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 30, 2023
Planned Fukushima Water Release Adds a New Wrinkle to Japan-South Korea Ties
By Thisanka Siripala
As Japan prepares to release treated water from the tsunami-crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, it battles harsh criticism from South Korea.
May 04, 2023
Japan Toughens Refugee Deportation Protocol
By Thisanka Siripala
Despite growing calls to improve human rights in Japanese detention facilities, the latest bill falls short of fundamental reform.
April 18, 2023
Japan PM Escapes Election Bomb Attack
By Thisanka Siripala
Less than a year after Abe’s murder, violence again erupted on the election campaign trail, raising concerns about how to protect public figures in Japan.
April 13, 2023
What Can Japan Do for Ukraine?
By Thisanka Siripala
Japan is eager to cultivate a lasting commitment to Ukraine, but its international clout is limited despite chairing this year’s G-7 Summit.
March 14, 2023
Fukushima 12 Years After the Nuclear Accident
By Thisanka Siripala
While radiation levels return to normal in towns around the accident epicenter, revitalization is weighed down by accumulating piles of contaminated soil.
March 07, 2023
Japan Welcomes South Korean Deal to End Colonial Era Forced Labor Dispute
By Thisanka Siripala
The long unresolved forced labor dispute nears closure, with South Korea deciding to shoulder victim compensation through donations.
February 17, 2023
Japan Suspects Chinese Spy Balloons Violated Its Airspace
By Thisanka Siripala
Japan is debating the appropriate response to tackle such surveillance following the U.S. shootdown of a balloon from China.
February 13, 2023
Japan’s Prime Minister Battles Fallout After Anti-LGBTQ Gaffe
By Thisanka Siripala
The Japanese government’s handling of homophobic comments by a top aide is under intense scrutiny as it seeks to revive a formally shelved LGBTQ bill.
February 08, 2023
Japan Downgrades COVID-19 Threat Despite Spike in Deaths
By Thisanka Siripala
The government lowered the legal status of COVID-19 even as it grapples with a deadly outbreak.
January 28, 2023
Japan’s Population Crisis Nears Point of No Return
By Thisanka Siripala
Japan’s population decline is following the worst-case scenario, prompting the government to devise urgent policies to incentivize more births.
January 19, 2023
Surviving Old Age Is Getting Harder in Japan
By Thisanka Siripala
Seniors living in poverty or working to supplement their income are on the rise as Japan’s public pension system cracks under a super aging society.
January 12, 2023
Japan’s Winter Energy Crunch Marks Return to Nuclear Power
By Thisanka Siripala
The country’s worsening energy supply shortage is seeing nuclear power play a greater role in its energy mix.