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July 06, 2025
 

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Michael MacArthur Bosack

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Michael MacArthur Bosack
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 14, 2021
Key takeaways from the G7 summit
While the world's response to COVID-19 dominated discussions, leaders appeared to have rediscovered the joy of diplomacy
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 29, 2021
Understanding Japan’s ‘positive list’ approach to security
The new legislation eliminated the need for special measures laws for the types of operations the SDF had engaged in since 2001 and added new provisions for limited collective self-defense.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 16, 2021
Why France is a welcome security partner for Japan
Ultimately, it is not about how much military power partners project into the region, it is about adversaries knowing that those partners have skin in the game.
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 1, 2021
Japan's political state of play following the by-elections
The LDP's inability to pick up seats in the by-elections was unsurprising; after all, two of those seats were only up for election because of highly publicized scandals.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World / Perspectives
Apr 26, 2021
Afghanistan withdrawal: Reconciling the 'Forever War'
A scholar, negotiator and Afghanistan veteran reflects on what the end of the 20-year conflict means.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 24, 2021
What can Japan do in a Taiwan-China clash?
In the “two-plus-two” meeting that took place last week, the Japanese and U.S. governments unequivocally called out China, highlighting the country's unilateral and unlawful attempts to change the status quo in the Indo-Pacific. Since then, there has been much debate on what this means for the region, especially in the context of Taiwan.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 10, 2021
3/11 was pivotal for the Japan-U.S. alliance
It is difficult to describe just how important 3/11 was in evolving the alliance.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 18, 2021
Why Japan’s territorial disputes are so hard to resolve
Next week, Shimane Prefecture will celebrate the relatively young Takeshima Day, which will invariably invite protest from the South Korean government.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 24, 2021
The art of 'leaking' in the Japanese government
Leaks do not have to be true — they just have to be perceived as factual by the individuals reporting them.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 19, 2021
Vaccination minister: Reward or punishment for Taro Kono?
Only the prime minister and the highest level of LDP executives know for sure the motivations behind tapping Kono as the minister in charge of the COVID-19 vaccinations.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 18, 2020
Five things to watch in Japanese politics in 2021
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's power atop the government is not assured, and with some significant elections scheduled, domestic politics could once again shake things up at the top.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 20, 2020
Japan's need for a clear U.S. commitment over the Senkakus
Since 2010, Washington has stated and reiterated its position that the Senkakus fall under U.S.-Japan Mutual Security Treaty obligations.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 1, 2020
Suga needs new tack on the North Korea abductee issue
With the abduction issue continuing to inform the Suga administration's North Korea policy, the government must adjust its approach if it hopes for progress.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 28, 2020
A Liberal Democratic party heavyweight toppled?
Ishiba's decision to step down as leader of his faction has left many wondering what it may portend in terms of LDP factional politics and his future political prospects.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 22, 2020
Five takeaways from the Australia-Japan defense ministers' joint statement
For Japan, it provides a standard for which other potential security partners like the U.K., Canada and the Philippines can follow.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 15, 2020
Suga’s Senkaku Islands test
Neither side knows how the other will respond, though China currently has the upper hand given that it's just another move in its long-held strategy.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 14, 2020
Understanding Japan’s future security relationships
Could the world be seeing the underpinnings of a new NATO-like alliance in Asia with the Quad? What would Japan's role even be in such a security arrangement?
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 17, 2020
How will Japan's new prime minister transition from lieutenant to leader?
For one thing, Yoshihide Suga will have to pay back his allies for their support with Cabinet and LDP leadership appointments, as well as potential policy concessions.
COMMENTARY / Japan / Commentary
Sep 16, 2020
Breaking down Suga's picks for his first Cabinet
With Yoshihide Suga formally appointed as prime minister on Wednesday, all eyes will be watching to see how the newly minted leader will steer Japan.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 9, 2020
What to watch for in the LDP leadership race
With Yoshihide Suga's assured victory, we now have a clearer outlook of Japan's political landscape for the next twelve months.
Japan braces for more quakes as authorities dismiss doomsday hype
Evacuees from Akuseki Island, located in the Tokara island chain in Kagoshima Prefecuture, arrive at Kagoshima Port on Friday.
Hidden AI prompts in academic papers spark concern about research integrity
Waseda University is one of 14 institutions in eight countries found to have used hidden prompts in research papers.
A prophesied disaster (likely) won’t strike Japan this weekend
A viral manga prediction of a July 5 disaster has gripped Japan with anxiety and triggered an economic impact, but experts warn that while such dates are unreliable, the threat of a massive earthquake remains real. 
Residents of Tokara Islands begin evacuation as seismic swarm continues
Details about evacuations from Akuseki Island, located in the Tokara island chain in Kagoshima Prefecture, is seen written on a whiteboard in the city of Kagoshima on Thursday.
U.S. military apologizes over Okinawa sexual assault case
Col. Neil Owens (right), chief of staff for the 3rd Marine Division, bows in apology at the Okinawa Prefectural Government office in Naha on Thursday.
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Flag football facing challenges and opportunities ahead
Japan’s women’s flag football team at the 2025 International Bowl in Los Angeles in June. The sport is enjoying continued growth in the country.
From Hokusai’s Great Wave, shinkansen to One Piece: a cultural treasure box for Lego Japan
Michael Ebbesen, general manager of Lego Japan, says Lego bricks based on Japanese culture have a rich global appeal and are sellable around the world.
With farmed fish, RelationFish swims against the tide in fine dining
Chef Hideaki Matsuo (middle) and the staff of Oseto Suisan Fisheries prepare to check on their sustainably farmed fish.
As Southeast Asia heats up, a Japanese cooling giant sees a major opportunity
An employee of Daikin Cambodia explains the use of different tools during an air conditioner installation training session in Phnom Penh. Daikin is one of Japan’s oldest air conditioning companies, but as Japan’s population falls, the firm is keying in on overseas growth.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji
By Alex K.T. Martin

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