Blog
Tokyo Report
Japan Olympic Committee Chief Faces Criminal Corruption Investigation
By Thisanka Siripala
Tokyo’s successful bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics has been marred by a corruption scandal.
Japan’s Growing Strategic Footprint in South Asia
By Sarbhanu Nath
The focus on China has overshadowed Japan's increasing presence in the region.
Japan Slams China for Unauthorized Research Around Okinotori Island
By Thisanka Siripala
Japan’s exclusive economic zone around the remote island is being challenged by China again.
The Toxic Influence of Japan’s Rural Political Interest Groups
By Xiaochen Su
It’s time to reduce the political influence of Japan’s dwindling rural, primary sector interests.
Japan’s Emperor Makes His Final New Year’s Appearance
By Yuri Kageyama
Emperor Akihito, who will soon be abdicating the throne, gave his final New Year’s address before 150,000 admirers.
Japan Ranks Worst Among G7 on Gender Gap Index
By Thisanka Siripala
Japan made small improvements in the World Economic Forum’s gender equality ranking but remains alarmingly behind.
Japan’s Defense Budget Swells to Counter China’s Growing Military Threat
By Thisanka Siripala
The Abe administration has given its national defense policy a new makeover sparking controversy over efforts to rush militarization.
Japan Wants Human Rights Back on the North Korea Agenda
By Daniel Hurst
A government-organized symposium focused on human rights, including the abductee issue, rather than nuclear weapons.
Japan’s Not Hedging… Yet
By Toshihiro Nakayama
The country remains committed to the U.S.-led order, but finds itself in uncharted territory.
Japan Again Urges South Korea to Overrule Court's Forced Labor Decision
By Mari Yamaguchi
Foreign Minister Taro Kono warned that the ruling could damage “the legal foundation of our relationship.”
Japan Looks to India’s Growing Tech Talent Pool
By Thisanka Siripala
With competition to recruit IT engineers intensifying, Japan is extending its talent search to emerging economies like India.
How Shinzo Abe Is Changing Japan’s Foreign Policy Apparatus
By Dmitry Filippov
The Abe administration is seizing the foreign policy initiative from Japan’s bureaucracy.