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July 24, 2026
 

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Anders Aslund
Russian President Vladimir Putin views Tu-160M strategic bombers at the Kazan Aviation Factory in Kazan, Russia, in February 2024.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 8, 2025
Stagflation is hitting Russia¡¯s war economy
Putin apparently does not think his popularity could withstand devoting much more of the budget to the war effort.
People line up to use an ATM in the separatist-controlled city of Donetsk, Ukraine, days after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized the full-scale invasion of the country in February 2022. Western financial sanctions have weighed on the Russian ruble, which has sunk from 34 to the dollar in 2013 to around 100 today.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 27, 2025
Putin¡¯s war is fueling Russian stagflation
For a normal country, a budget deficit of 2% of GDP would be of no concern. But Russia is not a normal country.
A funeral is held for Russian military personnel and civilians killed in the war with Ukraine, at a cemetery in Luhansk, in Russian-controlled Ukraine, in May 2023. The U.S. estimates that 120,000 Russian soldiers have been killed and another 180,000 injured, further worsening the nation's manpower shortages and economic output.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 4, 2024
The Russian war economy¡¯s days are numbered
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his cronies boast that the sanctions make Russia stronger, but they incessantly call for all restrictions to be lifted.
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris meets with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a summit seeking peace in Ukraine, in Stansstad, Switzerland, on June 15.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 25, 2024
Kamala Harris must correct America¡¯s Ukraine policy
The war in Ukraine could be a boon for Harris, but she must correct Biden¡¯s mistakes and provide the additional resources Ukraine needs to defeat Russia.
Though the West has supplied desperately needed weapons and ammunition, it has done little else to address Ukraine¡¯s needs or establish shared goals.
COMMENTARY / World
May 22, 2024
The war in Ukraine needs a stronger unified Western strategy
Though the West has supplied desperately needed weapons and ammunition, it has done little else to address Ukraine¡¯s needs.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 16, 2023
Preparing for Ukraine¡¯s reconstruction
With the estimated cost of Ukraine¡¯s postwar recovery reaching hundreds of billions of dollars, Western governments must develop a cohesive and unified strategy.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 14, 2023
Putin cronies and criminals gear up to steal Russia
Owing to Vladimir Putin¡¯s war in Ukraine and the West¡¯s response, hundreds of billions of dollars¡¯ worth of assets are up for grabs in Russia.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 17, 2022
How to win friends and drain Russia¡¯s war machine
By establishing a buyers¡¯ cartel to impose a price cap on Russian crude, the West could achieve its goal of defunding Russia¡¯s war machine.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 13, 2022
Vladimir Putin¡¯s failed state, a disaster of his own making
So great is Putin¡¯s Ukraine blunder that he may now have rendered Russia a failed state ¡ª a political or economic system that has become so weak that the government is no longer in control.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 19, 2021
Putin¡¯s Ukraine saber-rattling and a last gasp
With Russia¡¯s economy faltering, Vladimir Putin may be seeking a military victory to turn around his tanking political fortunes.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 8, 2021
Confronting the Kremlin¡¯s new hybrid war in Europe
Russia¡¯s recent aggressive moves have multiple objectives. But the Kremlin¡¯s greatest desire is to divide and weaken the European Union.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 7, 2021
The case for stronger Russia sanctions
The Crimea sanctions have had the intended economic effect. Whereas Central and Eastern Europe¡¯s GDP has grown by 3% to 5% per year since 2014, Russia¡¯s has stagnated.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 21, 2021
Putin¡¯s dangerous Ukraine narrative
Make no mistake: by denying Ukraine¡¯s right to independence, Putin is setting the stage for war. The West must quickly decide what it is willing to do to prevent it.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 16, 2021
Russia¡¯s bear economy
Lacking secure property rights and being subject to Western sanctions, Russia can attract only fools and crooks.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 17, 2021
Putin¡¯s Potemkin empire
Putin¡¯s Russia is shakier than most believe.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 28, 2020
China should join the Paris Club
The problem is that China, the largest sovereign lender in the world, is not a member, because other leading creditors complain that its loans and lending conditions are not transparent.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 4, 2017
Russia¡¯s oligarchs-in-waiting
As the better-known children of Russia¡¯s previous generation of oligarchs have steadily left the country, the offspring of Vladimir Putin¡¯s cronies have taken their place.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 4, 2017
Russia¡¯s neo-feudal capitalism
Russian President Vladimir Putin¡¯s model of crony capitalism poses a genuine threat to social and political stability.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 14, 2015
Putin¡¯s newfound prudence
Russia¡¯s economic stagnation confronts President Vladimir Putin with a challenge he has never faced: leading the country at a time when there is no light visible at the end of the tunnel.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 13, 2015
Russia¡¯s war on Ukraine¡¯s economy
Ukraine¡¯s primary economic challenges are not homegrown; they are the result of Russian aggression.
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer¡¯s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ¡°seed¡± that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ¡°Peak 1 amyloid beta,¡± as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" ¡ª an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role
Iranian drones are displayed in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Jan. 13, 2025.U.S. officials have acknowledged that Russia has ?provided targeting ?and other support for Iran in its drone strikes on U.S. targets in the Persian Gulf region.
The sci-fi sensibilities of electronic trio Black Boboi
Black Boboi was formed in 2018 when solo artists Julia Shortreed, Utena Kobayashi and Ermhoi came together under Kobayashi¡¯s newly founded label, Bindividual.
A perfect storm: Kaze Fujii fans flock to Fuji Rock
Okayama-born singer-songwriter Kaze Fujii has carved out a distinctive place in Japanese pop since his major-label debut in 2019.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan¡¯s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan¡¯s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

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