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July 24, 2026
 

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Jan-Werner Mueller
People attend a vigil in Provo, Utah, on Friday to honor slain right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. The killing of Kirk is highlighting the deep asymmetry in American politics.
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 14, 2025
Is violence policy in Donald Trump¡¯s new America?
This does not mean that the U.S. is sliding toward civil war, though some appear to be itching for it and might feel well-prepared.
U.S. President Donald Trump¡¯s threat to punish Brazil with tariffs to protect former President Jair Bolsonaro is just one sign that the far right is shifting from rhetoric to real cross-border solidarity that undermines democratic norms.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 28, 2025
Trump is trying to build a far-right international alliance
There has been a lack of concrete solidarity among populist leaders. But Trump is changing that in his second term.
It's not just the far right, even some liberal voices worry that Marine Le Pen's conviction and disqualification undermine France's democracy, but their arguments don¡¯t hold up.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 15, 2025
No, Le Pen was not railroaded
Le Pen is appealing the verdict and her supporters are not the only ones finding fault with it.
Many attribute the far right¡¯s recent global rise to ¡°anti-incumbency¡± bias, but this overlooks how the COVID-19 crisis fostered division and distrust, turning voters against their governments.?
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 2, 2025
Confronting the pandemic¡¯s toxic political legacy
Libertarian resentment over past restrictions and mandates is one thing; an abiding distrust of scientists is quite another.
Donald Trump is joined on stage by former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at a campaign event in Duluth, Georgia, on Oct. 23.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 5, 2024
When the leftists embrace the far right
Do these political migrations reflect a mere opportunistic betrayal of principles or is something more complicated going on?
A protestor hold what they called a Stand up to Racism rally in Liverpool, England, on Aug 3. Savvy anti-populists should concentrate their rhetorical fire on populist leaders, rather than on their supporters.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 30, 2024
The counteroffensive against populism
One lesson from the past few months might sound like a truism: All parties that value democracy must unite to face down anti-democratic threats.
Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at a rally in Vandalia, Ohio, earlier this month.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 20, 2024
The zombification of American politics
Turning a party into an autocracy is a logical first step toward turning the country into one.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 30, 2022
What makes a fascist?
Parties or regimes exhibiting certain features might not be fascist today; but they could become so in predictable ways.
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
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 18, 2021
Austria¡¯s disgraced conservative former leader was without qualities
Kurz¡¯s fall is widely seen as having consequences beyond Austria: his approach had been touted as a model for center-right parties across Europe, especially in Germany.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 8, 2021
The far-right¡¯s new-old war on women
Ultimately, the real problem for many on the far right is liberalism, and particularly the liberation of women from laws and social norms enforcing male domination.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 25, 2021
All quiet on the populist front?
Liberals around the world are daring to hope that there is a silver lining to the violent denouement of Donald Trump¡¯s presidency: namely, that the inciter-in-chief¡¯s ignominious exit from the political stage will chasten authoritarian populists elsewhere. Unfortunately, their optimism is naive....
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 8, 2021
Send the right message: Remove Trump now
The violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, incited by Trump, represents something new and profane in American history.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 13, 2020
Truth and de-Trumpification
Historically, plenty of other countries¡¯ transitions from authoritarianism have been characterized by a willingness to leave former power-holders unpunished.
COMMENTARY / World
May 4, 2020
Where is the local news about COVID-19?
There¡¯s a paucity of accurate, practical community-level information about the pandemic.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 20, 2017
How populists win when they lose
The choices made by established conservative elites, as much as the challenges posed by insurgent outsiders, determine the fate of democracy.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 25, 2016
¡®Illiberal democracies¡¯ trod a dangerous path
Instead of describing Europe¡¯s new authoritarian leaders as ¡®illiberal¡¯ we should be calling them what they really are: ¡®undemocratic.¡¯
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 7, 2013
Should we outlaw hate-filled extremist parties?
The Greek government¡¯s crackdown on the country¡¯s far-right Golden Dawn party revives the vexing question of whether we should outlaw the more hateful, extremist political parties.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 20, 2013
Populism without the people
Nicolas Maduro¡¯s narrow win in Venezuela¡¯s presidential election raises an important question: Can populism thrive without a popular, charismatic leader?
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 27, 2011
Understanding the language of global protest
The protest movements that have flared up across the West, from Chile to Germany, have remained curiously undefined and under-analyzed. Some speak of them as the greatest global mobilization since 1968 ¡ª when enrag¨¦s in very different countries coalesced around similar concerns. But others insist...
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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