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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

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.

September 13, 2024

Japan’s Largest Warship JS Kaga Will Conduct F-35B Onboard Operation Tests off the California Coast

By Takahashi Kosuke

It’s a crucial step for Tokyo’s ambition to convert two Izumo-class vessels into fully-fledged aircraft carriers.

September 03, 2024

Japan Coast Guard Plans to Build Its Largest Patrol Vessel Ever

By Takahashi Kosuke

The new ship, an ultra-large multipurpose patrol vessel, will be around 200 meters long and will weigh about 30,000 tons.

August 30, 2024

Japan’s Defense Ministry Requests Largest Ever Budget for Fiscal Year 2025

By Takahashi Kosuke

It is almost certain that next year’s budget, when officially approved, will mark the 11th consecutive year of a record-high defense budget.

August 27, 2024

Japan Confirms First-Ever Airspace Intrusion by a Chinese Military Aircraft

By Takahashi Kosuke

A Y-9 intelligence-gathering aircraft was spotted flying above Japanese territorial waters – an unprecedented event.

August 22, 2024

Japan, India Agree to Enhance Security Cooperation at ‘2+2’

By Takahashi Kosuke

“Defense has emerged as important pillar in bilateral relations,” said Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.

August 09, 2024

Nagasaki’s Atomic Bomb Commemoration Overshadowed by Israel-Palestine Divisions

By Takahashi Kosuke

Ambassadors from Japan's G-7 partners skipped the event, decrying a perceived snub of Israel.

July 31, 2024

Japan Further Accelerates Military Integration With the US

By Takahashi Kosuke

As the alliance marks “one of the strongest improvements in 70 years,” there are concerns that this will position Japan as the front line in U.S. strategy to deter China.

July 26, 2024

JGSDF Plans to Build a Missile Firing Range on Japan’s Easternmost Island

By Takahashi Kosuke

This will be the first launch range for a missile with a firing range of over 100 kilometers in Japan.

July 12, 2024

Japan’s Defense White Paper Sounds Alarm Over China, North Korea, Russia

By Takahashi Kosuke

A situation similar to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine may occur in East Asia, Tokyo warns.