Blog
Tokyo Report
Osaka 2025 World Expo Plagued by Rising Costs and Construction Delays
By Thisanka Siripala
The Osaka World Expo is rushing to prevent an exodus of international participants as construction costs surge.
The Case for a More Autonomous Japanese Foreign Policy
By Jio Kamata
A recent report by a group of Japanese foreign policy researchers calls for diplomacy at a time when few seem to understand its value.
Typhoon Khanun Forecast to Turn Back to Southern Japanese Islands
By Mari Yamaguchi
The typhoon already injured 41 people and knocked out power for nearly a third of homes on Okinawa. Now it’s expected to return.
With Visits to Sri Lanka, Maldives, Japan Seeks to Shore up Indian Ocean Presence
By Mina Pollmann
Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa visited the Indian Ocean island states in his latest foreign tour.
Japan’s LGBTQ Community Battles Tradition and Ultraconservative Politics
By Thisanka Siripala
Securing legal protections for sexual minorities is agonizingly slow in a country playing catch-up.
With Eyes on Taiwan, Okinawan Islands Seek Shelter
By Mina Pollmann
As tensions around Taiwan increase, remote Okinawan islands look to prepare for a possible conflict by investing in evacuation shelters and other defensive infrastructure.
Japan Makes Major Shift in Middle East Diplomacy
By SUZUKI Kazuto
A recent visit signals a major policy change.
Kishida’s Trip to Middle East Focuses on Energy, Defense Cooperation
By Mina Pollmann
There are ironies involved in both, given that fossil fuels ties Japan and the region together more than shared liberal values.
Japan, ASEAN, and ‘De-risking’ Through Free Trade
By SUKEGAWA Seiya
Japan should work with the bloc to preserve the free trade system.
Japan Forges Closer Ties to NATO
By Thisanka Siripala
Kishida champions the Free and Open Indo-Pacific message at the NATO summit.
Hong Kong Will Ban More Products From Japan If Treated Wastewater Is Discharged, Leader Says
By Kanis Leung
Chief Executive John Lee said in a press briefing that his government would err on the side of caution amid the unprecedented planned release of wastewater from the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant.
North Korea Unsettles Kishida Government
By ISOZAKI Atsuhito
Tokyo has been left puzzled by some recent moves from Pyongyang.