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JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jan 23, 2022

Kishida and Biden in lockstep, but COVID-19 means 2022 goals may prove elusive

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was able to tick many of the boxes on Japan's wishlist during his virtual summit with U.S. President Joe Biden, but now the hard part begins.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 16, 2022

Chaos and opportunism in Kazakhstan

Instead of recognizing that the protests are an angry and predictable response to the government's own policies, President Tokayev has conjured the specter of an external aggressor.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 15, 2022

Boris Johnson brought to brink by the vengeful aide he crossed

Since being forced acrimoniously from his post as Johnson's most powerful adviser 14 months ago, Cummings has repeatedly resurfaced to throw dirt at his former boss.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 8, 2022

Sidney Poitier, who paved the way for Black actors in film, dies at 94

Poitier, who established himself as Hollywood's first Black matinee idol, died Thursday night at his home in Los Angeles. He was 94.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 7, 2022

The Jan. 6 riot and the possessive white male

In the grand scheme of things, it is tempting to interpret the far-right's rage now and on Jan. 6 as a sign that things ultimately are changing for the better as theirs is a losing battle.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 7, 2022

A year later, Capitol riot becomes just another wedge in a divided U.S.

In the 12 months since the riot, lies and disinformation spread by Donald Trump have so permeated politics that nearly universal outrage has reverted to separate blue and red realities.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 4, 2022

Forget black swans. We need to find the snow leopards.

Things to keep an eye on in 2022, the growing role of cities in the fight against climate change, the dawn of lab meat, and the resurgence of mass activism on a global scale.
JAPAN / Politics / Outlook 2022
Dec 31, 2021

2022 will offer key tests of Kishida's ability to grow into PM role

An upcoming Upper House poll and the omicron variant are among the things that will test the prime minister's capacity to build on successes and lessons from 2021.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World / The Year Ahead: Reckonings
Dec 29, 2021

Asia’s regional threats

There is no balance of power or set of rules, norms and practices that can ensure stable and predictable interstate relations in Asia.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Dec 28, 2021

Germany wants its Russian pipeline. German allies aren’t sure it’s a good idea.

With thousands of Russian troops massing on the border with Ukraine and a threat of possible U.S. sanctions against the pipeline, the future of Nord Stream 2 remains anything but certain.
Japan Times
WORLD
Dec 28, 2021

Iran seeks to cool tensions in Iraq

Iran is intervening in Iraq to quell destabilizing internal unrest stirred up by Iranian-backed militias as Tehran seeks to preserve its deep influence in the country.
JAPAN
Dec 24, 2021

Japan not planning to send senior officials to Beijing Olympics

In an attempt to strike a diplomatic balance in its relationships with both the U.S. and China, only Olympic officials will represent Japan at the Winter Games.
BUSINESS / Tech / Longform
Dec 20, 2021

How Twitter moderates content in Japan

Japan's top social media platform is drawing increased scrutiny about its operations, particularly in the wake of several high-profile cyberharassment incidents.
Japan Times
WORLD
Dec 20, 2021

With its human rights record in question, China turns to an old friend

Perhaps no international organization has a more symbiotic relationship with Beijing than the IOC.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Dec 20, 2021

Leftist Gabriel Boric wins Chile presidency pledging economic revamp

Leftist Gabriel Boric was elected president of Chile on Sunday, vowing higher taxes, greener industries and greater equality, after tapping into discontent over an investor-friendly economy that has left many behind.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 16, 2021

America's campaign silly season is already under way

People are far more interested in the candidates than they are in policy and they're most interested in the candidates who are already well known, whether or not they're serious contenders.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 15, 2021

Build Back Better would make Biden's terrible year even worse

If in 2022 the Democrats' congressional majorities enact Build Back Better, they might earn, and certainly will merit, the restfulness of the political graveyard in 2023.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Dec 7, 2021

Four-time hockey medalist happy U.S. athletes can compete in Beijing

Angela Ruggiero, who won gold for the United States in 1998 and later served as a member of the IOC, said it was important that athletes were not penalized for politics.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Dec 3, 2021

Carrie Lam’s second term depends on 0.02% of Hong Kong’s people

Lam's approval rating plummeted to around 15% two years ago, and while it has since doubled, only about one in three residents support her.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Dec 1, 2021

New CDP leader brings youth and a fresh face but still faces old problems in rebuilding party

Kenta Izumi's relative youth, while providing a fresh look for the CDP, could make dealing with more experienced politicians in the ruling and opposition parties more difficult.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Nov 28, 2021

Boris Johnson courts edgy MPs who may one day end his career

Johnson has been hosting weekly drinks and canapes for Tory MPs, divided into groups according to the years they entered Parliament, to try to soothe nerves.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Nov 28, 2021

Jair Bolsonaro’s foe on COVID-19 approach to run for Brazil presidency

The governor of Brazil's richest and most populous state was picked by the Brazilian Social Democracy Party as its candidate for next year's election challenging President Jair Bolsonaro.
Japan Times
SPORTS
Nov 25, 2021

Does the sports world still need China?

The rewards for international sports leagues doing business in China are plain: lucrative broadcast deals and millions of new consumers. But the risks are also clear.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Nov 24, 2021

Peng Shuai case is the latest glimpse into the machinery of Beijing's control

The tennis star was not heard from publicly for nearly three weeks after alleging former vice premier Zhang Gaoli sexually assaulted her.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Nov 19, 2021

China can’t censor away growing anger over athlete’s #MeToo accusation

Peng Shuai's case is the first #MeToo accusation leveled against someone within the highest ranks of power in China.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 17, 2021

Shinzo Abe became a faction boss. Now comes the tough part.

The former prime minister now leads the biggest LDP faction, but that doesn't automatically mean he will become kingmaker of the party
Japan Times
WORLD
Nov 16, 2021

For Meghan, an image rendered in a U.K.-U.S. split screen

Although the Duchess of Sussex remains a polarizing figure in Britain, she has been able to restyle herself in the U.S. as a business owner and social activist.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Nov 16, 2021

Avoiding battle with daughter over vice presidency, Rodrigo Duterte to seek Senate seat

Sara Duterte-Carpio is set to contest two of the most powerful posts in a country where the family has built considerable political clout.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 12, 2021

Japan’s new foreign minister isn’t a pro-China ‘panda hugger’

While we must see how Hayashi handles Japan's foreign policy in the months to come, one thing is certain, China should not be optimistic that Hayashi will be different from his predecessors.

Longform

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