Clashes in Beirut based on the economic crisis and political impasse in Lebanon Noriko Watanabe and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Several months ago the president of Lebanon, Michel Aoun, expressed the need to listen to protesters and the silent masses. This call by the president was based on the visible disillusionment of ordinary…
Photography of flowers in the early modern era of Japan Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Ogawa Kazumasa (1860-1929) was born during the final period of the Edo era in Japan. Hence, the modernizing dynamics that followed during the Meiji period that began in 1868 impacted greatly on Kazumasa. This includes learning photography techniques based…
Calls for U.S. Troop Withdrawal From Iraq Continue as al-Amiri Emerges as Leader of PMU Publication: Terrorism Monitor Volume: 18 Issue: 1 By: Rafid Jaboori The Jamestown Foundation The crisis in relations between the United States and Iraq’s Shia-led government has deepened over the last few weeks and especially after the killing of Iran’s top…
Art of Japan and reflecting on a different age Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Soga Shōhaku (1730-1781) went against the grain in the eighteenth century because he was greatly influenced by the Muromachi Period. This period, dated 1336 to 1573, but officially coming into existence in 1338, intrigued Shōhaku greatly. Therefore,…
Asia / China / Geopolitics
Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan is re-elected based on pro-independence and the Hong Kong effect Chika Mori and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Tsai Ing-wen was re-elected based on her opposition to China’s approach to Taiwan and Hong Kong respectively. Hence, the Hong Kong effect boosted her chances of winning the election and holding the…
Japan PM to visit Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates: US and Iran Chika Mori and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times In a sign that America and Iran are seeking to salvage something positive despite heightened tensions, the leader of Japan will go ahead with his regional visit to the Middle East.…
Canada fears the civilian plane carrying 176 people was downed by Iran Murad Makhmudov and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Canada increasingly fears that the civilian plane that crashed near Tehran may have been shot down accidentally. Suspicions in many quarters were immediately raised given the launching of missiles by Iran on the…
Japan seeks restraint from America and Iran before the planned Self Defense Force mission Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan seeks restraint from America and Iran over the ongoing crisis between both nations. This rupture increased after America killed Qassem Soleimani, the Quds…
Over 6,000 people perish from Measles in the Democratic Republic of Congo Chika Mori and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Various militias spread carnage and death in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Yet, a horrendous measles epidemic and the ravages of Ebola also blight this multi-ethnic nation. Therefore, the international community needs to…
Lebanon blighted by internal issues but Hezbollah threatens to embroil the nation for Iran Murad Makhmudov and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Enormous demonstrations have taken place in Lebanon because of mounting economic, political, and social problems. At the same time, political cronyism and the sectarian nature of politics is holding back the hope…
Black on Jewish Violence Marks the New New Anti-Semitism by Abigail R. Esman Special to IPT News Investigative Project on Terrorism On the Upper East Side, strangers talk to one another: on grocery lines, in restaurants, leaning over tables. “In New York!” they say. “I never would have imagined in New York.” They are talking…
Japanese art and Torii Kiyonaga (1752-1815) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese woodblock (ukiyo-e) artist Torii Kiyonaga was a very innovative artist who helped to enhance the prestige of the Torii School. Indeed, despite Kiyonaga not belonging to the Torii family, he still rose to the top and adopted this esteemed name. Kiyonaga…
Another brutal Sunni Islamist terrorist attack kills children on a bus in Burkina Faso Murad Makhmudov and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Another brutal Sunni Islamist terrorist attack in Burkina Faso killed children and adults on a bus. The brutality of terrorist attacks in this nation is extremely shocking. Thus, the latest roadside bomb…
Death toll from floods in Jakarta reaches 43 in the embattled capital of Indonesia Kanako Itamae and Chika Mori Modern Tokyo Times It is known that all least 43 people have perished in the environs of the capital of Indonesia from floods. Hence, the horrendous rain deluge that befell Jakarta is not only taking many…
US airstrike takes out Qassem Soleimani of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards in Iraq Ramazan Khalidov and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times President Donald Trump permitted to take out General Qassem Soleimani based on the recent escalation in Iraq. Of course, for Trump, and others in his administration opposed to the actions of Iran, then…
Austria Conservative and Green coalition: “To protect the climate and borders” – Visegrad nations Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Sebastian Kurz of Austria is an extremely dynamic politician. Thus, his announcement of a coalition with the Green Party will most likely see him returning to be the Chancellor of Austria. Therefore,…
Buddhism and poetry in Japan during the Nara Period Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Yamabe no Akahito belongs to the world of eighth-century Japan when Nara was the cradle of high culture in this nation. In truth, the jigsaw of his life is extremely difficult to piece together. Hence, his relationship with the…
North Korea leaves the US door open despite possible new nuclear tests: Japan is looking on Ri Kuk-Chol and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, is letting America know that unless genuine dialogue occurs, then new major military tests may take place. This relates to the possible resumption…
Arab League warns Turkey not to send terrorists to Libya: Sullying of NATO Nuray Lydia Oglu and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Arab League (AL) is nervous about the ambitions of Turkey in escalating an already fragile Libya. This relates to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey and his plan to enter…
Bush Fires in Australia are devastating nature, livelihoods, and killing people in its path Noriko Watanabe and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The devastating bush fires in parts of Australia are enormous in magnitude and this is resulting in the deaths of people caught up in its path. Hence, the crisis is overstretching emergency…
Planting the Seed: Ethnic Policy in Xi Jinping’s New Era of Cultural Nationalism By: James Leibold The Jamestown Foundation The recent leak of secret Chinese Communist Party (CCP) documents in Xinjiang provides irrefutable evidence of the CCP’s radical plan to fundamentally remake Xinjiang society and transform the thoughts and behaviour of its Muslim minorities (ICIJ,…
Tourism in Japan: Buddhist holy place and stunning mountain views Chika Mori and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The adorable landscape of this part of Chiba from the lovely ropeway is a treat in itself. Yet, while the views initially soak up the hidden energy of the tourist, this is soon replenished further by…
Sunni Islamists butcher at least 90 in Somalia after a brutal car bomb explodes Boutros Hussein and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Ordinary people were preparing for work during the rush hour period in the morning when Sunni Islamists decided to slaughter innocents in Somalia. It is known that at least 90 people perished…
Japanese art, culture, and ghost stories: The influence of Shinto Chika Mori and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The endless winds of modernization and technological innovation is relentless in Japan. Hence, the religious dynamics of old Japan is but a ghost of its former self, just like the erosion of Christian influence in nations…
Sunni Islamists butcher mainly women in a fresh massacre in Burkina Faso Murad Makhmudov and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The nation of Burkina Faso needs international support to contain the ravages of Sunni Islamic terrorism. In the latest massacre, a staggering 35 civilians were butchered – nearly all of them were women. It…
Egyptian Government Cracks Down on Radical Schools by Hany Ghoraba Special to IPT News Investigative Project on Terrorism Despite the destruction of the Muslim Brotherhood’s hierarchy by Egyptian authorities after the June 2013 revolution, the 91-year-old group remains influential in Egyptian society. This is especially true in its education system. But there are signs the…
The brief fleeting flower of the Japanese artist Shigeru Aoki Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Shigeru Aoki (1882-1911) blossomed quickly but family problems and then tuberculosis would soon take him from this world. Hence, the promising artistic flower of Aoki parted before even reaching 29. This sad reality means that nobody…
Germany, the EU, and Russia condemn US sanctions over Nord Stream 2 Noriko Watanabe and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Germany, the European Union (EU), and the Russian Federation have all condemned America after the White House issued sanctions on companies dealing with Nord Stream 2. Once more, the United States under President Donald…
Hizb ul-Ahrar: Pakistan’s Cross-border Taliban Problem Remains Critical Publication: Terrorism Monitor By: Animesh Roul The Jamestown Foundation Following a notable lull in militant activity, Pakistan is now facing a unique militant escalation targeted against its security forces in the North Waziristan area and bordering regions. Despite the Taliban force largely being subdued following the concerted…
Myanmar is a distortion for Islamic and Western nations to hide their crimes: CHT, ICJ, and OIC Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Myanmar is seeking to stabilize the democratic path despite countless ethnic issues that beset this nation, the result of decades of authoritarian rule. At the same time, endless negative…
Contemporary Japanese art and the mirage of time in the bleak midwinter Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Sawako Utsumi hails from northern Japan and in her latest landscape, you can depict the partial influence of Suzuki Kiitsu (1796-1858). Yet, unlike Kiitsu who focused on rinpa art, the latest stunning art piece by Utsumi is…
Conservative Party in crushing UK Election victory on the demise of the Labour Party Chika Mori and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Boris Johnson became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK) in earnest after the Conservative Party coasted to victory. Prior to this, Johnson was the Prime Minister only in name. However,…
Japan to Sweden and the Sterilization of the “unworthy” Chika Mori and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan acknowledged the brutality of forced sterilizations that inflicted vast numbers of people between 1948 and 1996. Hence, compensation will now be given to victims who suffered greatly from the deeds of…
London Terror Attack Exposes Deradicalization Programs’ Failures by Patrick Dunleavy IPT News Investigative Project on Terrorism Usman Khan, the unrepentant British jihadist who was on supervised early release from prison when he killed two people and wounded several others Nov. 29 near London Bridge, is just the tip of an iceberg that threatens western democracies.…
Japan and the new 1984 of corporate finance that suits the state apparatus Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The privacy of information is endlessly being crushed just like freedom on social media. George Orwell in 1949 published a powerful book titled Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984). Sadly, the ramifications of his words are…
Japanese Art and Poetry: Typhoons and earthquakes take asunder to this cold earth Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times In a flash, all love that was embraced was over The beauty of the child, the lady, the male, the grandparents, all gone No time to say goodbye or to protect The chanting Buddha, the…
France points the finger at Turkey for allying with ISIS during NATO talks Noriko Watanabe and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times President Emmanuel Macron of France didn’t mince his words in relation to Turkey and its tacit support of working with ISIS (Islamic State – IS) proxies. This is far from the ideal of…
