Showing 1 - 10 of 38
Ishiba's exit may lead to turmoil
News, Tomoyuki Tachikawa, Published on 28/07/2025
» Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's resignation could herald a political turmoil in Japan, as no decisive winner emerged from the latest House of Councillors election, in which the ruling bloc suffered a major setback.
Ishiba's summit absence shows lack of Nato faith
Oped, Sayuri Romei and Alice Dell'Era, Published on 21/07/2025
» Since a Japanese prime minister first attended a Nato summit in 2022, Japan has sent its highest-level representative to the event for three consecutive years. Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 was a key catalyst for Tokyo's decision to attend that year, and the 2025 summit in The Hague would have marked the fourth consecutive appearance by a Japanese leader.
PM's resignation opens the door to a chaotic era
News, Gearoid Reidy, Published on 16/08/2024
» In the end, Fumio Kishida could not escape the pull of gravity.
International challenges demand action
Oped, John J. Metzler, Published on 18/04/2024
» It's not often an American ally addresses the US Congress, but when they do, it's time to listen. That was the case on April 12 when Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida spoke before a joint session of Congress in Washington to both thank America for its post-war friendship and to reaffirm the continuing political and strategic partnership between Japan and the US.
Asean juggles triangular power game
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 09/04/2024
» A rising China, a trusted Japan, and a declining America are three cogs dictating the global geopolitical landscape in Southeast Asia in the months, if not years, to come. Amidst intensifying geopolitics, Asean is in a position where this could either be a blessing or a curse.
Behind US-China smiles, Taiwan face-off risks peril
News, Peter Apps, Published on 28/11/2023
» When John F Kennedy became US president in January 1961, he was determined to meet his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, directly. It was better, he told advisers, "to meet at the summit rather than the brink".
Finally, Japan shows diplomatic finesse
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 31/10/2023
» One quick slash by a katana is all that it takes. That was what Japan did by staying out the recent statement of the Group of Seven (G7) on the Israel-Hamas war, which has already resulted in huge cost to human life. Japan has a soft spot when it comes to civilian casualties and the advent of war. The devastating effects of the atomic bombs are still fresh in the collective memories of the Japanese public.
Japan's media has to account for its own failures
News, Gearoid Reidy, Published on 16/10/2023
» The recent downfalls in Japan of the Unification Church and J-pop agency Johnny & Associates seem to be, on the face of it, victories for justice: Two odious groups that used their outsized clout for years to cover up noxious acts have at last been hobbled, if not eliminated.
India's G20 presidency cast doubt on bloc
News, Takatoshi Ito, Published on 25/09/2023
» Following the latest G20 summit, held in New Delhi earlier this month, there is no longer any doubt about India's central position in global power politics. But questions about the G20 itself are gaining traction.
North Korea's human rights violations
News, John J Metzler, Published on 28/08/2023
» Most countries politely prefer to look the other way when it comes to confronting widespread reports of North Korean human rights violations. After all what can you do about what goes on in one of the world's most closed and repressive communist regimes?