The Diplomat | Author
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.
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May 08, 2019
The Rise of Japan’s New Emperor Sparks Debate on Male-Only Succession
By Thisanka Siripala
As Japan celebrates a new Emperor and imperial era, the male-only succession rule underscores the monarchy’s struggle to survive.
May 06, 2019
Japan’s Secretive Death Penalty Poised to Take a Back Seat During Olympic Spotlight
By Thisanka Siripala
With a new imperial year and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, death row inmates are likely to be spared in the coming two years.
April 25, 2019
Protesters in Japan Rally After Accused Rapist Found Innocent by Criminal Court
By Thisanka Siripala
Protesters blame Japan’s penal code after a court acquits a father of raping his daughter based on the victim’s lack of physical resistance.
April 18, 2019
Japan’s New Imperial Era: What’s in a Name?
By Thisanka Siripala
After the highly anticipated new imperial era was unveiled, its carefully considered name – Reiwa – has attracted criticism.
April 15, 2019
Japan’s Domestic Violence Cases Reach All-Time High
By Thisanka Siripala
After years of community pressure to raise awareness, abuse victims are speaking out in record numbers.
April 06, 2019
Ex-Nissan CEO Ghosn Detained Again on Fresh Breach of Trust Allegations
By Thisanka Siripala
In an unprecedented turn of events, Carlos Ghosn has been rearrested less than a month after being released on bail in Tokyo.
March 25, 2019
Japan’s Olympic Committee Chief Retires Amid Corruption Probe
By Thisanka Siripala
The scandal-hit JOC chief will step down - despite denying any wrongdoing - after growing pressure to resign.
March 20, 2019
Could Japan’s Shinzo Abe Retain Power for a Fourth Term?
By Thisanka Siripala
Without a clear leader to succeed Abe, his devout followers in the LDP hint at extending his time in office.
March 08, 2019
Ex-Nissan CEO Ghosn Granted Bail Under Strict Conditions
By Thisanka Siripala
After 108 days of detention, ousted Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn’s dramatic, disguised exit has taken the media spotlight.
March 05, 2019
An Ancient Japanese Shrine Debuts a Buddhist Robot
By Thisanka Siripala
A high-tech twist hopes to offer Buddhist wisdom that’s easily understood by younger generations in Japan.
February 26, 2019
Japan’s School Bullying Escalates With Spike in Youth Suicide
By Thisanka Siripala
As the Education Ministry struggles to halt school bullying, some look to artificial intelligence to highlight at risk students.
February 20, 2019
Japan’s Same Sex Couples Sue Government, Demanding Marriage Equality
By Thisanka Siripala
Same sex couples leveraged Valentine’s Day to pursue marriage equality in Japan.