2023年

Politics

Gaza in Crisis: Voices from the Brink

The situation in the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory, is deteriorating daily. In October 2023, a child died every seven minutes, a rate ten times higher than the child fatalities in the first year of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This staggering statistic paints a grim picture of what might be one of the world’s most tragic and unjust scenes. I offer an analysis and report on the current situation in Gaza, drawing from my experience in humanitarian aid in Gaza, as well as in Lebanon and Syria. Gaza City, the largest city in the Gaza Strip located in the north, is a densely populated hub of homes and shops....
Politics

The Hidden Chronicles of Japan-North Korea Negotiations: The Distortion of Diplomacy under Abe’s Regime

In the intricate tapestry of international relations, few threads are as entangled and as enigmatic as those between Japan and North Korea. This deep dive into the veiled history of Japan-North Korea negotiations not only unveils the roots of this complex relationship but also critically examines the twists and turns it took under the administration of Shinzo Abe. We also explore the subsequent inertia in the diplomatic efforts of Fumio Kishida’s government, a legacy of his predecessor’s policies. This article sheds light on the complex historical and contemporary dynamics of Japan-North Korea relations, with a particular focus on the diplomatic strategies under Shinzo Abe and the subsequent direction under Fumio...
Politics

Shigeru Ishiba: A New Political Force Emerges as a Prime Ministerial Contender

In the ever-evolving landscape of Japanese politics, the former Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party, Shigeru Ishiba, is garnering renewed attention. Ishiba’s blog, known for its incisive commentary, has reinvigorated his political presence, positioning him as a potential candidate for the next Prime Minister. His straightforward and unvarnished opinions have resonated with a broad spectrum of the electorate, including the non-aligned voters. Ishiba’s blog, rivaling the vigor of opposition voices, offers profound insights and critiques of the current political status quo. He fearlessly criticizes government economic policies and opposition stances, providing a unique perspective that breaks free from conventional political boundaries. Amidst the waning support for Prime Minister Kishida’s administration,...
Politics

Mori Building’s Dilemma: Navigating Debt and Leadership Challenges in Modern Tokyo

Mori Building, a titan in urban development, famous for its pioneering projects like Toranomon Hills and Azabudai Hills, now faces critical scrutiny. Amidst impressive architectural feats, a lurking financial unease paints a different picture. The company’s accumulated debts have skyrocketed to a staggering 1.6 trillion yen, a drastic leap from 729 billion yen in 2012. Although revenue and profits show growth, they pale in comparison to the burgeoning debt. With five years of negative Free Cash Flow, the financial alarm bells are ringing loud and clear. At the helm is President Shingo Tsuji, steering a ship that seems to be navigating in the wake of its founder, Minoru Mori’s legacy,...
Politics

Unveiling the Impact: Haruhiko Kuroda’s Controversial Monetary Legacy in Review

The recent appearance of former Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda in the Nikkei Newspaper’s renowned column “My Resume” raises eyebrows, especially given the controversial timing amidst the ongoing challenges of his “unprecedented monetary easing” policy. This policy, launched over a decade ago and characterized by the mantra “2 years, 2%, 2 times,” has survived numerous amendments but failed to achieve its core goal of 2% inflation. Kuroda’s successor, Kazuo Ueda, is currently grappling with the side effects of this policy, including currency devaluation and increased fiscal risks. Kuroda’s entry in “My Resume,” a column traditionally reserved for individuals with significant achievements in politics, economics, culture, and sports, seems premature....
Art

Deciphering the Pink Lady Case: A Landmark Ruling on Publicity Rights in Japan

On February 2nd of this year, Japan’s Supreme Court issued a landmark decision regarding the right of publicity, a ruling that drew considerable attention as it was the first time the court had determined the significance and infringement criteria of this right. The case in question, widely covered in the media as the “Pink Lady case,” involved a lawsuit by the members of Pink Lady, a popular music duo, against a publisher for unauthorized use of their photographs in a magazine article titled “Pink Lady de Diet.” The article in question had featured 14 photographs of Pink Lady, explaining a diet method inspired by the choreography of their songs. The...
Economy

Bushido Capitalism: Visionary Leadership Amid Scrutiny

The book known by the title “Bushido Capitalism” was penned by Kengo Sakurada, the Chairman of SOMPO Holdings (a Japanese financial services company) and former Chairman of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives (Keizai Doyukai). After being released in English in July 2021, it was translated by Satomi Shibata and subsequently released in Japan in January 2022. Sakurada, drawing inspiration from Inazo Nitobe’s “Bushido: The Soul of Japan,” wrote this book with the belief that the Japanese way of the warrior, or bushido, could offer insights to global business leaders. The book boasts of integrating fashionable business theories while lauding Sakurada’s own efforts in transforming SOMPO Holdings into a company...
Economy

Lessons from 17 Years Ago: BoJ’s Rate Hike Not Necessarily Concurrent with Inflation Forecast Publication

The Bank of Japan decided on a policy amendment at the end of October that further rendered long-term interest rate operations a formality. This has now shifted the focus to the timing of the exit from negative interest rate policies. Market expectations are predominantly pointing to April next year. For instance, in an article published in mid-October, a survey by the Nikkei newspaper showed that out of 16 economists, 9 predicted April of the following year (with the monetary policy decision meeting set for the 25th and 26th). Adding one person who predicted January (with the meeting on the 22nd and 23rd), over 60% expect the policy to be lifted...
Economy

For the First Time Revealed: The ‘Top 20’ List of Medical Device Money

Medical device manufacturers such as Abbott and Terumo have funneled an annual 34 billion yen into the medical field, with Japan Medtronic at the top with 3.9 billion yen. In September 2023, a bribery scandal surrounding the selection of medical devices at the National Cancer Center East Hospital came to light. A physician formerly employed by the hospital and the former president of medical device maker Zeon Medical were arrested for accepting cash in exchange for product adoption. While incidents of financial misconduct between the medical device industry and healthcare providers have been increasingly reported, the full extent of the money flow from medical device companies to the healthcare sector...
Politics

The Tangle of Politics: How Japan’s Constitutional Democratic Party Got Entwined with Communist Strategy

The Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP) has unwittingly fallen into a tactical ploy by the Japanese Communist Party (JCP), as they navigate the political fallout from mixed results in two recent by-elections. Intent on reconstructing a united opposition front to make up for their own failed expansion, the JCP has cleverly capitalized on the situation. On October 23, following the by-elections in Kochi-Tokushima and the House of Representatives’ Nagasaki 4th district, CDP leader Kenta Izumi, along with other party officials, approached various opposition parties seeking policy collaboration and strategizing to maximize opposition seats in the general election—an unusual move for the main opposition party. The JCP didn’t miss this opportunity. Soon...