A tragic incident at a rock concert in Moscow, warnings from Americans ignored, Kremlin linking it to Ukraine. Japanese men's hotline for anxiety highlights societal issue. America's obsession with big trucks facing environmental challenges.
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Quick takeaways
Men in Japan struggle with societal expectations and identity crises, leading to high suicide rates.
American car regulations incentivized large vehicle production, but upcoming regulations may shift focus to electric vehicles.
Deep dives
Identity Crisis Among Japanese Men
In Japan, traditional gender roles are slowly evolving, yet the societal expectation for men to fulfill the breadwinner role still persists. This has led to considerable identity crises among Japanese men, struggling with changing societal norms, work pressures, and expressing vulnerabilities. Men's reluctance to take on parental leave and share household chores highlights the deep-rooted gender role challenges, contributing to high suicide rates, particularly among men.
Loophole in American Car Regulations
Historically, American car regulations incentivized the production of large vehicles through a loophole known as 'light trucks,' exempting fuel efficiency standards for such vehicles. This loophole disproportionately promoted the marketing and sales of SUVs and pickup trucks, contributing to the prevalent large vehicle trend in the American automobile market. However, upcoming regulations aim to close this loophole and tighten efficiency standards, potentially shifting the focus towards more electric vehicle production.
Implications of Intelligence Failure in Russia
An intelligence failure in Russia's recent tragic rock concert attack has exposed significant vulnerabilities and inefficiencies in the country's security and response mechanisms. The delayed acknowledgment and strategic omissions by President Vladimir Putin, coupled with misplaced attributions of the attack to Ukraine, underscore the serious implications of the intelligence blunder. The aftermath of the attack may lead to heightened repression, potential mobilization, and geopolitical ramifications, showcasing the severe impact of such failures on leadership credibility and national security.
Warnings from the Americans went unheeded, police took too long to respond, and now the Kremlin has found a way to link it to Ukraine. Could this tragedy be used to Vladamir Putin’s advantage? A hotline for Japanese men to discuss their anxieties is an unfortunate indicator of a wider social problem (09:48). And why America’s love for big trucks is hitting a dead end (17:15).
For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, try a free 30-day digital subscription by going to www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer
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