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Takahashi Kosuke

Takahashi Kosuke is Tokyo Correspondent for The Diplomat.

Takahashi Kosuke is former Tokyo Correspondent for Janes Defence Weekly and former editor-in-chief of HuffPost Japan. He also was a former staff writer at The Asahi Shimbun and Bloomberg.

Takahashi graduated from Keio University with a B.A. in economics in 1993. After working for The Asahi Shimbun and Dow Jones, he studied at Columbia University’s Journalism School and School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), and graduated with Master of Science in Journalism and Master of International Affairs in 2004. Prior to joining the Asahi as a reporter in 1993, he worked for Baltimore Economic Development Corporation as an exchange trainee to a sister city program of Kawasaki City, and researched trade issues between the United States and Japan. He was awarded an Honorary citizenship of Baltimore for his work in 1988.

Posts by Takahashi Kosuke

January 07, 2025

Japan Aims to Make Sasebo a Strong Foothold for Amphibious Operations for the Self-Defense Forces

By Takahashi Kosuke

Japan aims to bolster capabilities to defend and recapture remote islands, especially in its southwestern Nansei island chain.

January 02, 2025

China Sets Record for Activity Near Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in 2024

By Takahashi Kosuke

The China Coast Guard (CCG) is sending its larger and heavily armed ships near the disputed islands.

December 27, 2024

Japan Approves 9.4 Percent Increase in Defense Spending for FY2025

By Takahashi Kosuke

For the 11th year in a row, the budget draft set a new record for national defense spending as Japan continues to pursue its Defense Buildup Program.

December 19, 2024

Japan’s MHI Launches 10th Mogami-Class Multirole Frigate for JMSDF

By Takahashi Kosuke

Tokyo is rapidly acquiring missile-laden combat frigates to counter China and Russia in the East China Sea and the broader Indo-Pacific theater.

December 06, 2024

Yoon’s Martial Law Declaration Puts Japan-South Korea Relations in Jeopardy

By Takahashi Kosuke

The political chaos in Seoul is casting dark clouds over not only Japan-South Korea relations but also Japan-South Korea-U.S. trilateral security cooperation.

November 29, 2024

Japan, Germany Listed as Finalists for Royal Australian Navy’s Future Frigates

By Takahashi Kosuke

Will Australia strategically choose Tokyo to strengthen bilateral cooperation? Or will it opt for a German-designed frigate that is familiar to the Royal Australian Navy?

November 15, 2024

The Tyranny of Distance: What Trump Needs to Know About the Japan-US Alliance

By Takahashi Kosuke

Accusations that Japan is free-riding on U.S. security guarantees overlook the immense strategic and geographical value of U.S. military bases in Japan, including Okinawa and Yokosuka.

November 05, 2024

Japan Awards MHI $368 Million Contract for Development of the Glide Phase Interceptor

By Takahashi Kosuke

Japan and the United States are planning to complete development of the next-generation missile defense system by the 2030s.

November 01, 2024

What’s Driving North Korea’s Unstoppable Military Buildup?

By Takahashi Kosuke

Facing a security dilemma, the Indo-Pacific region needs dialogue and de-escalation, not further confrontation and escalating tensions.

October 11, 2024

US Marine Corps Deploys a New Unmanned Semi-submersible Vessel on Okinawa, Japan

By Takahashi Kosuke

The Autonomous Low-Profile Vessel (ALPV), a new unmanned supply vessel under development, was deployed at the U.S. military’s Naha Port Facility.

September 30, 2024

3 Things to Know About Japan’s New Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru

By Takahashi Kosuke

The election of late Prime Minister Abe Shinzo’s long-time rival marks the end of an era in the LDP.

September 26, 2024

In Historic First, Japan Sends Naval Ship Through the Taiwan Strait

By Takahashi Kosuke

With the unprecedented move this time, Japan now joined the other Western countries engaging in freedom-of-navigation exercises in the Taiwan Strait.