David Pilling

What’s given Japan its mojo back

By David Pilling -

10 May

In all the excitement about Japan’s rediscovery of its long-lost mojo, one question has largely gone unasked. What made the country’s establishment change tack so suddenly?

For Taiwan, time to change gear

By Sarah Mishkin, David Pilling -

11 April

Taiwan is one of Asia’s great success stories. Its 23 million people have more purchasing power than the Japanese or the British, and its quality of life is among the highest in...

Abe’s right to take from old, give to young

By David Pilling -

22 March

One objection to “Abenomics”, the reflationary creed adopted by Japan’s new government, is that it will erode hard-earned savings. Instead of simply grabbing them over the...

Myanmar’s democratic transition in limbo

By David Pilling -

16 March

After 25 years of campaigning for free elections in Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy has at long last been able to hold some elections of its own. Last...

No better formula than mother’s milk

By David Pilling -

13 March

A few years back, Mr Shafiq Pontoh designed an advertising campaign for infant baby formula in Indonesia.

Scramble for Myanmar begins

By David Pilling -

04 February

In May, something curious will happen to the geography of China. The continental-sized country, whose supercharged development has been concentrated in cities on its eastern...