For Tomoyuki Tachikawa's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
China's economy could slow ahead of the ruling Communist Party's twice-a-decade congress this fall as President Xi Jinping's coronavirus policies and socialist ambitions take their toll.
Under strict anti-virus measures, family members of workers have been unable to join their partners and parents in the country.
While China is expected to intensify provocations against Taiwan, U.S.-North Korea talks on denuclearization are almost certain to make no headway.
A pivotal resolution on China's modern history — the first such declaration in 40 years — touted Xi's accomplishments but downplayed events such as the Tiananmen Square massacre.
Some Japanese say they have been disappointed with the policy, which might stifle spending and investment by wealthy Chinese and in turn hamper the nation's economic expansion.
Any push by new minister Takayuki Kobayashi to forge closer ties with Taiwan as part of attempts to better safeguard Japan's economic security interests could prompt retaliation by Beijing.
If industrial production becomes sluggish amid the power shortfall, Japanese firms will struggle to buy the components they need and have to trim planned output, eroding their profits.
Ordinary citizens have expressed concerns that the Communist Party has ruined the image of the nation and hindered personal relationships with Japanese people.
The legislation will enable China's maritime safety agency, which belongs to the transportation ministry, to order foreign vessels to leave what the nation claims as its territorial waters.
Tokyo faces a dilemma on how to get along with its powerful but crucial neighbor as fears grow of a "new Cold War" between Beijing and the United States.
