Commentary / Japan Oct 27, 2020

Nine scenarios for the 2020 U.S. elections

Can U.S. voters really stop the degradation of their politics? Will they make the right decision on Nov. 3? There is not much that friends and foes can do about it now.

Commentary / Japan Oct 20, 2020

Suga in Vietnam: Talking about China without naming it

Vietnam is crucial to achieving Japan’s vision for the Free and Open Indo-Pacific initiative.

Commentary / Japan Oct 15, 2020

Why did Suga choose Vietnam and Indonesia for his first official trip as prime minister?

Amid the election cycle and never-ending coronavirus pandemic, the best choice for a visit to the United States is not now.

Commentary / Japan Oct 7, 2020

The Quad Security Dialogue in Tokyo: Who will join next?

The four foreign ministers basically echoed each other's positions and agreed to meet regularly. The real question, however, is who, if any, will join the Quad next.

Commentary / World Sep 29, 2020

What if U.S. forces return to Taiwan?

An ugly but strategically important debate recently erupted between China and the United States over Taiwan. The truth is, it is really of no concern as long as the debate is placed in the category of a war of abusive language between hawkish dragon slayers ...

Commentary / Japan Sep 22, 2020

Is the world ready for a Trump re-election?

“Their eyes fixed on the ballots to be counted starting Nov. 3,” wrote Sylvie Kauffmann of Le Monde for The New York Times, “Western European leaders are hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst.” Alas, here in Tokyo, there are quite similar ...

Commentary / Japan Sep 15, 2020

Abe’s last national security legacy for Suga to complete

Tokyo is contemplating setting a new direction for national security policy to cope with missiles targeting Japan.

Commentary / Japan Sep 8, 2020

Japan's foreign policy: What's next after Shinzo Abe's exit?

Everybody seemed to know the result even before the game began. Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party formally began its extraordinary presidential election on Tuesday to choose a successor to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. According to projections by the Japanese media, incumbent Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga ...

Commentary / Japan Sep 2, 2020

Who succeeds Abe’s foreign policy?

Under his diplomatic doctrine, Abe dramatically improved relations with the United States while outstanding issues with Russia and North Korea remained unsolved.