Gearoid Reidy リーディー・ガロウド

Japan Deserves Far Better Leadership Than This After weeks of speculation, Shigeru Ishiba is finally stepping down. Has the embattled ruling party learned its lesson?

The LDP was so desperate to restore popularity, they turned to a man they didn't fully understand. Shigeru Ishiba leaves the party, and the country, in a weaker spot than when he took over. The LDP must choose better this time. My latest, free to read:
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

Abe Made the Perfect WWII Declaration. It Should Stand. Japan cannot live in the shadow of past conflicts forever. If the embattled prime minister can’t recognize that, he should sit this one out.

Today is the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II -- and a decade since Shinzo Abe's landmark statement. It acknowledged the past, looked to the future, and blunted the use of history as a weapon. Ishiba should not undo it. My latest, free to read:
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

Hollywood Has Lost the Plot on Telling Stories More reboots of Superman and Fantastic Four show Western pop culture is struggling for new ideas. It should look to Asia for inspiration.

Between Superman, Fantastic Four and Jurassic Park, it's another summer of movie retreads. But in Japan, Demon Slayer, a property less than 10 years old, is crushing it at the box office. Hollywood needs to lay off the nostalgia and embrace risk. My latest:
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

Who Buys the F-150s, and More Japan Deal Mysteries Investors love the trade deal Tokyo struck with Trump. Now for the nagging details.

Markets loved the Japan-US trade deal -- but it leaves a lot of unanswered questions. And who's going to buy all those massive American cars that won't fit on Japanese roads might be the least of them. It's too early to relax just yet. My latest, free to read:

www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

‘Mr. Japan’ Bends the Knee — and Falls on His Sword Shigeru Ishiba’s trade deal with Donald Trump will be his last act as leader.

In the end, Shigeru Ishiba blinked. The trade deal is about as good as he could hope for. But it'll be his last major accomplishment as leader.

He'll leave Japan weaker than he found it - and should go now, before more damage is done. My latest, free to read:

www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

A Prophesied Disaster (Likely) Won’t Strike Japan This Weekend Though perhaps there’s no harm in being prepared?

A comic-book prophecy that warns of a massive tsunami has some in Japan bracing for disaster this weekend.

Don't worry -- it probably won’t happen. But someday, something will. My latest on why even false prophecies can sometimes be useful, free to read:
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

Is the Shine Coming Off the US-Japan ‘Golden Age’? Between tariffs and defense spending, ties aren’t what they used to be.

Less than six months ago, Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba heralded a new “golden age” of US-Japan ties. Now, as trade talk drag on and gaps open between the two on defense spending and Iran, that era is already tarnishing fast. My latest, free to read:

www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

Nintendo’s Secret for the Switch 2? Ignore the Extremely Online The internet gives consumers a voice they once didn’t have. But separating signal from noise is a challenge — just look at the Switch 2.

Gamers online denounced the Switch 2 as "anti-consumer." That didn't stop Nintendo from selling 3.5 million in four days.

Across business and politics, it’s vital to separate the signal of online outrage from the noise. My latest column, free to read:

www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

A Decade On, Has Japan’s Corporate Revolution Worked Too Well? M&A activity is frenetic in Tokyo thanks to reforms initiated in 2015. But be wary of going too far.

Ten years after Japan's corporate governance code was introduced, the country's boardrooms are forever changed. But with activists circling, M&A surging, and the best firms up for grabs, not everyone likes the changes. My latest, free to read:

www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

Japan’s National Sport Wrestles With a Generational Change As one legend departs, another star is rising. In a new era, sumo is grappling with its future.

Sumo, Japan's national sport, is grappling with a generational shift. As the greatest wrestler of all time departs the game, can a newly crowned hometown hero lead sumo into a new era?

My latest, free to read:

www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

‘Invasive Species’? Japan’s Growing Pains on Immigration A celebrity’s controversial remarks have thrust the subject of Japan’s small-but-growing foreign population into the spotlight.

A famous voice actress warns Japan’s identity is being eroded by immigrants, threatened by "invasive species." It's a sign that concern over newcomers is growing -- and an issue authorities must stay ahead of to avoid the mistakes of the West. My latest, free read:
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

How ‘Vintage’ Rice Is Shaking Up Japan’s Politics It’s not just the grocery bill. The fate of the government might rest on the surging price of the staple.

The soaring price of rice has toppled Japanese governments before. It could also be the making of a new leader.

Like his father before him, Shinjiro Koizumi can use a battle against a powerful vested interest to tell a story of broader reform. My latest, free:
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

For Toyota, More Akio Would Be a Good Thing The $33 billion buyout of Toyota Industries may be a power play by former Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda. If so, skeptical investors should welcome his involvement.

Akio Toyoda’s role in the $33 billion Toyota Industries buyout is up for debate. His leadership record isn’t. Despite the relentless hounding he gets from critics, investors should hand him the keys.

My latest, free to read:

www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

Stop the Steel! Japan’s Giving Too Much Away in This Deal Nippon Steel risks handcuffing itself giving Trump a golden share.

Stop the steel!

Determination got Nippon Steel this far in its audacious US Steel bid. But now it’s looking like desperation: a golden share, a US-run board, and $14 billion more in spending. The Japanese firm is giving away too much. My latest, free to read:

www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

It’s Too Easy for Foreigners to Buy Property in Japan Despite the stereotypes, Japan is one of the most permissive places for non-residents to buy property. That’s a problem when locals are being priced out.

Foreign buyers face zero barriers for property in Japan: no additional taxes, no limits, no residency needed.

With Tokyo apartment prices soaring and locals starting to get priced out, it's time for a rethink.

My latest, free to read:

www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

Greece Is (Not) the Word in Japan The situation in Tokyo bears no similarity to the euro-zone crisis era in Athens. The comparison drawn by Shigeru Ishiba is reckless and irresponsible.

Tell me more, tell me more... did he really say Greece?

Japan is up in arms about an ex-minister's comments about rice. But PM Ishiba's comparison of the country’s finances to Athens are just as ill-advised - and potentially far more damaging. My latest, free:
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

Don’t Reopen the ‘Demon Gate’ Debate in Japan Tokyo is mulling its consumption tax for the umpteenth time ahead of summer elections. Policymakers need some fresh ideas.

The “demon’s gate” is open again: Japan’s consumption tax debate is back.

In the past it has derailed governments and triggered recessions. Now it risks distracting from bigger concerns. Japan can't afford to relitigate this argument.

My latest, free to read:
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

Minecraft’s Success Shows the Future of Movies Is Games With the surprise hit of the year, Hollywood has learned how to make successful movies out of video games — just as interest in comic-book adaptations is fading.

Hollywood’s new blockbuster formula? Less spandex, more pixels

With Minecraft a hit and audiences tiring of superhero flicks, it's clear videogames can be the next big IP well with studios finally learning the key to successful adaptations. My latest, free to read:
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

Buffett’s Little Japan Handbook, and Other Lessons The legendary investor recently revealed what inspired his interest in Tokyo’s trading houses — and offered a host of tips for would-be followers.

Want to invest like Warren Buffett? Try Japan.

Buffett recently revealed not only what inspired him to buy Tokyo shares now worth $25 billion -- his largest overseas investment -- but also showed a view of Japan that's surprisingly bullish. My latest, free to read:
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

Bank of Japan Will Struggle to Justify Hikes After This With an unusually gloomy outlook for both the economy and inflation target, the central bank has just made it more difficult to keep raising rates.

The Bank of Japan painted a far gloomier picture of the economy and its chances of hitting the 2% inflation goal than anyone expected.

Combined with the risk from Trump's tariffs, that means the hurdle just got higher to lift rates again.

My latest, free to read:
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

Did I Fall Victim to Japan’s Stealth Productivity Killer? Hay fever isn’t just a nuisance, in Japan it causes serious economic damage. And the number of sufferers is only increasing.

It finally time for my hay fever debut?

That's how the onset of pollen allergies is often described in Tokyo, where it afflicts nearly 2 in every 3 people. I looked at the ailment that debilitates not just individuals, but the economy as a whole. Free to read!
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

If Japan Can’t Get a Good Trade Deal, Can Anyone? Talks between Tokyo and the Trump administration are about to get underway — and the world should be watching.

Japan's negotiators are headed to DC for trade talks, with the country the canary in the global tariff coal mine.

If Tokyo can’t secure a good deal, there's little hope for others. But can it find common ground with an antagonistic ally? My latest, free to read:

www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

Japan’s Second City Is Hosting a $66 Billion Coming-Out Party Osaka's hosting of the World Expo has faced a torrent of negativity. But it's a chance to showcase the city to the world.

After budget overruns, methane explosions and concerns over its many-eyed Lovecraftian mascot, Osaka's World Expo finally opens Sunday.

But history suggests it'll do just fine despite the negativity - and show a changing Osaka to the world. My latest, free link:
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

The Japan Tariff Myth That Just Won’t Die Why are Japanese streets empty of US cars? It’s no mystery — they're not good enough.

“They don’t take our cars, but we take MILLIONS of theirs!” Trump says to justify tariffs he's slapped on US ally Japan.

But it's just not true. US cars don't sell because of barriers to entry, but because Japan's drivers just don't want them. My latest, free read:
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

Nintendo's Switch 2 Reveal Had a Big Surprise: the Price Nintendo showed its trademark ability to delight with its console’s unveiling. But some of what it showed was a little head-scratching.

Nintendo’s Switch 2 presentation was bombshell after bombshell - a throwback to a more delightful age of tech announcement.

But it saved the biggest until last: the hefty price, a two-tier pricing structure in Japan and $80 games. My take, free to read:

www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

For a Brief Moment, Everything Was Ghibli A viral trend sparked by an OpenAI tool shows our longing for a simpler world.

For a moment, the internet was Ghibli.

ChatGPT's drawing tool turned everything into warm, hand-drawn nostalgia -- until it all turned cringe. My latest on what the viral trend says about art, tech, and the world we want to live in, free to read:
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

If the Switch 2 Stumbles, Nintendo Has No Plan B The Japanese gaming giant is about to release its latest console. The stakes have never been higher to end the boom-bust cycle that’s plagued the company for years.

On April 2, we expect to learn the crucial details of Switch 2 -- the launch date, price, and a first look at the all-crucial games. It's gonna be a big day for gamers and investors alike.

www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...

The Switch also benefited directly from the Wii U’s failure. By abandoning Wii U early, Nintendo was able to move or port games to Switch -- Mario Kart 8, Breath of the Wild, and other hits began on Wii U. Given Switch's success, it can’t easily play that card again.

With the Switch, Nintendo merged its console and handheld lines. That eased past software droughts and helped turn it into a bestseller. But this also meant putting all its eggs in one basket. Despite success in movies and theme parks, Nintendo is still reliant on consoles.

Because before the Switch, Nintendo had a more diversified platform line-up: consoles and handhelds, typically released in staggered phases. That meant if one machine didn’t set the world on fire, another could make up for it.