Faced with dilemmas over creating disaster-ready infrastructure, care for an ageing population and the use of nuclear power, Tokyo’s governor has progressive plans to take the city to the 2020 Olympic Games and beyond.

Navigating ‘Boat Finland’ through troubled waters and a forthcoming election next April are top of the agenda for the leader of a country increasingly having to keep an eye on noisy neighbour Russia.

Amid the many challenges facing Turkey’s economy – geopolitical tension, corruption and the urgent need for infrastructure spend – the country’s cool-headed finance minister remains ebullient.

Croatia is a young nation still experiencing some of the growing pains of a multicultural society learning to get along. At the centre of much of its recent social progress has been productive politician and academic Vesna Pusic.

The rise and rise of a new opposition leader in Spain has given voters an alternative voice to engage with. His clear strategies and bold vision for the future may yet win them over.

Military action tends to have a more visceral impact when it comes to forcing through change but it is the subtle influence of soft power that drives the most meaningful resolutions. In our fifth annual survey we gauge the soft-power strengths of our top-ranking nations and ask if the West has a monopoly on playing soft.

Inside the European Space Agency complex on the Dutch coast, engineers and scientists are wrestling with big ideas. But for them, where we come from and whether we are alone are not philosophical questions: they are the motivation for scientific adventure.

A global master in shoe manufacturing, France has weathered the industry’s decline with its artisans taking centre stage once more. We introduce our favourite sole bearers.

Distilling the influences of its unique East-meets-West location has been a blessing for Turkish perfumer Atelier Rebul, whose blend of old-world glamour and forward-thinking management is proving an alluring combination.

Alaska may be stuck all the way up there but people around the world know full well what its brand values are – all thanks to the soft power of fish.

News network France 24 is a broadcaster working across three languages in order to deliver a nuanced French view of global affairs. With its ever-increasing reach, it’s a channel catching the little details that competitors have lost in translation.

Artistically minded and musically rich, online music station Radiooooo is a charming alternative to the corporate Spotifys of this world. Monocle visits its studios to discover how the creators get their groove on.

As the northern hemisphere braces itself for a chilly winter, much of the art world will be gathering in sunny Miami Beach for Art Basel’s annual Florida outing. Monocle takes an advance tour.

Danish avant-rockers Efterklang have turned an unloved eastern corner of the German capital into a studio space fit for writing records.

To keep up with demand for its selection of Nordic lighting and furniture, &Tradition has developed a unique showcasing space. Housed in a 100-year-old warehouse, a village-style layout of cube rooms is home to inspiring designers.

The launch of a new concept shop in Tokyo ticks many boxes: an impeccable edit, high-end food offerings and striking warehouse space. Yet it is the addition of a dedicated book corner that has proved a real winner.

Angela Merkel’s to-do list, Hamburg’s meaty resurgence and the UK’s forthcoming general elections.

Martin O'Malley's design on the White House, Mexico's sea change and Argentina's year ahead.

Elections to keep an eye on in Burma, Thailand and Japan, plus China’s ongoing strife in the South China Sea.

New Zealand PM John Key’s third term, problems in Perth and high flying in Papua New Guinea.

Testing times in East Africa, economic elation in West Africa and everything in between.

Animated planning in China, a caffeine hit in Indonesia and material gains in Italy.

The man behind Japan Airlines’ incredible turnaround discusses his graduation from pilot to president, attracting new trade and taking on the low-cost carriers.

Owning a gallery or three demands an unwavering eye on art’s horizon while honing a familiar and welcoming touch with the artists, collectors and fairs that make the industry tick. New Yorker (via Köln) David Zwirner is a master of making it all hang together.

Outspoken, in demand and still at the top of his game, fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld holds court on the industry, the media, lesbians and why Berlin isn’t as good as it used to be.

This Paris pied-à-terre is not just a modernist space-saving marvel, it has Le Corbusier’s blessing to boot. Monocle takes in its fold-out ingenuity and primary-coloured delights.

We drop anchor in the portside city for gifts ranging from homeware to diamonds.

We’ve sought out a few timeless (and functional) finds to kick-start the new year for your friends and family. Upgrade everything from garden to office and wrap up some toolbox essentials – not to mention a few pantry treats.

Artist Gregory Crewdson’s studied compositions of American life are famed for their intricacy. But for his last meal the photographer opts for comfort and charm.

The Melbourne School of Design is rethinking how we approach the visual world around us as well as its own teaching space. Monocle visits the school’s new building to learn why it is going back to the drawing board in order to inspire fresh design talent.

Watching the design of our new Singapore outpost unfold has been as exciting as the prospect of Christmas itself. And there’s plenty more to come from Team Monocle in 2015, says editor in chief Tyler Brûlé.