51³Ô¹ÏÍø

author

 
Menu
Search
 
July 24, 2026
 

Home Delivery
Subscribe for more access

Meta

Zhang Jun
China¡¯s massive scale, strong education system and competitive local governance have enabled it to reach the technological frontier and dominate high-tech manufacturing despite its low per capita gross domestic product.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 19, 2025
Demystifying the manufacturing success of China
The obvious question is how a country with such low per capita GDP has managed to reach the technological frontier in so many sectors.
MIT professor Yasheng Huang argues that the seeds of China¡¯s decline were planted as far back as the 6th century with the implementation of the famed and stifling Keju civil-service examination system.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 14, 2024
Understanding China¡¯s political economy
The seeds of China¡¯s decline were planted as far back as the 6th century, with the implementation of the stifling Keju civil-service examination system.
China's exports fell by 14.5% year on year in July, a stark contrast from the robust 17.2% export growth recorded in July 2022.
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 11, 2023
Why hasn¡¯t China rushed to bail out its economy?
China¡¯s reluctance to unveil a massive stimulus package despite the ongoing economic slowdown has puzzled foreign observers and the Chinese public alike.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 19, 2023
Don¡¯t write off China¡¯s economic recovery
While China¡¯s post-pandemic economic recovery has so far lagged well behind expectations, a supportive policy package can go a long way toward changing that.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 30, 2023
China¡¯s abandoned illusion of high growth
Instead of chasing rapid growth rates at a time when the world economy is sputtering, China is emphasizing job creation and macroeconomic stability.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 10, 2023
China¡¯s savings conundrum
Forced to stay at home by stringent ¡®zero-COVID¡¯ lockdowns, Chinese stashed $3.9 trillion in bank deposits last year.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 12, 2022
Why might China avoid strong inflation?
The Chinese government knows an overly strong stimulus would entail excessive monetary expansion and a surge in inflation.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 20, 2022
What justifies China¡¯s ¡®COVID Zero¡¯ policy?
In the years since COVID-19¡¯s emergence, China has devised and implemented a highly effective disease-outbreak response system.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 27, 2022
Beijing is hedging its bets against geopolitical shock
U.S. efforts to slow Beijing¡¯s ascension on the global stage will not have a lasting impact, let alone stop China¡¯s economic and technological rise.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 23, 2021
Turning inward: Why China continues to rise
The heyday of globalization soon could be replaced by a post-pandemic era shaped by national-security concerns and border controls.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 4, 2021
China¡¯s unavoidable financial rise
Many economists in the West did not see China¡¯s massive growth coming, and its influence is now becoming impossible to ignore.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 23, 2021
What explains America¡¯s antagonism toward China?
In the last few years, the view of China as a strategic rival has taken over the American political mainstream, with leaders largely choosing confrontation over cooperation.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 29, 2021
China¡¯s accelerating fertility crisis
China has always been cautious about loosening family-planning rules. But, if it is to sustain its economic dynamism in the decades to come, it must work hard to expand its labor force.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 18, 2021
Biden should end the trade war with China
Instead of upholding Trump¡¯s confrontational China policy, Biden should accept China¡¯s central role in the global economy, and pursue a mutually beneficial trade agreement.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 24, 2020
A tale of two Chinese cities: Shenzhen and Shanghai
Shanghai and Shenzhen are both vital to China¡¯s economic future. But neither is more important than the other and each has a unique role to play.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 3, 2020
China¡¯s damaging policy disruptions
Like an overprotective parent, China¡¯s central government needs to learn to let go.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 4, 2015
China¡¯s pursuit of a new world economic order
Whether the renminbi is added to the SDR basket this October, a gradual transformation of the global system to accommodate China seems all but inevitable.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 24, 2014
Making sense of China¡¯s economic growth model
Although China¡¯s economy has expanded at a staggering pace over the last three decades, its growth model is now widely agreed to be exhausted. Many economists endorse a shift to consumption-driven growth propelled by gains in efficiciency.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 11, 2013
Slowdown belies untapped potential in China
The economic slowdown in China belies its untapped potential. The question is whether Beijing will take advantage of the cost shocks to implement necessary structural reforms.
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

SUSTAINABLE 51³Ô¹ÏÍø

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER