Country
Japan

Japan-Italy-UK Joint Fighter Program Takes a Step Forward With New Treaty
By Takahashi Kosuke
Japan, Britain, and Italy agreed to establish a joint organization to develop a new sixth-generation fighter jet.

Kishida Replaces 4 Cabinet Members as Japan’s Political Fundraising Scandal Deepens
By Thisanka Siripala
The government is in damage control mode as it scrambles to contain public distrust over underreported fundraising revenue.

Slush Fund Scandal Rocks Japan’s Ruling Party
By Shannon Tiezzi
Allegations that members of the LDP underreported fundraising income to create a slush fund have shaken up the political scene.

Is the Osprey Safe?
By Takahashi Kosuke
The latest fatal crash off Japan has resurrected worries regarding the aircraft’s track record.

Japan-South Korea Cooperation Rests on the Rule of Law
By Jason Morgan and Kenji Yoshida
South Korea’s erratic court rulings and disharmony in the justice system are jeopardizing its bilateral relations with Japan.

How Green Is Japan’s COP28 Commitment?
By Thisanka Siripala
Japan’s decarbonization strategy is being slammed by environmental groups for prioritizing “clean” coal.

Japan Fears Growing Threat From North Korea’s Latest Spy Satellite
By Thisanka Siripala
Japan goes back to the drawing board to tackle North Korea’s spy satellite and advancing nuclear weapons program.

This Week in Asia: December 1, 2023
The Diplomat’s weekly video round-up of Asia news.

1 Dead, 7 Missing After US Military Osprey Aircraft Crashes off SW Japan
By Takahashi Kosuke
Japan requested U.S. Forces Japan ground Osprey transport aircraft, and the JGSDF grounded its own Ospreys amid U.S. Air Force safety concerns.

PALM10: Japan’s Chance to Engage With Pacific Island Countries
By Mina Pollmann
As China attempts to increase its influence over the PICs, Japan must marshal a strategic response that connects these states to its broader objectives in the Indo-Pacific.

Gender Norms and Women’s Double Burden in East Asia
By Jessica Shao and Yoolim Lee
South Korea, Japan, and China share similar issues with entrenched gender norms regarding childcare and employment, which are being reflected in their plunging birthrates.

G7 President Japan Has a Final Chance for Energy Leadership at COP28
By Yoko Mulholland, Hanna Hakko, and Kat Petersen
As its G-7 presidency concludes, Japan has an opportunity to advance delivery of the global clean energy transition at COP28.