Tokyo’s hard line slowing solution to abduction issue Japan is understandably upset over past abductions of its citizens by North Korea. But rightwing pressure has made a solution almost impossible. It is a good example of how emotional nationalism and Tokyo’s manipulations can damage sensible foreign policies. At first Tokyo
MoreElections, abductees, nuclear weapons and North Korea Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had compelling political reasons for calling Sunday’s snap election BY GREGORY CLARK OCT 18, 2017 Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s decision to call an early Lower House election, due this Sunday, was a puzzle. Together with its coalition partner, Komeito,
MoreFalse claims and false flag storiesWestern governments and media are free to say whatever they like, no matter how phoneyBY GREGORY CLARKJUL 9, 2017 I was brought up in a world where the “other side” — the Soviet Union mainly — lied through its teeth. When it said “liberation” it
MoreThe U.S. spy community — those nice people who told us they were certain the Iraq of
MoreFashions change. From the miniskirt we moved to the drape dress. From obligatory neckties
MoreGlobal warming and nuclear power:A sober approach is needed to deal with the consequences of a natural phenomenonBY GREGORY CLARKJUN 28, 2017 Global warming seems to have become the excuse for everything unusual in the weather. If it rains that is because of global warming. If it does not rain
MoreThe distaste for U.S. President Donald Trump is understandable
MoreThe perils of excessive moralism in foreign policyBY GREGORY CLARKJAN 5, 2017 “Double tap” was the name given to the U.S. drone warfare technique of first attacking a hostile target and then making another attack shortly after when the family, friends or colleagues rushed to rescue the injured in the
MoreA Machiavellian U.S. and Japan’s Northern Territories BY GREGORY CLARK DEC 12, 2016 The coming visit to Japan by Russian President Vladimir Putin is already following a familiar pattern. Well before the Russian (or Soviet) leader arrives we are told how Tokyo will resolutely press its claim for the return
MoreTargeted protectionism can aid developing economiesBY GREGORY CLARKNOV 28, 2016 There was much irony in the fact that Peru this year came to host the recent annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. APEC began life as the 1970s brainchild of some anti-communist Japanese and Australian National University academics. They wanted a
MoreTrump will have to overcome the U.S. foreign policy ‘Blob’BY GREGORY CLARKNOV 18, 2016 U.S. President Barack Obama speechwriter Ben Rhodes once described the U.S. media, think tanks and other establishment critics trying to dominate the crafting of foreign policy as the “Blob.” They still exist. So while the anti-Donald
MoreWhile the global media have been searching for clues to explain the March 8 disappearance
MoreThursday, Dec. 13, 2012 READERS IN COUNCILMarching orders to the Japanese By GREGORY CLARKTokyo The Dec. 2 Timeout feature, “Japan’s whistle-blower supreme speaks out,” misses several points. Former Olympus Corp. chief Michael Woodford is not quite the hero the article portrays. Woodford was brought in to help a company in
MoreThe Tiananmen Square Massacre Myth (slightly expanded version of my Japan Times article of 7/21/07)Begins: With the Beijing Olympics looming we see more attempts to remind the world about an alleged June 4, 1989, massacre of innocent students in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. The New York Times, which did so much
MoreIntro: The Internet brings much of use. But it also provides a platform for blowhards trying to promote themselves by abusing and attacking others. These uglyself-aggrandisers have to be answered, using the same platform. Case in point: the subject of this note. Begins: Back in the early nineties a web
MoreDEV MEMO: ここのページは THE JAPAN TIMES INDEXページに表示。 No rest for ‘China threat’ lobby I recognize that it (China) is becoming a considerable threat.”— Foreign Minister Taro Aso For as long as I have been in the China-watching business (more than 40 years now), there has always been a China “threat.”
MoreThe Japan Times, Monday, January 23, 1978 By GREGORY CLARK Visiting Professor, Sophia University International Division The key to Japan’s economic problems may not be apparent to its leaders or economists. But to the average foreigner who has to live here it should be as obvious as the fact that
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