Blog
Tokyo Report
Japan Set to Welcome Unrestricted Tourism by October
By Thisanka Siripala
Japan’s struggling tourism sector sees a light at the end of the tunnel as “self-guided” tours make way for full travel.
Okinawa Reelects Governor Opposing Heavy US Troop Presence
By Mari Yamaguchi
Resentment and frustration run deep in Okinawa because of the heavy U.S. presence and Tokyo's lack of efforts to negotiate with Washington.
Half of LDP National Lawmakers Tied to Unification Church
By Mari Yamaguchi
An internal survey by Japan’s ruling party confirmed widespread ties between the Liberal Democratic Party and the South Korea-based church.
NPT Conference Collapse, Military Drills Further Strain Japan-Russia Relations
By Mina Pollmann
Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine has seriously damaged Russia-Japan relations, and the fallout continues to be felt.
Tokyo Olympics Sponsorship Scandal Widens With More Arrests
By Yuri Kageyama
The latest allegations center on 76 million yen a former Tokyo Olympics organizing committee member received from Tokyo-based publishing company Kadokawa.
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.