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August 13, 2026
 

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Michael J. Boskin
With so many voters suffering financially and showing an eagerness to throw politicians out of office, delivering higher living standards appears to be a necessary condition for restoring political stability to the world¡¯s democracies.
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 1, 2024
Political and economic chaos through ¡®the looking glass¡¯
America is not alone in experiencing an unanticipated upheaval. Five years ago, it seemed inconceivable that a major ground war would occur on the European continent.
How policymakers have responded to past economic crises, such as the 2008-09 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, will shape their preparedness in dealing with future recessions.?
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 8, 2024
Policy lessons from recent economic crises
Eventually, the world will face another recession. How will policymakers use the lessons learned from the 2008-09 financial crisis and COVID-19 pandemic to respond?
While Donald Trump and Joe Biden are both highly unpopular, key economic indicators and recent polls suggest that Biden should be worried about the coming election.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 13, 2024
The anatomy of the Biden-Trump rematch
Trump has an energetic base whereas Biden¡¯s re-election bid generates almost no enthusiasm. Still, many Americans strongly oppose a second Trump term.
Among the issues that defined 2023 were the U.S. economy's "soft landing," the war in Ukraine, Hamas's terrorist attack and explosive advances in AI.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 29, 2023
The most important developments of 2023
The year reminds us that the world is in desperate need of new leaders who are both competent and inspiring.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 3, 2023
The American economy is teetering on the edge
The U.S. economic situation is precarious and much will depend on fiscal and monetary policy. Still, many forecasters expect that a minor recession is coming.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 12, 2023
History repeats in a world of unwelcome replays
From high inflation to a ground war in Europe to widespread technological disruptions, the biggest challenges facing the world today are hardly unprecedented.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 28, 2022
A new year, a new U.S. Congress and new economic risks
Key macroeconomic indicators offer at least a preliminary glimpse of what 2023 may hold in store for the U.S.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 3, 2022
The White House¡¯s adventures in wonderland
Today¡¯s fraught geopolitical environment requires more transparency and less spin about the hard choices that governments face.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 26, 2022
It¡¯s the inflation, stupid
Dangerously high inflation has left Americans deeply dissatisfied with the economy and likely to punish the Democrats in this year¡¯s midterm elections.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 28, 2022
West¡¯s failed gamble on Russian and Chinese reform
Russia and China shattered the belief that economic liberalization leads inevitably to greater political freedom.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 25, 2022
Biden¡¯s misery index doesn¡¯t bode well for Democrats¡¯ political fortunes
Democrats are rightly worried that surging inflation will hurt them in the midterm congressional elections this November ¡ª and possibly even in the 2024 presidential election.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 28, 2021
Taxing economic credibility
All political leaders feel pressure to try to circumvent the laws of economics or even the laws of arithmetic ¡ª as Biden has done by claiming that his Build Back Better bill costs nothing.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 26, 2021
The true costs of government spending
It has long been clear that Biden¡¯s spending bill would leave a $1.5 trillion to $3 trillion hole to be filled with debt even after tax hikes.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 27, 2021
Biden¡¯s cruel summer
Democrats are hoping the Afghan debacle will be less salient to voters by November 2022. But the fall of Kabul could have a lasting effect.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 28, 2021
Beware America¡¯s soaring public debt
Though America¡¯s gross federal debt now stands at 107% of GDP ¡ª a post-WWII record ¡ª the Biden administration¡¯s 2022 budget will see the country¡¯s largest-ever peacetime deficits.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 25, 2020
How does the COVID-19 recession compare?
Although every recession is different, history offers lessons for the current pandemic-induced downturn.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 30, 2020
America¡¯s uncertain recovery
Policymakers must boost incentives to work in normal times when jobs are plentiful, while strengthening the safety net for when they are not.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 21, 2020
Is a strong economy enough to re-elect Donald Trump?
The U.S. president must navigate difficult swing states and hope infighting hobbles the Democrats
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 3, 2019
Politics, economics and carbon in 2019
As 2019 begins, leaders must focus on bread-and-butter domestic issues, while moving toward more flexible and decentralized political models capable of governing diverse populations.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 22, 2018
The U.S. economy and the midterms
Even if the economy doesn¡¯t affect the election, the election will affect the economy.
Gut bacteria may be behind many of Â鶹´«Ã½ colorectal cancer cases
A Japanese research team found that a toxin produced by certain E. coli strains, colibactin, caused genetic mutations in nearly half of colorectal cancer cases studied
¡®Total whiplash¡¯: Foreign residents react to Â鶹´«Ã½ changing permanent residency rules
The entrance to the Tokyo Immigration Bureau in Minato Ward, Tokyo, in March. For some foreign residents of Japan, tightening measures for permanent residency have become one factor in a broader calculation over whether remaining in the country makes financial sense over the long term.
She is Russia¡¯s richest woman. Her business empire is going up in flames.
Tatyana Kim, the head and co-founder of Wildberries, speaks about Ukrainian drone attacks on the company's warehouses in the course of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, at an unidentified location, in this still image from a handout video released on July 31.
Severe tropical storm Chan-hom makes landfall near Tokyo
Severe Tropical Storm Chan-hom made landfall around Ibaraki Prefecture, near Tokyo, on Tuesday night.
What Â鶹´«Ã½ language rules for permanent residency should look like
Potential health care workers hoping to find work in Japan take Japanese language instruction in Jakarta. Not all applicants for permanent residency should be expected to reach this level of proficiency.
Forty-five meters down, a diver races to record a fleeting moment of WWII history
Kingo Wakasa photographs the kamikaze plane wing section he discovered at the USS Emmons wreck site.
Ikarigata closer to emulating older brother Fujinokawa than many think
The future Fujinokawa (third from left) and Ikarigata (right) compete against each other at ages 5 and 3, respectively.
Where do foreign residents in Japan want to die?
The Yokohama Foreign General Cemetery is one of the few cemeteries in Japan that allows burials, albeit with conditions for the deceased, including foreign nationality and permanent residency in Kanagawa Prefecture.
¡®Total whiplash¡¯: Foreign residents react to Â鶹´«Ã½ changing permanent residency rules
The entrance to the Tokyo Immigration Bureau in Minato Ward, Tokyo, in March. For some foreign residents of Japan, tightening measures for permanent residency have become one factor in a broader calculation over whether remaining in the country makes financial sense over the long term.
As Â鶹´«Ã½ concrete jungles sizzle, urban forestry offers an all-natural fix
People and birds find relief from the sun in Tokyo's Nakano Ward earlier this month. While experts agree that urban greening is crucial to mitigating the impact of climate change, trees are becoming even more scarce in Japanese cities.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

Disaster relief workers Taichi Kato (left) and Seiji Yoshimura enter the collapsed living quarters at Kyuganji temple in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture.
What Kumamoto revealed about Â鶹´«Ã½ earthquake readiness
By Alex K.T. Martin

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