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4/23 Issue

2014/ 04/ 23 by jd in IRCWeekly

With President Obama’s visit approaching, Asia was much in the news. The New York Times suggested the President should use the chance to clarify that America’s strategic tilt will not make Asia its only priority, but rather a top priority. Other parts of the world will continue to demand attention.

The Financial Times observes that the security alliance between Japan and the U.S. has provided the “bedrock of Asian security.” With the alliance showing signs of strain, his trip to Japan “could help determine” its future.

The Wall Street Journal notes that Japan has surpassed the rest of the world in aging, with over a quarter of its population now over 65. At 21%, however, Germany and Italy, are not so far behind.

Countries throughout ASEAN look much more resilient today, having taken the lessons of the late 1990s crisis to heart. Investor confidence in the region shows and Institutional Investor observes that over 42% of Japan’s foreign direct investment (FDI) is now in Southeast Asia, surpassing even China’s footprint in the region.

While the financial system throughout the ASEAN region appears much more stable, Euromoney notes that continuing massive investment in infrastructure will be needed. Based on estimates from the Asian Development Bank, necessary investment could total $60 billion annually through 2020.

Not only in Asia, but around the world, coal will remain a fuel of choice. Despite its drawbacks, the Economist asserts that dirty coal will regrettably “be the fuel of the future.”

And despite tilt to Asia, Russia and Ukraine did not escape notice. The Washington Post points out that the Russians instigating invasion and insurrection are “entirely flexible” in the short-term though their eye is firmly fixed on annexing eastern and southern Ukraine in the long term.

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Links are provided to the original source so you can get further detail, but please note these are frequently updated and links that were valid at publication may later be broken. To see the media’s takes on these and other developments from around the globe, you can browse Global News highlights below and also at http://www.irken.jp/gn/.

 

Financial Times (April 22)

2014/ 04/ 23 by jd in Global News

“The US-Japan relationship has been the bedrock of Asian security but some see it as the remnant of a bygone era.” President Obama’s state visit to Japan comes at a “pivotal time” and could help determine the future of the alliance.

 

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