Showing 1 - 10 of 10
Is Takaichi Sanae the 'Iron Lady' of Japan?
Oped, Koichi Hamada, Published on 10/11/2025
» For the first time in its history, Japan's parliament has selected a woman, Takaichi Sanae of the Liberal Democratic Party, to be prime minister. In this sense, Ms Takaichi has already followed in the footsteps of her political idol, Margaret Thatcher -- the UK's first female PM. But whether she is remembered as Japan's own "Iron Lady" will depend on her ability to manage three key challenges: inflation, low female labour-force participation and a fraught geopolitical environment.
How to try and negotiate with Donald Trump
Oped, Koichi Hamada, Published on 16/07/2025
» Since Donald Trump returned to the White House in January, it has been virtually impossible to keep up with all the extreme measures, incendiary rhetoric, personnel changes, policy reversals, and breaches of rules and norms, from intelligence leaks to defiance of court orders. That is by design: like European fascists in the twentieth century, Mr Trump knows that it is far easier to manipulate and suppress an overwhelmed, divided, and disoriented public than an informed, engaged, and assured one.
How nations can counter Trump's trade trickery
Oped, Koichi Hamada, Published on 10/05/2025
» Much has been written about US President Donald Trump's disastrous "reciprocal" tariffs, which, despite having remained in effect for less than 24 hours, roiled the stock market, drove up Treasury yields, and caused the dollar to depreciate. In fact, the tariffs that have so badly undermined markets' faith in the US were never reciprocal at all: they were entirely unilateral actions betraying a fundamental misunderstanding of economics.
Trump's tariffs will end in tears all round
News, Koichi Hamada, Published on 24/03/2025
» If US President Donald Trump is skilled at anything, it is demagoguery. By stoking voters' fears and prejudices, he manages to win support for, or distract from, extreme policies that benefit himself, his family, and his (mostly ultra-rich) cronies, and cause serious harm to virtually everyone else. The key to his success is knowing which buttons to push.
Remembering Shinzo Abe, the real liberal
Oped, Koichi Hamada, Published on 09/09/2022
» At former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's funeral in July, the streets were lined with people carrying flowers. His state funeral -- expected to be attended by world leaders -- will be held this Sept 27 in Tokyo.
Is Taiwan going to be the next Ukraine?
Oped, Koichi Hamada, Published on 09/07/2022
» Russia's brutal war on Ukraine is, most observers agree, an assault on democracy, sovereignty and human rights. For the United States and its Nato allies, the Kremlin's aggression demands a powerful response, including unprecedented economic sanctions against Russia and huge amounts of military aid to Ukraine.
What will Japan's Fumio Kishida do?
Oped, Koichi Hamada, Published on 12/11/2021
» A month after becoming Japan's 100th prime minister, Fumio Kishida has another reason to celebrate. On Wednesday, he was re-elected as Japan's prime minister by parliament after the ruling coalition won the general election last month. The question now is how will he use this impressive result, and what his leadership will mean for Japan.
The fiscal fight against Covid-19
News, Koichi Hamada, Published on 05/03/2020
» As the new Covid-19 coronavirus continues to spread rapidly outside China, medical professionals and policymakers around the world are fighting to contain the outbreak. But what role can or should governments play in this situation -- or, for that matter, when natural disasters strike?
Who benefits from Trump's trade war?
Asia focus, Koichi Hamada, Published on 14/01/2019
» In 1950, the Canadian-born Princeton University economist Jacob Viner explained a customs union produces a "trade creation" effect, as lower tariffs and non-tariff barriers spur increased flows of goods among member countries.
Why we really need globalisation
News, Koichi Hamada, Published on 02/05/2018
» From the Brexit vote to Donald Trump's election as US president to rising support for populist parties in countries like Germany and Italy, much of the electoral upheaval in Western democracies in recent years has been attributed at least partly to a backlash against globalisation. But globalisation does not deserve voters' ire.