Blog

Tokyo Report

South Korea’s JoongAng Hires Japanese Reporter as Tokyo Correspondent 

South Korea’s JoongAng Hires Japanese Reporter as Tokyo Correspondent 

By Takahashi Kosuke
It’s the first time that any South Korean newspaper has ever employed a Japanese reporter as a staff writer.

North Korea Says Japan’s Prime Minister Offered to Meet With Leader Kim Jong Un Soon

North Korea Says Japan’s Prime Minister Offered to Meet With Leader Kim Jong Un Soon

By Hyung-jin Kim and Kim Tong-hyung
Japan acknowledged it has been trying to arrange a bilateral summit but dismissed North Korea’s preconditions for such a meeting as unacceptable.
Akira Toriyama and the True Source of Japanese Soft Power

Akira Toriyama and the True Source of Japanese Soft Power

By Tom Le
Effective cultural diplomacy ultimately rests on the shoulders of creatives and artists looking to tell a good story.

IAEA Chief Reassures Residents That Treated Wastewater Discharge at Fukushima Nuclear Plant Is Safe

IAEA Chief Reassures Residents That Treated Wastewater Discharge at Fukushima Nuclear Plant Is Safe

By Mari Yamaguchi
The discharges have been opposed by fishing groups and neighboring countries including China, which banned all imports of Japanese seafood immediately after the release began.

Japan’s Nuclear Energy Policy Disaster

Japan’s Nuclear Energy Policy Disaster

By Florentine Koppenborg
The yawning gap between vision and policy reality jeopardizes Japan’s important energy security goals and efforts to decarbonize the energy supply.

Japan’s Ruling Party Wants to Export Its Next-Generation Fighter. The Public Is Reluctant. 

Japan’s Ruling Party Wants to Export Its Next-Generation Fighter. The Public Is Reluctant. 

By Jio Kamata
The LDP's coalition partner is opposed to allowing exports of the co-produced fighters, citing public resistance to the idea.

Danger and Deterrence in Japan’s Security Environment

Danger and Deterrence in Japan’s Security Environment

By Marcos González Gava
“We must handle the hypothesis of an imminent threat as long as nuclear weapons exist.”
Where Others Dither, Japan Delivers on Aid to Ukraine

Where Others Dither, Japan Delivers on Aid to Ukraine

By James Kaizuka
Japan’s support for Ukraine demonstrates strong leadership and provides a glimmer of hope amid a divided and increasingly paralyzed Western alliance. 

Japan Bets on Carbon Capture and Storage Technology

Japan Bets on Carbon Capture and Storage Technology

By Daisuke Akimoto
CCS has stoked controversy elsewhere, but Japan is doubling down on the technology as a path to clean hydrogen and, eventually, net-zero emissions.

Can Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party Escape Factional Politics? 

Can Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party Escape Factional Politics? 

By Zhuoran Li
As long as the factions’ influence on personnel affairs continues, factionalism will not disappear within the LDP.

Kishida’s Struggle to Win Over Japan’s Conservatives 

Kishida’s Struggle to Win Over Japan’s Conservatives 

By Jio Kamata
Despite progress on key conservative priorities, the Japanese prime minister hasn’t been able to shake his liberal reputation.
After Leak, Safety Panel Urges Fukushima Nuclear Plant Operator to Communicate Better 

After Leak, Safety Panel Urges Fukushima Nuclear Plant Operator to Communicate Better 

By Mari Yamaguchi
Last week’s leak of highly radioactive water could have been prevented, experts said, urging TEPCO to “very quickly communicate to the public what happened and why.”

Page 1 of 121