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Kuni Miyake
For Kuni Miyake's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 14, 2022
Japan-Australian alliance is even more important in today's geopolitical environment
Japan and Australia have much to gain by improving ties, both militarily and economically, in an uncertain global geopolitical environment.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 29, 2022
A dignified farewell should transcend politics
Though the nation was divided over holding a state funeral, it was a fitting and dignified farewell for the nation's longest-serving prime minister, Shinzo Abe.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 16, 2022
Is there such a thing as a ‘real’ state funeral?
The phrase 'real state funeral' has been “trending” on Japanese social media ever since Queen Elizabeth's death was announced.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 2, 2022
Unification Church and the LDP: A scandal or a witch hunt?
Japan performs a balancing act with political parties and how closely they should be allowed to work with religious groups.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 19, 2022
Proud China should avoid repeating mistakes Japan made in the past
Historical analogies to Japan during and prior to World War II may help us appreciate the true meaning of current events as they pertain to China and Taiwan.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 4, 2022
In the Taiwan crisis, we should be worried about history rhyming
Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan may prove dangerous — not because it is irresponsible, but because China has history of making strategic mistakes.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 21, 2022
How U.S. and Japanese strategists differ in preparation for a Taiwan contingency
U.S. and Japanese war games aimed at planning for a Taiwan contingency differ greatly: One concentrates on the military aspect, the other more the legal angle.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 9, 2022
Shinzo Abe: A compassionate statesman, strategist and husband
A former adviser reflects on his days serving the late prime minister.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jun 23, 2022
The gap between Japan’s parties and voters on national security is widening
According to recent polls, national security is the second most important issue for Japanese voters in the upcoming Upper House elections.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 10, 2022
Will Japan raise defense spending to 2% of GDP?
Some in Japan believe it is time to increase the defense budget to 2% of gross domestic product, similar to NATO.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 28, 2022
Biden's diplomatic brinkmanship on Taiwan's 'strategic ambiguity'
There is no doubt that Joe Biden's remarks that the U.S. would defend Taiwan were not part of a 'gaffe' and were very deliberate.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 12, 2022
Tokyo and Seoul need to learn how to agree to disagree again
Unfortunately, the leadership in Tokyo and Seoul have either forgotten the wisdom of the 1990s or have become too obsessed with the details of outstanding historical issues.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 28, 2022
War in Ukraine shatters Japan's pacifist dreams
A country cannot defend itself without maintaining combat readiness, especially when it comes to offensive military capabilities. Ordinary people in Japan are beginning to realize this.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 14, 2022
Japan must find better ways to nurture its future superstars
Japanese baseball star Roki Sasaki threw a perfect game, but the old ways of doing things could have ruined him before he started.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 31, 2022
Biden joins the Putin and Xi miscalculation club
Although many in the international community — and probably Putin himself — were surprised by Joe Biden's remarks that the Russian leader could not remain in power, I was not.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 18, 2022
Two serious miscalculations: Strategic for Putin and tactical for Xi
A Vladimir Putin weakened by a failed Ukraine invasion would not necessarily be a bad thing for Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 4, 2022
It's not what Biden said in the State of the Union, but what he failed to say
Many people in Japan are still uneasy, if not disappointed, about Biden's lack of reference to China in his State of the Union.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 20, 2022
The fates of Ukraine and Taiwan aren't necessarily linked
Despite some similarities, the issues facing Ukraine and Taiwan are mostly different and the two will likely not suffer the same fate.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 3, 2022
Does Japan’s human rights resolution on China go far enough?
Some say the China human rights resolution 'was born at last after a difficult delivery,” while others call it “too little, too submissive.”
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 20, 2022
The consistency and novelty in Kishida’s foreign policy
The nation's mainstream media seems to be ambivalent about Kishida's realist-based diplomacy.

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