Blog
Tokyo Report
Japan Holds Anti-Racism Rally, Protesting Homegrown Police Brutality in Solidarity With Black Lives Matter
By Thisanka Siripala
Excessive force and unjust questioning against minorities are some of the issues raised by protesters in Tokyo.
Japan’s Challenges Balancing National Security and Economics
By Michio Ueda
National security and economic interests are perhaps more tightly bound together than ever before.
Japan Ends Coronavirus State of Emergency, Aims to Gradually Reopen the Economy
By Thisanka Siripala
The government declares success against the coronavirus and moves to incrementally resume economic activity.
Coronavirus or No, Japan’s Politics Remain Stuck
By Yusaku Yoshikawa
Despite strong disapproval of Prime Minister Abe’s COVID-19 response, the public sees little alternative to his continued governance.
Abe’s Popularity Plummets Amid Latest Controversy
By Thisanka Siripala
Abe’s approval ratings fell to a two-year low as online protests derailed the passage of a bill delaying the retirement age of prosecutors.
Japan Approves a Partial Cancellation of National Emergency Ahead of Expiration Date
By Thisanka Siripala
The government shifts its coronavirus response toward cluster tracing and long-term lifestyle changes.
The Trouble With Linking COVID-19 to Japan’s Hikikomori
By Tadasu Takahashi
The mental health issue is already poorly understood; now its role in the public imagination is shifting again.
The Rise of Japan’s Governors: Central-Local Relations During a Pandemic
By Michio Ueda
While Japan’s central government moved slowly to respond to COVID-19, prefectural governors sprung into action. That could have lasting consequences.
Is Japan Pulling Its Companies out of China?
By Shin Kawashima
A recent Japanese government policy is significant, but hardly a decoupling.
Japan Navigates an Extended National Emergency
By Thisanka Siripala
New social guidelines detail public health manners aimed at easing pressure on hospitals in the COVID-19 era.
Japan Should Have a Serious Debate on Revising Its Constitution—But Not Now
By Rintaro Nishimura
Shinzo Abe is right about the need for a debate, but the time is not right.
Tokyo Prods Japanese Firms to Leave China
By Mercy A. Kuo
Insights from David Arase.