author

 
 

Meta

Tim Kelly
For Tim Kelly's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Former U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks in Washington on Wednesday. Japan has stepped up attempts to engage with people close to Trump in recent weeks, worrying that if he returns to power he may seek some kind of deal with Beijing that could undermine recent efforts by the Group of Seven countries to counter China.
JAPAN
Feb 2, 2024
Japan's message for Donald Trump: Don't cut a deal with China
Tokyo has stepped up attempts to engage with people close to Trump in recent weeks.
Runa Kurosawa, 20, a soldier with the Ground Self-Defense Force's Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, takes part in military training inside the Maritime Self-Defense Force's amphibious transport ship JS Osumi in waters near Okinawa Prefecture on Nov. 14.
JAPAN
Jan 21, 2024
The female marines Japan is training for war
The Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade — meant to lead assaults from the sea in a possible future war — has about 40 women in its 2,400 strong unit.
Kubura fishing port and Kubura district on the island of Yonaguni, Okinawa Prefecture
JAPAN
Dec 17, 2023
Frontier islanders decry lack of plan to aid fleeing Taiwanese
Concerned about the potential for a China-Taiwan conflict, Japan has embarked on its biggest defense buildup since World War II.
A Ground Self-Defense Force marine takes part in a landing drill as a part of the country's nationwide 05JX military exercises on the island of Tokunoshima, in Kagoshima Prefecture, on Sunday.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 19, 2023
Japanese marines drill on island seen as vulnerable to China
The joint exercises were meant to show the readiness of ground, sea and air forces to defend Japan's territory and infrastructure.
Japan's Self-Defense Force on Sunday conducted a tsunami evacuation drill in Yonaguni, Japan's westernmost island, in Okinawa Prefecture.
JAPAN
Nov 12, 2023
Japanese island holds disaster drill in shadow of Taiwan threat
Yonaguni is only 110 km from Taiwan. In August last year, China fired missiles into nearby waters in response to a visit to Taiwan by Nancy Pelosi.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is saluted by Maritime Self-Defense Force members during the International Fleet Review to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the MSDF, at Sagami Bay, off Yokosuka, on Nov. 6, 2022.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Nov 3, 2023
Weak yen forces Japan to cut back on historic military spending
Officials and industry sources said Japan will begin cutting back on aircraft purchases in 2024, the second year of the buildup plan, due to the weak yen.
A model of a new fighter jet of the Global Combat Air Programme led by Britain, Japan, and Italy, is seen at the DSEI defense event in London on Sept. 12.
JAPAN
Sep 21, 2023
HQ for multilateral jet fighter project to be placed in U.K.
Japan and Britain will dominate design and manufacturing on the project.
Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki speaks at a news conference in Naha on Sept. 4. Tamaki has raised issue with Japan's ongoing military building and its effect on Okinawa Prefecture.
JAPAN
Sep 20, 2023
Rapid military buildup a worry for Okinawans, governor says
"We must never allow people in Okinawa to go through the same horrible experience that we went through" in World War Two, said Denny Tamaki.
An official explains the National Defense Report at the Ministry of National Defense in Taipei on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 12, 2023
Japan elevates Taiwan security ties in move likely to rile China
The defense ministry said it would only pursue "nongovernmental" ties with Taipei.
Protesters shout slogans and raise banners reading "Don't throw polluted water into the sea! Keep your promises" during a rally against Japan's plan to discharge treated radioactive water from the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima plant into the ocean, in front of the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Aug 18, 2023
Fukushima water release poses test for Japan-South Korea unity
The dumping of radioactive water may happen days after a summit in which the U.S. wants Japan and South Korea to lock in friendly ties.
While the U.S. referenced China 20 times in its October announcement of semiconductor export controls targeting Chinese companies, Japan has chosen broad equipment controls not specifically aimed at its bigger neighbor.
BUSINESS
Jul 24, 2023
As Japan aligns with U.S. chip curbs on China, some in Tokyo feel uneasy
Tokyo remains worried that targeting China will provoke damaging retaliation, such as a ban on Japanese electric cars.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 19, 2023
Japan needs computing power surge to stay in AI race, says government adviser
Japan, the world"s third-largest economy, has been slow to invest in the field, and lags the United States in AI computer infrastructure.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 4, 2023
Japan shaping softer AI rules, official says, amid hopes of boosting chip sector
There are also aspirations to use AI to compensate for the nation"s graying population, said to be causing a labor shortage.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 2, 2023
U.S. seeking explosives in Japan for Ukraine artillery shells, sources say
Export rules ban Japanese companies from selling lethal items overseas, but the allies appear to have found a workaround to enable the TNT sale amid global shortages of munitions.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
May 25, 2023
Japanese firms feel 'sense of crisis' over falling birthrate
Of nearly 500 major companies surveyed, 94% said they felt a sense of crisis when asked about the fall in annual births in 2022.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 5, 2023
China's aircraft carriers play 'theatrical' role but pose little threat yet
Analysts say China has made progress with its carriers, but has yet to master operating in difficult conditions or adequately protecting the vessels.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 26, 2023
Japan battles to persuade big brands to help with military expansion
A key part of Tokyo"s strategy hinges on persuading commercial firms that for decades have quietly armed the SDF to ramp up production.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 2, 2022
Japan will use G7 and U.N. roles to pressure Russia, foreign minister says
The country's G7 presidency in 2023 and its return for a two-year stint as a nonpermanent Security Council member will give it a more conspicuous to voice its concerns.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Oct 19, 2022
Japan rushes to rearm with eye on 2027 — and China's Taiwan ambitions
By pointing to 2027 as the moment when East Asia's power balance may tip in China's favor, Japan's government can rally support for greater defense spending, experts say.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 18, 2022
Former members of Unification Church rail at politicians who embraced it
The assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in July has opened a debate over the church and has shone a spotlight on its close ties with the ruling LDP.

Longform

A statue of "Dragon Ball" character Goku stands outside the offices of Bandai Namco in Tokyo. The figure is now as recognizable as such characters as Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man.
Akira Toriyama's gift to the world