Tokyo Report

South Korea’s diplomatic and security relations with Japan experienced a dramatic turnaround under Yoon. Tokyo fears that progress won't last under a new president.

Japan argues that whaling is part of its history and culture. A rigid insistence on maritime sovereignty offers a more convincing explanation for Tokyo’s stance. 

The political chaos in Seoul is casting dark clouds over not only Japan-South Korea relations but also Japan-South Korea-U.S. trilateral security cooperation.

As regional tensions escalate, particularly concerning the Taiwan Strait, discussions of Okinawa often fall prey to reductionist narratives.

Under the leadership of Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, there is hope that recent momentum will continue.

There is no doubt that Abe and Trump had a genuine friendship. However, what is often overlooked was how hard Abe worked to make that a reality.

Beijing wants Japan – and only Japan – to offer reciprocity.

Prime Minister Ishiba, operating with a severely dented domestic power base, lacks decisive leadership at a time when Japan can ill afford it. 

Ironically, the opposition parties may have more in common with the late Abe's approach than the LDP's current leader.

Whatever the result of the coalition talks currently underway, the opposition parties have more veto power than they have enjoyed in over a decade.

Despite losing 69 seats, the LDP is still hoping to form a government through a new coalition.