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Tokyo Report
Japan’s Nuclear Follies
By Jeff Kingston
Nuclear energy may make sense in places where reactors can be operated safely, but Japan is a seismically active archipelago.
Kishida’s Unfinished Business: Political Economy of Wage Increases in Japan
By Hironori Sasada and Tadashi Iwami
The battle against wage stagnation, a key goal of Kishida’s Cabinet, cannot be won without empowering labor unions.
Jingu Gaien Redevelopment Sparks Outrage in Tokyo. Is the Backlash Too Little, Too Late?
By Paul Christensen
The Jingu Gaien construction project has sparked outcry over the loss of green space and historical sites. But other projects that operate with similar intentions passed nearly unopposed.
Japan’s First Moon Rover Resumes Operations After Landing Upside Down
By Thisanka Siripala
After technical setbacks, Japan has reestablished communication with the dormant spacecraft, putting the lunar mission back on track.
Japan’s Aging Population Will Increase Disaster Vulnerability
By Maxime Polleri
As the Noto earthquake showed, the elderly are among the most impacted by natural disasters.
How Earthquakes Shake Japan’s Political Landscape
By Makoto Takahashi
The earthquake that struck Japan on New Year’s Day caused a grave tragedy but a political crisis, like that seen in 2011, seems to have been dodged.
US Forces Japan Join JSDF Earthquake Relief Efforts
By Takahashi Kosuke
This is the first time that the U.S. military will provide assistance to an earthquake-affected area in Japan since 2016.
Japan Offers Ukraine Condolences and Cooperation for Reconstruction
By Thisanka Siripala
Japan pledges “unwavering” support to Ukraine amid aid fatigue in the West.
Why Japan Needs Its Own Version of FEMA
By Takahashi Kosuke
A series of tragedies thus far in 2024 shows why it’s high time to establish a specialized agency for disaster management.
Japan’s New Years Day Celebrations Cut Short by Deadly Earthquake
By Thisanka Siripala
Japan enters 2024 rocked by a powerful earthquake and a deadly airplane collision.
Japan Eases Rules on Lethal Weapon Exports
By Takahashi Kosuke
Tokyo will face three major challenges to implement the policy change.
Japan Approves 16.5% Increase in Defense Spending for FY2024
By Takahashi Kosuke
For the tenth year in a row, the budget draft set a new record for national defense spending as Japan continues to pursue its Defense Buildup Program.