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Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 12, 2021

Japan’s new foreign minister isn’t a pro-China ‘panda hugger’

While we must see how Hayashi handles Japan's foreign policy in the months to come, one thing is certain, China should not be optimistic that Hayashi will be different from his predecessors.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 9, 2021

Kishida's top diplomat pick highlights growing confidence

Kishida picking Yoshimasa Hayashi to be the foreign minister was a great choice for him. Had Hayashi and others not pushed Kishida, he may not have sought the country's top leadership job.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 9, 2021

Amid leadership change, CDP asks itself deep questions about its future

The next leader will need to wrestle with how to best communicate a positive vision for Japan and what to do about cooperation with the Japanese Communist Party.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 4, 2021

LDP backs Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi for party’s No. 2 role

The choice of Motegi as secretary-general underscores Kishida's desire to stabilize his power base within the party, as the appointee is close to LDP power brokers Shinzo Abe and Taro Aso.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 4, 2021

Unpacking Japan’s post-election narratives

Though the LDP maintained a stable majority, Osaka-based Nippon Ishin no Kai was the biggest winner in the election, securing 41 seats — 31 more than its previous 10.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 2, 2021

Nippon Ishin faces fundamental hurdles to further electoral success

Experts say it's likely that the party will remain official outsiders but mostly align with the ruling coalition's policies.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 19, 2021

Issue of national security looms large in Lower House campaign

The economy and fight against COVID-19 remain the top issues for voters, but they are increasingly concerned about threats from China and North Korea.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 14, 2021

Lower House dissolved as Japan shifts into election season

Kishida is heading into the vote facing a balancing act between placating conservative voters and LDP lawmakers, and seeing off a more united left-leaning opposition.
JAPAN / Politics / The LDP's game of thrones
Sep 8, 2021

With Suga's imminent departure, the battle for power has already begun

The prime minister's announcement that he would step down as leader of the LDP has set in motion a fierce race to the top.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 5, 2021

Taking stock of the LDP presidential race

With five potential outcomes and myriad players and interests in the mix, there is still a lot of ground the LDP must cover to reach the finish line in its presidential election.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 27, 2021

Population shift in Japan forces redrawing of electoral map, worrying powerful LDP figures

The plan to add representatives in urban areas at the expense of rural districts could hurt LDP heavyweights from Shinzo Abe to Toshihiro Nikai.
JAPAN / Politics / EXPLAINER
Dec 24, 2020

Generational change and policy differences test LDP-Komeito political bonds

The Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito recently marked 21 years of alliance, having ruled Japan as a coalition for 18 of those years. But are they growing apart?
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 21, 2020

Jacinda Ardern landslide is a vote for COVID-19 competence

Shutting down New Zealand's economy at a time when there'd been just 102 cases was a political gamble, but one that's paid off.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Oct 19, 2020

Jacinda Ardern’s stunning election victory holds lessons for U.S.

Ardern's message of empathy and kindness contrasts starkly with the divisive politics in the U.S. as Donald Trump and Joe Biden face off.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 14, 2020

New Zealand gives U.S. a lesson in pandemic democracy

The U.S., a nation founded on the principle that all people are created equal and endowed with inalienable rights, would do well to heed the example given by New Zealand.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jun 11, 2020

‘Why You Can’t Be Prime Minister’: A Sisyphean slog toward the top office

Shinzo Abe has been with us for so long now, it’s easy to forget that there was a time when Japan’s premiership seemed to rotate as frequently as the membership of AKB48.

Longform

Bear attacks have dominated Japanese news headlines in recent months, with 13 people so far having been killed by the animals.
Japan’s bears have been on their killing spree for more than 100 years