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July 25, 2026
 

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Kishore Mahbubani
By spurring the ASEAN countries to deepen cooperation, with one another and with others, U.S. tariffs could bring about an even more prosperous ¡ª and, crucially, resilient ¡ª grouping.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 9, 2025
Trump vs. a united ASEAN
By spurring the ASEAN countries to deepen cooperation, U.S. tariffs could bring about an even more prosperous ¡ª and, crucially, resilient ¡ª grouping.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 21, 2022
The hard-won benefits of Indonesia¡¯s soft diplomacy
The rest of the world would benefit by learning a lesson or two from Indonesian President Joko Widodo¡¯s success at the recent G20 summit in Bali.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 26, 2020
East Asia¡¯s new edge
A deep determination to battle against great odds may explain why East Asia has so far responded much better to the COVID-19 pandemic than most Western countries.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 27, 2019
Trump, Macron and the poverty of liberalism
If liberals want to defeat populists, there is only one route: Regain the trust of the voters that form much of their base.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 17, 2018
America¡¯s needless collision course with China
The world¡¯s most important bilateral relationship is also one of its most inscrutable.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 13, 2016
Understanding the geopolitics of populism
What unites supporters of Donald Trump and the U.K.¡¯s ¡®leave¡¯ campaign is not anger at being excluded from the benefits of globalization, but rather a shared sense of unease that they no longer control their own destinies.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 26, 2014
Unlocking ASEAN¡¯s true economic potential
Some critics insist that ASEAN members vary too widely in terms of economic development to create a smoothly functioning manufacturing entity. But ASEAN, unlike the European Union, is not trying to form a monetary union.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 19, 2014
Asia¡¯s budding reform trinity
Three of Asia¡¯s most populous countries — China, India and Indonesia — are poised to enter a historical sweet spot, as their respective leaders build a reputation as one of his country¡¯s greatest modern reformists.
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 20, 2013
Silver linings for a golden age
Despite the massive challenges that countries like Syria, Somalia, Egypt, and Afghanistan currently face, and global challenges like food security and climate change, the world has reason to be hopeful about the future.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 3, 2013
Going gracefully into the No. 2 spot is not what Americans had in mind
If the era of American dominance in international affairs is indeed coming to an end, then the main question is how well the U.S. is prepared for the No. 2 spot.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 7, 2013
The dynasty-loving Asians
To the extent that culture matters in politics, the recent spate of leadership changes in Northeast Asia suggests that Asian societies are more tolerant ¡ª if not supportive ¡ª of dynastic succession.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 31, 2012
China appears to be losing its diplomatic grip
In 2016, China¡¯s share of the global economy will be larger than America¡¯s in purchasing-price-parity terms. This is an earth-shaking development; in 1980, when the United States accounted for 25 percent of world output, China¡¯s share of the global economy was only 2.2 percent. And yet, after 30 years...
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 22, 2011
Egyptians share a demand with Californians
SINGAPORE ¡ª While Egypt has had too little democracy and is moving toward more, California has had too much democracy and is moving toward less. The common mean point they should arrive at is democracy that delivers good government ¡ª not mushy ¡°governance.¡±
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 20, 2010
The paradox of blinking
SINGAPORE ¡ª The world has recently witnessed two major diplomatic blinks. Japan, facing mounting pressure from China, unconditionally released a Chinese trawler captain whose ship had rammed a Japanese Coast Guard patrol boat. And U.S. President Barack Obama did nothing when Israel refused to extend...
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 4, 2010
Pragmatic Asia can bolster global stability
DAVOS, Switzerland ¡ª Is there an ¡°Asian way¡± for resolving global challenges? The conventional answer is no. But elements of an Asian way are gradually emerging. Given Asia¡¯s growing influence, the world should pay attention ¡ª and may have much to gain.
COMMENTARY / World
May 10, 2009
The audacity of optimism in the Middle East
SINGAPORE ¡ª The world will be enveloped in a heavy cloud of gloom and doom this year. Economies will sputter, governments will fall and companies will fail. But the biggest danger of all is a sense of hopelessness. Preventing this requires resolving some large and apparently intractable problem. Closing...
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 22, 2008
Indonesia¡¯s miraculous ¡®free¡¯ democracy
JAKARTA ¡ª Modern miracles do happen. Ten years ago, as the Asian financial crisis savaged Indonesia¡¯s economy, many experts predicted that the country would become unstable, if not splinter. Instead, Indonesia, the world¡¯s most populous Islamic country, has emerged as a beacon of freedom and democracy...
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 10, 2007
Disparate tale of two Asian dictatorships
PRAGUE ¡ª Myanmar and Pakistan are both Asian countries whose military rulers are in trouble. But they are heading in opposite directions, because, whereas Pakistan understands why Asia is rising, Myanmar does not.
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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