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Tokyo Report
TICAD 2022: Japan’s Deepening Partnerships in Africa
By Brittany Morreale and Purnendra Jain
The international context has changed markedly since the last TICAD in 2019. How is Japan approaching African countries today?
Abe Murder Suspect Says Mother’s Involvement in Unification Church Destroyed His Life
By Mari Yamaguchi
The claimed motive for the crime – poverty and neglect – has sparked a surprising amount of sympathy among Japanese for the alleged assassin.
Japan to Ease COVID-19 Border Controls From Sept. 7
By Mari Yamaguchi
Japan, which has imposed some of the toughest border measures amid the pandemic, continues its gradual reopening even as case counts soar.
Preparation for Abe’s State Funeral Proceeds Amid Growing Public Opposition
By Jio Kamata
As former PM Abe Shinzo’s state funeral – Japan’s first in 55 years – inches closer, more and more Japanese are turning against the idea.
China, Japan Officials Meet Amid Taiwan Tensions
By Associated Press
The visit from Japan’s national security chief come two weeks after China called off a foreign ministers’ meeting, citing Tokyo’s criticism of military drills near Taiwan.
What Will Kishida Say on August 15 at Japan’s National Memorial Ceremony for the War Dead?
By Mindy Kotler
Kishida has an opportunity to demonstrate his independence now that Abe is gone. Will he return to the legacy of the Murayama statement?
The Japan-US Alliance Embraces the Economic
By Simran Walia
The advent of the new Economic 2+2 shows how closely economic issues are intertwined with security concerns.
Japan Prime Minister Purges Cabinet After Support Falls Over Church Ties
By Mari Yamaguchi
Kishida said it was important to gain people's trust and that the new Cabinet included only those who agreed to strictly review their ties to the Unification Church.
Japan’s Evolving Approach to the Taiwan Strait
By Rena Sasaki
Comparing the current crisis to the Third Taiwan Strait Crisis from 1995-96, Japan’s attitude toward China, the U.S., and other like-minded countries has changed significantly.
Hitting Reset on Japan-South Korea Relations
By Jessie Laufer
With relatively new governments and a pressing threat from North Korea, the timing to renew Seoul and Tokyo ties is better now than it has been in years.
Pelosi Discusses Taiwan Tensions in Japan
By Mari Yamaguchi
The U.S. House speaker and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida both denounced China’s ongoing military drills near Taiwan, underscoring Japan's security concerns.
Kishida Becomes First Japanese PM to Attend NPT Review Conference
By Mina Pollmann
Kishida's appearance at the review conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons is a sign of his personal interest in nuclear disarmament.