There is never a good time for Japan’s leader to visit the Yasukuni shrine, a controversial memorial to Japan’s war dead. For Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to have gone last week is especially inflammatory. Ever since 14 war criminals were “enshrined” at Yasukuni in 1978, visits by Japanese officials have rightly infuriated Japan’s neighbors, who suffered brutal occupation during World War II. That’s why Japanese emperors have not set foot in the Tokyo shrine ever since, and why Abe did not go durin

South Korea’s monthly exports crossed the $50 billion mark for the first time in October. Solid demand from the developed world was what drove the country’s performance. Korea has also run a current account surplus for 19 straight months. The country’s foreign-exchange reserves increased to $343.2 billion in October, pushing it into seventh place globally. The recovery in Korea’s economy is looking more stable, and Korea should be commended for this. Such a brilliant achievement, however, may no

It’s that time of year when journalists let their creativity run rampant to produce 10-Best and 10-Worst lists, revisit the year’s biggest whoppers (look no further than the Oval Office), and offer prognostications for the coming year. With that in mind, I’ve gleaned the five most important lessons from 2013, which are all but guaranteed to be forgotten next year.No. 1. Beware political pronouncements posing as economic forecasts.Before, during and after the federal government shutdown in Octobe

By the looks of it, U.S. President Barack Obama may be close to joining the French in taking on the Chinese ― in Africa.According to my sources in the French government, Obama made it clear to both British and French leadership at the onset of his presidency that he was going to leave it to them to protect unstable African countries while he focused on Sino-American relations. Perhaps Obama realizes that Africa is just an extension of China’s backyard.In a letter to Congress, Obama wrote, “I may

As India prepares for national elections in May, what is being called the “Modi wave” seems almost unstoppable. Since naming Narendra Modi ― the controversial chief minister of the state of Gujarat ― as its prime ministerial candidate, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party has consistently topped opinion polls. Modi’s BJP decimated the ruling Congress Party in recent state elections ― a harbinger, many now believe, of the national outcome.Before they start measuring drapes in Delhi ministries, h

NEW DELHI ― The news that the Mars orbiter spacecraft Mangalyaan, launched by India on Nov. 5, has left the Earth’s orbit, traversed the moon, and is on course for its ultimate destination, 400 million kilometers away, brought early holiday cheer to Indians. Space missions have become a matter of pride for India, which is already one of the top countries in terms of rocket and satellite technology.Mangalyaan, India’s first inter-planetary satellite, was purpose-built for the Mars mission ― and i

The anti-government protesters want better democracy, not less democracy. Hence they are calling for an overhaul of the political system that will put an end to widespread corruption. Failure to force reforms will leave the country in the grip of its vicious cycle of money politics, abuse of power by elected representatives and corruption in high government. Meanwhile, the next election will only see a bigger flood of money used to retain political control.The importance of elections in a democr

It’s only when the tide goes out, as Warren Buffett famously said, that you learn who’s been swimming naked. Well, 2013 has been a banner year for skinny-dipping among Asian leaders, central banks and business people.In Japan and South Korea, talk of epochal change from two newish leaders was shown to be empty. China’s supposedly peaceful rise was laid bare by aggressive actions. Hopes that Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would rediscover his reformist roots proved barren. Supposedly omnipo

Barack Obama calls education “the currency for the information age.” Education is, however, based on the genesis of ideas and their expression. In his book “Ideas and Opinions,” Albert Einstein wrote about the importance of opinions and formation of ideas in any scientific discipline. What is an “idea”? It is knowledge, a brainwave or some new germane thinking giving birth to some potential discoveries or inventions. In the discipline of economics, the importance of ideas is not new. Schumpeter

A federal judge last week struck down part of Utah’s ban on polygamy ― the state can no longer prosecute adult men and women who “cohabitate” in numbers larger than the traditional pair. Critics suggested the ruling was a natural next step after the success of same-sex marriage campaigns and lawsuits in recent years.But Kody Brown, the fundamentalist Mormon “Sister Wives” star whose case sparked the ruling, proclaimed it a victory for religious freedom.Is polygamy inevitable? Are we headed down