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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

December 29, 2023

Japan Eases Rules on Lethal Weapon Exports

By Takahashi Kosuke

Tokyo will face three major challenges to implement the policy change.

December 22, 2023

Japan Approves 16.5% Increase in Defense Spending for FY2024

By Takahashi Kosuke

For the tenth 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 14, 2023

Japan-Italy-UK Joint Fighter Program Takes a Step Forward With New Treaty

By Takahashi Kosuke

Japan, Britain, and Italy agreed to establish a joint organization to develop a new sixth-generation fighter jet.

December 09, 2023

Is the Osprey Safe?

By Takahashi Kosuke

The latest fatal crash off Japan has resurrected worries regarding the aircraft’s track record.

November 30, 2023

1 Dead, 7 Missing After US Military Osprey Aircraft Crashes off SW Japan

By Takahashi Kosuke

Japan requested U.S. Forces Japan ground Osprey transport aircraft, and the JGSDF grounded its own Ospreys amid U.S. Air Force safety concerns.

November 23, 2023

MHI Is Riding the Wave of Japan’s Boom in Defense Spending

By Takahashi Kosuke

Japan’s biggest defense firm expects annual sales from its defense business to double by FY2026.

November 14, 2023

A Message to Kim Jong Un From Mother of Japanese Girl Abducted by North Korea in 1977

By Takahashi Kosuke

The mother of Yokota Megumi, the most famous of the Japanese civilians abducted by North Korea, continues to push for her daughter's return.

November 08, 2023

With Joint Fighter on the Horizon, Japan, UK Agree to Further Strengthen Bilateral Defense Ties

By Takahashi Kosuke

The two nations plus Italy aim to sign the Global Combat Air Program treaty by the end of 2023.

November 03, 2023

Japan, Philippines Agree to Intensify Defense Cooperation

By Takahashi Kosuke

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida's visit to Manila saw the continued expansion of Japan-Philippines military cooperation.

October 27, 2023

Japan’s Catch-22 Situation Over the Israel-Hamas War

By Takahashi Kosuke

Tokyo is caught between a diplomatic rock and an economic hard place.

October 11, 2023

US Air Force Will Relocate MQ-9 Reaper Squadron to Okinawa

By Takahashi Kosuke

The drones will move to Kadena Air Base, part of a broader buildup of forces on Japan’s southwestern Nansei island chain.

October 06, 2023

Japan Will Get Its Tomahawk Missiles a Year Early

By Takahashi Kosuke

Japan’s defense minister said Tokyo would accelerate the purchase of the stand-off cruise missiles “in light of the increasingly severe security environment.”