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Tokyo Report
Japan Has a Chance to Break the Ice With South Korea
By Darlene Onuorah
Recent developments coming out of Seoul have presented opportunities for Tokyo to explore means of cooperation.
Japan’s Ruling Party Loses 3 Key Elections in Bow to Suga
By Mari Yamaguchi
With full elections due by this fall, the opposition's sweep of Sunday's by-elections is a warning sign for Prime Minister Suga and the LDP.
Can Japan’s ‘Invisible’ Diplomacy Help Solve the Myanmar Crisis?
By Keiho Sasamori
Japan has been criticized for seeming inaction following the coup and ensuring crackdown. But there are hints Tokyo is taking action behind the scenes.
‘Joe-Yoshi’ Spirit Buoys Japan-US Alliance in Turbulent Seas
By Scott W. Harold
With both countries facing serious challenges at home, their leaders remained committed to building a personal rapport.
Why Matsuyama at the Masters Matters
By Layne Vandenberg
The impact of Hideki Matsuyama’s victory at the 2021 Masters Golf Tournament could be diminished by barriers to entry and ongoing stereotypes about Asian athletes.
The US and Japan Must Lead on Climate Cooperation
By Mary M. McCarthy and Phillip Y. Lipscy
Both countries have been criticized as climate change laggards. The Biden and Suga administrations are looking to change that perception.
Japan Faces Growing Pressure to Rethink Releasing Fukushima’s Wastewater into Ocean
By Thisanka Siripala
China and South Korea have reacted strongly to the Japanese government’s decision to release contaminated water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear reactor.
The Biden-Suga Summit: What to Expect
By Joshua W. Walker
If both leaders play their cards right, ties between Tokyo and Washington could anchor a peaceful and rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific for years to come.
The Japan-US Alliance During the Biden Administration
By KAWASHIMA Shin
One way of looking at the 2+2 meeting is that a selection of items for future consideration was put on the table. What becomes of these items going forward is now the critical question.
Japan’s Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Operators Penalized for Sloppy Safeguards at Niigata
By Thisanka Siripala
A series of safety breaches compounds fears that TEPCO has failed to learn from the Fukushima nuclear disaster in its bid to restart a Niigata nuclear power plant.
Japan Regulator Bans Nuke Plant Restart Over Lax Safeguards
By Mari Yamaguchi
Of the 54 nuclear reactors Japan used to have, nine have been restarted under tougher post-Fukushima safety standards and four are currently operating.
Can Japan Be Both Carbon-Free and Nuclear-Free?
By Daisuke Akimoto
Japan can – and should – pursue an energy mix that is both carbon-neutral and avoids reliance on nuclear energy.