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Jesse Johnson
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 11, 2020
Japan sticks to well-worn diplomatic language after latest Hong Kong crackdown
The government's top spokesman did not directly address the arrests in which Beijing deployed a new security law to target 'black hands' behind pro-democracy protests.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Jul 27, 2020
China's 100-day push near Senkaku Islands comes at unsettling time for Sino-Japanese ties
Japan is being forced to rethink how it will approach an increasingly belligerent China after years of work trying to mend ties with Beijing.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 24, 2020
U.S. military in Japan says all arriving personnel must take COVID-19 tests
The shift in policy came as the U.S. Marine Corps reported another 41 coronavirus infections, bringing the total cases among the military there to more than 200.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 21, 2020
MSDF joins exercises with U.S. and Australia on doorstep of South China Sea
The move, the latest show of naval might in the waters, was sure to anger China.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Jul 19, 2020
Will North Korea's Kim deliver an 'October surprise' to Trump?
Nuclear-armed Pyongyang could be weighing a summit — or provocation — ahead of November's U.S. presidential election
JAPAN
Jul 18, 2020
Chinese survey vessel spotted in Okinotorishima EEZ for over a week
The Chinese survey ship has been conducting activities for more than a week, the longest time spent in the waters without permission in a decade.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 15, 2020
Trio tied to U.S. military lied about Japan travel plans, then tested positive for COVID-19
Tokyo’s concerns over a COVID-19 outbreak at U.S. military bases in the country have grown after Defense Minister Taro Kono revealed that three individuals linked to a base in Yamaguchi Prefecture who later tested positive for the virus had lied about their travel plans after entering the country....
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 14, 2020
Kono draws attention to 'problems' with U.S. military response to Okinawa base outbreaks
Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki said it was 'extremely regrettable' that such a large number of cases had emerged in such a short period.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 11, 2020
Dozens of COVID-19 infections detected at U.S. military facilities in Okinawa, governor says
The number was likely to top 50 and involve several facilities, including Marine Corps Air Station Futenma and Camp Hansen.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 7, 2020
'Several' coronavirus cases detected at U.S. Futenma base in Okinawa
The U.S. Marines in Okinawa said Tuesday that it has detected “several” cases of COVID-19 infections at the contentious U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in the prefecture.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jul 4, 2020
Two U.S. aircraft carriers enter South China Sea as China conducts its own military exercises
Drills by carriers seen as part of a concerted effort by Washington to reassure partners in the region and counter Beijing's moves in the disputed waterway.
JAPAN
Jul 1, 2020
Japan's return to state of emergency an option, but only in 'worst-case scenario'
Remarks by the government's top spokesman came before Tokyo confirmed 67 COVID-19 cases — the highest daily figure since 87 were reported on May 4.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 30, 2020
Tokyo toughens tone after Beijing passes Hong Kong security law
Tokyo deploys harsh diplomatic language to stress that move 'undermines the credibility' of the “one-country, two-systems” principle.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jun 29, 2020
U.S. aircraft carriers hold joint drills after ASEAN lambastes Beijing over South China Sea
The second dual carrier exercise in a week comes amid a flurry of U.S. and Chinese military activity in Western Pacific.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Jun 24, 2020
North Korea's Kim backtracks on military threat, but more surprises likely in store
After weeks of vitriol, leader offers apparent off-ramp for defusing rising tensions with Seoul, one day before the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 23, 2020
Trumped by 'The Donald'? Bolton book offers peek into Abe's ties with U.S. leader
The hawkish former national security adviser lays bare the apparent trials and tribulations the Japanese PM has faced in placating the mercurial American president.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 22, 2020
Trump demanded Japan cough up $8 billion for U.S. troops — or risk pullout, Bolton says
Ex-top U.S. official writes that the president told him the best way to get allies like Japan to pay for substantial increases is 'to threaten to withdraw all U.S. forces.'
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jun 21, 2020
Three U.S. aircraft carriers operating on doorstep of South China Sea
The deployment — the first of its kind since 2017 — is likely intended to send a message to Beijing amid rising tensions.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Jun 17, 2020
North Korea falls back on familiar playbook to ratchet up tensions
North Korea is literally blowing up its relationship with the South. But its bark looks bigger than its bite — at least for now.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Jun 16, 2020
Is sudden decision to 'suspend' Aegis Ashore deployment a setback or a calculated retreat?
With Trump distracted by domestic issues, Abe may have judged the timing as ripe for halting the U.S.-made missile system without facing too much of a backlash.

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