Series
A Chilly Washington Reception for Hatoyama Diplomacy
The historic change of government that took place last September, after the Democratic Party of Japan defeated the long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party in Japan’s general election, attracted considerable attention in the United States.
Read More …Birth of the DPJ-Led Hatoyama Administration and the Indian Subcontinent
On August 12, 2009, the Hindu carried an article titled "Japan tries to loosen the US leash" in its editorial section. This was the first article to appear in the Indian press forecasting the outcome of the general election that would take place in Japan on August 31.
Read More …Russia’s Energy Resources and East Asian Security
Russia is rich in energy resources, especially in natural gas, and it is increasingly leveraging such assets into diplomatic clout. This has been more pronounced in Europe than in Asia, but with new LNG development projects, Russia’s importance in meeting Asia’s energy needs will rise, especially as cooperation in nuclear energy advances.
Read More …China Sizes Up the New Administration
How have the Chinese greeted Japan's new DPJ government? With open arms, if we can take the official rhetoric at face value. But closer examination reveals a telling gap between Bejing's rosy assessment and the attitudes of ordinary citizens.
Read More …2. Capitalism: A System Based on Speculation
What is speculation? In general terms, it means to conjecture without firm evidence, and in particular refers to the act of buying things, not for any return or utility arising from their use, but for the prospective gains to be had by selling them on to other people in the future. 1
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