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Thisanka Siripala

Thisanka Siripala

Thisanka Siripala is an Australian-Sri Lankan cross platform journalist living in Tokyo.

Thisanka Siripala is an Australian-Sri Lankan cross platform journalist living in Tokyo. She specializes in Asia-Pacific news and current affairs while predominantly covering Japan and North Asia-related politics, business, and socio-economic shifts. She is an honors graduate from The University of Melbourne with a degree in International Relations, Media Studies, and Japanese language.

Posts by Thisanka Siripala
February 06, 2024

Japan’s Governing Party Is Engulfed by a Slush Fund Scandal. Will It Spur Political Reform?

By Thisanka Siripala
The government is facing intense pressure over fears of widespread corruption and financial misconduct.

January 29, 2024

Japan’s First Moon Rover Resumes Operations After Landing Upside Down

By Thisanka Siripala
After technical setbacks, Japan has reestablished communication with the dormant spacecraft, putting the lunar mission back on track.
January 13, 2024

Japan Offers Ukraine Condolences and Cooperation for Reconstruction

By Thisanka Siripala
Japan pledges “unwavering” support to Ukraine amid aid fatigue in the West.

January 03, 2024

Japan’s New Years Day Celebrations Cut Short by Deadly Earthquake 

By Thisanka Siripala
Japan enters 2024 rocked by a powerful earthquake and a deadly airplane collision.

December 14, 2023

Kishida Replaces 4 Cabinet Members as Japan’s Political Fundraising Scandal Deepens 

By Thisanka Siripala
The government is in damage control mode as it scrambles to contain public distrust over underreported fundraising revenue.

December 08, 2023

How Green Is Japan’s COP28 Commitment?

By Thisanka Siripala
Japan’s decarbonization strategy is being slammed by environmental groups for prioritizing “clean” coal. 
December 02, 2023

Japan Fears Growing Threat From North Korea’s Latest Spy Satellite  

By Thisanka Siripala
Japan goes back to the drawing board to tackle North Korea’s spy satellite and advancing nuclear weapons program.  

November 16, 2023

Japan’s ‘Balanced’ Position on Palestine Fails to Impress 

By Thisanka Siripala
In Japan, protests calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza are at odds with the government’s stance in the Israeli-Hamas war. 

October 20, 2023

Japan’s Fishing Sector Struggles After China Seafood Ban

By Thisanka Siripala
Japan is ramping up efforts to counter China’s seafood ban amid the controversial wastewater release from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant. 

October 04, 2023

Japan Announces Economic Stimulus to Combat Cost of Living Crisis

By Thisanka Siripala
Japan’s escalating consumer inflation is compounded by stagnant wages and a sliding yen. 

September 18, 2023

Japan’s Top J-pop Agency Battles Fallout From Sex Abuse Scandal

By Thisanka Siripala
The country's most prestigious talent agency is in damage control amid growing public outrage over sexual abuse.
September 05, 2023

Japan Marks 100th Anniversary of the 1923 Kanto Massacre  

By Thisanka Siripala
Campaigners fight to keep the massacre of ethnic Koreans in the spotlight, despite the government's disinterest in interrogating the dark history.

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