Brave, Grave New World

"Brave, Grave New World," authored by Yoichi Funabashi, the former editor in chief of The Asahi Shimbun, Japan's leading daily newspaper, is a collection of his interviews with strategic thinkers from around the world. Their discussions focus on such critical issues as the rise of China and its implications on the international community and the future of globalization. Those interviewed note that the removal of national borders has provided bountiful opportunities for many people but at the same time has increased the risk of such ominous global threats as financial crises, terrorism, nuclear proliferation and pandemics. The future of Japan, now struggling to retain its prominence in the world, is another key topic. The interviewees include: Wang Jisi, an acclaimed Chinese scholar of international politics; Robert Kaplan, an American journalist; Lee Kuan Yew, minister mentor of Singapore; Mathew Burrows, counselor to the U.S. National Intelligence Council; and Lawrence Summers, national economic council director of the U.S. government. Each interview was carried in the vernacular Asahi Shimbun and the English edition of the daily.