to broaden reach as bid to beat Trump gains pace

Support for the Republican presidential contender has risen in opinion polls, but falls short among rural voters and those without college degrees.
Demonstrators rally against COVID-19 vaccine mandates in Buffalo, New York, in February 2022.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 26, 2023

It’s past time scientists admitted their COVID-19 mistakes

In 2019, 13% of Americans were distrustful enough to say they weren’t confident in scientists to act in the public’s best interest. Now it is 27%.
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda addresses a council meeting at business lobby Keidanren in Tokyo on Monday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 27, 2023

BOJ summary suggests Ueda can wait for wage results before hike

Bank of Japan board members discussed the potential timing of ending the negative rate policy during their meeting last week.
Economists often struggle to predict business downturns and different economic theories may apply in different situations.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 27, 2023

What economists got wrong about the Great Recession

Macroeconomics faces challenges and limitations in predicting and understanding economic events.
From movies, anime, manga and even to sports stars, 2023 was a year where global audiences demonstrated their increasing fondness for Japanese soft power.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 27, 2023

From Godzilla to Shohei: Japan's soft power had a big year

Little by little, Japan is getting better at pitching its copious wares overseas, and 2023 proved that.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump
WORLD / Politics
Dec 29, 2023

Maine elections official disqualifies Trump from presidential primary ballot

Maine became the second state to bar the former U.S. president for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol.
Palestinian's mourn relatives killed in an Israeli strike at the Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis on the southern Gaza Strip on Thursday.
WORLD / Politics
Dec 29, 2023

Devastating Israel-Hamas war looks set to continue into 2024

The war has more U.S. military forces to the region and fears of spillover are high, with little hope of reviving peace moves as Washington had hoped.
The Ground Self-Defense Force's Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade takes part in a marine landing drill on Tokunoshima island, Kagoshima Prefecture, on Nov. 19.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 29, 2023

Kishida’s military build-up plans face bumpy road ahead

One year on, questions remain as to whether the embattled leader, whose support rate recently dipped to new lows, can follow through on his pledges.

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