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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

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.”

September 29, 2023

What’s Keeping the USS Ronald Reagan in Yokosuka?

By Takahashi Kosuke

The U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier has missed a scheduled departure date for the seventh time in a row. What’s going on?

September 16, 2023

3 Takeaways From the North Korea-Russia Summit

By Takahashi Kosuke

Russia-North Korea military ties have grown closer since the start of the Ukraine War.

September 13, 2023

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Reshuffles Cabinet Amid Sluggish Support Rates

By Takahashi Kosuke

Japan has new ministers of defense and foreign affairs as Kishida looks to shore up public support and head off potential challengers from within the LDP.

September 08, 2023

Japan’s Defense Ministry Plans to Launch Permanent Joint Headquarters in March 2025

By Takahashi Kosuke

The new HQ will oversee all three services – the Ground, Maritime and Air Self-Defense Forces – to ensure effective joint operations.

August 31, 2023

Japan’s Defense Ministry Requests Largest Ever Budget for Fiscal Year 2024

By Takahashi Kosuke

Japan's defense build-up, including pursuit of a counter-strike capability, continues to require record-setting funds.

August 24, 2023

North Korea Fails to Launch Reconnaissance Satellite on 2nd Try

By Takahashi Kosuke

It was the second failed launch in three months, but Pyongyang has vowed to try a third time in October.

August 10, 2023

Former Japan PM’s ‘Resolve to Fight’ Remark Over Taiwan Causes Ripples at Home and Abroad

By Takahashi Kosuke

Aso Taro, currently the VP of Japan’s ruling party, stoked controversy by calling for Japan to show “strong deterrence” at a forum in Taipei.

August 02, 2023

China and UAE to Conduct First Joint Fighter Jet Drill in August

By Takahashi Kosuke

The move can be seen not only as another attempt by Beijing to drive a wedge between the U.S. and Middle East, but also as a countermeasure against Tokyo.