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Mark J. Valencia
For Mark J. Valencia's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 26, 2021
Japan, the U.S. and Vietnam not on same page with China
Vietnam knows that the unpredictable giant China will always be there, while the U.S. and its allies' presence in the region is fickle and fleeting.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 6, 2019
Lessons of the Japan-South Korea maritime spat
The confrontation has implications for the rest of Asia, and the United States.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 6, 2018
U.S. makes up lost diplomatic ground over South China Sea
After setbacks, the U.S. is making progress in its diplomatic struggle with China.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 14, 2017
'Quad' cooperation in the South China Sea?
Australia, Japan and India are unlikely to risk antagonizing China by joining U.S. freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 13, 2017
Why U.S. South China Sea policy is failing
Rather than fight a long term losing battle at the expense of Southeast Asian nations as well as that of peace and stability in the South China Sea, the U.S. should be proactive, accept reality and share power with China in its own backyard.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 21, 2017
Hypocrisy in the South China Sea
There are no 'innocents' in the South China Sea — only degrees of rationalization.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 23, 2017
Trump's South China Sea policy taking shape
The Trump administration's policy regarding the South China Sea is a continuation of the Obama administration's policy but with more emphasis on the military dimension.
COMMENTARY / World
May 14, 2017
Trump's troubling South China Sea policy
For those nations that believed in and depended on the U.S. to defend them and their shared principles, Trump has kicked off a whole new ball game fraught with uncertainty.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 3, 2017
Compromise with Kim beats status quo
It's time for a bold approach of addressing North Korea's genuine fears in return for a freeze of its nuclear weapons and missile development programs.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 17, 2017
Trump will leave analysts guessing on U.S.-China ties
Analysts trying to parse U.S. policy in the Trump era regarding the South China Sea must be prepared for stark contradictions and intellectual whiplash.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 23, 2017
As Trump takes office, U.S. China bashers have a field day
Statements being made by American officials overestimate U.S. power and resolve, and underestimate those of China. That is how wars start.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 17, 2017
Perilous South China Sea plan
If the U.S. pursues U.S. Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson's South China Sea position as policy, it will almost certainly mean high tension, instability and conflict in the region.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 17, 2016
What does Trump mean for the South China Sea dispute?
U.S.-China relations in general — and particularly in the South China Sea — are likely in for a rough patch.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 30, 2016
Behind Manila's pivot to China
America's colonial rule still casts a long shadow over the Philippines and its relationship with the U.S.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 15, 2016
Prelude to war with China?
The South China Sea contretemps has taken a decided turn for the worse.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 25, 2016
Parsing the Sunnylands Declaration 'principles'
The Sunnylands Declaration is full of false hopes and disengenousness.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 15, 2016
Deceit and hypocrisy in the South China Sea
The deceit and hypocrisy of nearly all the claimants and major actors are complicating and confusing the issues in the South China Sea.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 27, 2016
Implications of the U.S. Navy's FONOP program
When the U.S. last fall sent a warship on a Freedom of Navigation Operation near a Chinese-occupied reef, the message was unfortunately both confused and confusing.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 14, 2015
Singapore in the thick of U.S. strategy on China
Singapore may not want to admit it, but it is now part of the U.S. military challenge to China — and the risk that entails.
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 17, 2015
Maritime security cooperation in Asia: visions and realities
In Asia, multilateral maritime security regimes are not robust, but what exists is a start — a shaky foundation — that hopefully can be firmed up and built upon.

Longform

Later this month, author Shogo Imamura will open Honmaru, a bookstore that allows other businesses to rent its shelves. It's part of a wave of ideas Japanese booksellers are trying to compete with online spaces.
The story isn't over for Japan's bookstores