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Phil Stewart
For Phil Stewart's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jul 9, 2019
Chinese military signals it will keep Hong Kong-based troops in barracks amid protests
The Chinese military commander responsible for Hong Kong has assured a Pentagon official that Chinese troops will not interfere in the city's affairs — an apparent signal that they will stay in their barracks amid renewed political upheaval.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / FOCUS
Nov 10, 2018
U.S. defense chief works to keep rising Sino-American tensions from boiling over
When the United States imposed sanctions on China's military this fall, China retaliated by canceling Defense Secretary Jim Mattis' plans to meet his counterpart in Beijing. But just days later, a Chinese general visited the Pentagon with a reassuring message: Beijing valued the importance of military ties between the two countries.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Oct 20, 2018
U.S. weighs new warship passage through Taiwan Strait amid heightened tensions with China
The United States is considering a new operation to send warships through the Taiwan Strait, U.S. officials tell Reuters, a mission aimed at ensuring free passage through the strategic waterway but which risks heightening tensions with China.
Japan Times
WORLD
Oct 18, 2018
U.S. prepares for biggest-ever Agent Orange cleanup in Vietnam
U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Wednesday visited a former American air base in southern Vietnam that will soon become the biggest-ever U.S. cleanup site for contamination left by the defoliant Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jul 10, 2018
As Trump confounds, Jim Mattis seen as quiet champion among NATO allies
U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will only play a supporting role to President Donald Trump at this week's NATO summit — an event that by definition is focused on heads of state from the trans-Atlantic alliance.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
May 26, 2018
U.S. 'maximum pressure' on North Korea faces test with summit in limbo
U.S. efforts to sustain and possibly intensify its "maximum pressure" campaign on North Korea are entering a perilous phase as a potential breakdown in diplomacy with Pyongyang raises fears that China may loosen its enforcement of international sanctions.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jun 20, 2017
Without comprehensive U.S. strategy in Syria, Trump risks wider war
U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered stepped-up military operations against the Islamic State group and delegated more authority to his generals, but without a comprehensive Syria strategy, his approach risks further confrontation with Syria, Iran and even Russia, according to U.S. officials and analysts.
JAPAN
Mar 10, 2014
Defense talks with U.S. look at 'gray zone' clash scenarios
As Japan and the United States start talks on how to respond to armed incidents that fall short of a full-scale attack on Japan, officials in Tokyo worry that their ally is reluctant to send China a strong message of deterrence.

Longform

When trying to trace your lineage in Japan, the "koseki" is the most important form of document you'll encounter.
Climbing the branches of a Japanese family tree