Blog
Tokyo Report
Blue-ribbon Panel Urges Japan to Develop Counterstrike Capabilities
By Takahashi Kosuke
The Japanese defense ministry estimates that Tokyo will need to spend 48 trillion yen on defense over the next five years if it wants to achieve its security goals.
Japan’s Historic Yen Depreciation
By Daisuke Akimoto
Japan is concerned about the weak yen, but its policy options for responding are limited as a global recession looms.
The Limits of Kishida’s China Outreach
By Mina Pollmann
The Japanese prime minister held his first in-person meeting with China’s Xi Jinping, but he faces tight limits in how far he can push the relationship.
Germany Solidifies Ties With Japan Before Scholz’s China Trip
By Mina Pollmann
Germany's president visited Japan just a few days before a Japan-Germany 2+2.
Japan’s Changing Nuclear Energy Policy
By SUZUKI Tatsujiro
Under the government of Kishida Fumio, Japan has sharply changed its thinking on nuclear power.
Japan PM Promises Law to Help Unification Church Victims
By Mari Yamaguchi
Kishida is attempting to calm public outrage over his handling of his party's extensive ties to the Unification Church.
Germany’s Quietly Growing Relations With Japan
By Weijing Xing
While the whole world is talking about Chancellor Scholz’s controversial visit to China, Germany’s ties with Japan are growing quietly but significantly.
Japan’s Ruling Government in Crisis Over Unification Church Scandals
By Thisanka Siripala
Japan’s governing party is struggling to quell public suspicion over party members’ ties with the controversial Unification Church.
The Japan-North Korea Summit: 20 Years On
By ISOZAKI Atsuhito
New testimonies are emerging about the historic meeting.
What’s New in Australia and Japan’s Updated Joint Declaration of Security Cooperation?
By David Walton and Daisuke Akimoto
The document is a testament to the closer bilateral security relationship that has developed since the original declaration in 2007.
Japan’s Ruling Coalition Debates Future Defense Policies
By Mina Pollmann
The LDP and its junior coalition party, Komeito, are at odds over issues like Japan's counterstrike capability and defense budget increases.
Without Abe, Japan’s Conservatives Are at a Crossroads
By Jio Kamata
Throughout his political career, former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo was at the center of Japanese conservative politics. With him gone, how will the conservative movement go forward?