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Tokyo Report

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.

February 07, 2023
Japan, China Hold Foreign Minister Call Days After NATO Chief’s Visit
By Mina Pollmann
Tokyo continues to try to keep relations with Beijing stable even as it deepens military cooperation with NATO and other partners.

February 01, 2023
Will Suga Yoshihide Make a Comeback?
By Jio F. Kamata
As Prime Minister Kishida fights flagging approval ratings, his predecessor is testing the political waters.

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 21, 2023
Doubling the Defense Budget Won’t be Easy for Japan
By Daisuke Akimoto and Purnendra Jain
Kishida’s judgment on how to fund the defense budget increase will be a critical factor in his survival as prime minister.

January 19, 2023
Japan’s Largest Opposition Party Seeks Moderation, But the Base Disagrees
By Jio Kamata
After a decade in the political wilderness, the Constitutional Democratic Party is trying to broaden its appeal – but its base is not pleased.

January 19, 2023
The Unification Church, Japan, and North Korea
By ISOZAKI Atsuhito
The Unification Church and North Korea are closely linked, despite the church's adamant anti-communist stance.

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 18, 2023
Japan, US Emphasize Security Cooperation During Kishida Visit
By Mina Pollmann
The Japanese prime minister's U.S. visit, and the latest 2+2 consultations, emphasized an even-closer alliance amid Japan's changing security posture.

January 17, 2023
Kishida’s 3 Dilemmas as G7 President
By Takahashi Kosuke
After his successful tour of 5 G-7 partners, Japan’s three main challenges are apparent: Russia, China, and nuclear weapons.

January 14, 2023
Japan Eyes Delay of Fukushima Plant Water Release
By Mari Yamaguchi
The plan to released treated radioactive wastewater has been fiercely opposed by local residents and Japan's neighbors, including China and South Korea.