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July 25, 2026
 

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Koichi Hamada
Japan's weak yen now does more harm than good, making higher interest rates the right policy despite the success of Abenomics-era monetary easing.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 13, 2026
The yen¡¯s plunge changes the case for Bank of Japan rate hikes
The Japanese yen has sunk to a 40-year low against the U.S. dollar recently. Raising interest rates would strengthen the yen.
U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at Gimhae Air Base in Busan, South Korea, in October.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 10, 2026
U.S. President Donald Trump is no game theorist
Game theorists argue that repeating the prisoner¡¯s dilemma eventually leads to better outcomes, as the more impatient country might give up on the high-risk strategy.
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda attends a commemorative ceremony at the BOJ's headquarters in Tokyo on July 3, the day new yen notes went into circulation.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 11, 2024
Japan needs tighter monetary policy to restore balance
Japan¡¯s economy undoubtedly suffers when the yen is too strong; that is why some advocate for a more expansionary monetary policy.
With the world's democracies and authoritarian regimes watching, the U.S. election on Nov. 5 will have global implications.
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 10, 2024
The choice confronting American voters
Republicans and Democrats differ significantly on the role of government in society, a divide that the U.S. Supreme Court used to mediate.
Unfortunately, the Bank of Japan kept monetary policy too tight after the 1985 Plaza Accord, leaving Japan mired in deflation and recession for two decades.?
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 21, 2024
Does the world need a Plaza Accord 2.0?
Unfortunately, the Bank of Japan kept monetary policy too tight after 1985 Plaza Accord and Japan was mired in deflation and recession for two decades.
Despite Shinzo Abe's numerous achievements as prime minister, including job creation and efforts to promote workforce gender equality, recent controversies surrounding his tenure, including ties to controversial groups and scandals within his political faction, have tarnished his image.
COMMENTARY
May 7, 2024
The economic legacy of Japan¡¯s longest-serving prime minister
Under Abenomics and the BOJ¡¯s monetary policy, employment rose more than under any other Japanese government in the 21st century.
The yen's exchange rate against the dollar on Wednesday. The yen declined from ?103 against the dollar in 2020 to as little as ?151 in late 2023.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 11, 2024
Is a weak yen good for Japan¡¯s economy?
The yen¡¯s fast depreciation is boosting overseas investment and sectors like tourism, but could also trigger inflation. In response, the BOJ should raise interest rates.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 12, 2023
Japan¡¯s giant of central banking
Critics of former BOJ Gov. Kuroda complain that he never achieved the 2% inflation target. What they fail to acknowledge is his policies led to a dramatic strengthening of the labor market.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 17, 2023
Should Japan have a nuclear-sharing agreement?
While Japan may be softening to the idea of taking a more active role in its own security, persuading the Japanese to accept the idea of hosting nuclear weapons will not be easy.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 8, 2023
Barbarians at democracy¡¯s gates
The conventional wisdom is that the arc of history always bends toward peace, tolerance, justice and democracy. But recent political violence makes it clear there is no room for complacency.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 7, 2022
A man who genuinely cared: Mourning the real Shinzo Abe
Though the slain former Japanese prime minister belonged to the hawkish wing of his party, he was not the unbending nationalist conservative that many foreigners deemed him to be.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 8, 2022
Will Taiwan be the next Ukraine?
It may take a Chinese invasion of Taiwan before the world finds out if the U.S. will defend the island.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 6, 2022
When will this inflation ever end?
To understand the increase in consumer price inflation around the world, one must look not only at supply and demand but also at the wedge that the coronavirus introduced between them.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 16, 2022
The old way is not the best way to make Japan productive again
If Japanese firms opt to resume a traditional work routine ¡ª with its long hours, exhausting commutes and minimal vacations ¡ª both people and the economy will suffer.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 21, 2022
The power and poison of Modern Monetary Theory
The rigid stances of MMT¡¯s devotees and detractors have not led to productive discussions over its viability.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 7, 2021
What will Fumio Kishida do?
The questions now are how Kishida will use this impressive election result and what will his leadership mean for Japan?
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 4, 2021
The right economic advice for the pandemic recovery
The challenge now is to devise a recovery strategy that recognizes the implications of today¡¯s global economic interdependence.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 25, 2021
The U.S. and its immigration calculus
Higher levels of immigration may help to explain why U.S. GDP growth often exceeds that of Japan.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 3, 2021
Biden¡¯s stimulus trade-offs
While Lawrence Summers may be overstating the inflation threat, a careful review of Joe Biden¡¯s stimulus plan along the lines he proposes is probably a good idea.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 28, 2020
Epidemics, economics and externalities
The COVID-19 pandemic and environmental threats will hopefully fuel demands for greater social solidarity.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
Head of Swiss euthanasia firm dies after collapsing while ascending Mount Fuji
Around 200,000 people typically scale the 3,776 meter Mount Fuji each year.
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 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.
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.
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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