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.
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.
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.
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.
It may take a Chinese invasion of Taiwan before the world finds out if the U.S. will defend the island.
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.
If Japanese firms opt to resume a traditional work routine — with its long hours, exhausting commutes and minimal vacations — both people and the economy will suffer.
The rigid stances of MMT’s devotees and detractors have not led to productive discussions over its viability.
The questions now are how Kishida will use this impressive election result and what will his leadership mean for Japan?
The challenge now is to devise a recovery strategy that recognizes the implications of today’s global economic interdependence.
