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Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan / Geoeconomic Briefing
Jul 5, 2022

The never-ending process of normalizing China-Japan ties

Shocking global geopolitical events in the past 50 years have changed the context of relations, bringing new challenges to both countries.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY
Jun 30, 2022

Trump has steered himself into a legal morass

Cassidy Hutchinson's testimony describing an attempt by Donald Trump to grab the wheel of his car on Jan. 6 revealed a lack of control in more ways than one.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jun 29, 2022

Xi to finally leave mainland China after 893 days at home

The leader will head to Hong Kong on Thursday and Friday, according to local media, for events marking 25 years of Chinese rule in the former British colony.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Jun 27, 2022

Wimbledon marks end of era free from bans and boycotts in sports

'We will continue to see increased use of sports for cultural change, for value change, for policy change. It's only going to happen more and more.”
JAPAN / FOCUS
Jun 20, 2022

Defense and fiscal policy loom large ahead of Japan's Upper House campaign

The ruling LDP is seeking to put an emphasis on defense and diplomacy, but worries over inflation threaten to limit the party's success.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jun 13, 2022

They inhabited separate worlds in Taiwan. Decades later, they collided in a California church.

David Chou — armed with two guns, four Molotov cocktails and a deep-seated rage against Taiwanese people — opened fire inside the Taiwanese Presbyterian Church in Southern California.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jun 9, 2022

Brothers at odds, but ruling family still holds key to Sri Lanka's future

Two brothers who had dominated Sri Lanka's politics for nearly 20 years have gone their separate ways.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jun 7, 2022

Five things to know about the LDP going into election

The LDP is enjoying a wide approval margin over the opposition, with nearly a 35-point lead over its nearest competitor, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 7, 2022

Putin and COVID-19 may help Kishida keep Japan’s top job for years

Kishida's tough stance on Russia's invasion of Ukraine and cautious virus response have swung previously skeptical voters behind the former foreign minister.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 31, 2022

When will Kishida fully reopen Japan's borders?

A look at the political forces that have been driving Japan's draconian stance on incoming tourism for the past two years.
COMMENTARY / Japan / Geoeconomic Briefing
May 30, 2022

What does 'normalization' really mean for Japan-China ties?

A look at the history of relations between the two countries shows a delicate balance and coexistence set against recurring tensions.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 27, 2022

The man behind Kishida’s success on the world stage

Toshimitsu Motegi has shown competency not only in international relations, but also as the LDP secretary-general, which will serve his political ambitions well.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 24, 2022

Understanding the extent of Chinese public support for Russia

The Chinese public is purported to overwhelmingly be on Russia's side amid the invasion of Ukraine, but there is little appetite for China to play an active role.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 20, 2022

The global safety net against hunger is frailer than you think

Political upheaval can accelerate food insecurity, particularly when the system is based on shaky foundations.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 13, 2022

South Korea’s new president is likely a bland centrist, and that is OK

The real divide between South Korea's right and left is over foreign policy. Change will be most evident here, and Japan particularly is likely to find a Yoon presidency easier.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 13, 2022

On Okinawa's Miyako Island, residents cast a wary eye toward China

Missiles deployed there, meant to target Chinese ships sailing in and out the Western Pacific, are the closest such weapons Japan has to China.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 13, 2022

Ranil Wickremesinghe named Sri Lankan PM for sixth time amid crisis

He replaces the president's brother, Mahinda Rajapaksa, who resigned amid deadly street protests.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
May 12, 2022

Japan’s main labor group is drawing closer to the LDP. Some say too close.

Closer ties between Rengo and the ruling LDP would deeply concern opposition leaders, who rely on the union's 7 million members for electoral support.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World / Geoeconomic Briefing
May 12, 2022

How China’s plan to reform the factor market will work to develop its economy

Government documents state that the country is aiming for “landmark achievements” in its reform efforts by 2025.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 11, 2022

No quiet retirement for Philippines' Duterte when Marcos takes over

Efforts to put the outgoing leader on trial for thousands of killings in his 'war on drugs' appear unlikely to prosper, however.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
May 6, 2022

Euroskeptic left-wing coalition could put France on collision course with Brussels

Winning next month's legislative election may be a long shot for France's new hard-left alliance, but the fact President Emmanuel Macron now faces two euroskeptic opposition blocs should cause concern among France's European Union partners.
Japan Times
WORLD
May 4, 2022

Russia seeks to annex occupied Ukraine as invasion goals shift

The Kremlin is installing occupation governments, ordering residents to use rubles and planning hastily organized referendums in some areas to open the way for full annexation.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 2, 2022

Inside China’s 'zero-COVID' fortress, Xi admits no doubts

As the lockdown of Shanghai and outbreaks in Beijing and elsewhere batter the economy, China's leader keeps a distance from the politically charged issue.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Apr 27, 2022

Solomon Islands pact with China roils Australian PM's election campaign

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison saw a hawkish stance on China as an electoral strength. But now his party is on the back foot on national security.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 25, 2022

War in a world that stands for nothing

Ukrainians, and everyone else, are learning the hard way how global capitalism trumps democracy and human rights.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Apr 25, 2022

As multiple crises unfold, Kishida forges a path to popularity

The prime minister's early success may be in part due to circumstances, but shrewd political maneuvering and quick decision-making have also played a role.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Apr 25, 2022

France's Macron defeats far-right rival in presidential election

The incumbent president comfortably defeated his far-right rival Marine Le Pen, heading off a political earthquake but acknowledging dissatisfaction with his first term.
Japan Times
WORLD
Apr 21, 2022

Macron says Le Pen risks ‘civil war’ in France over Muslim veils

Le Pen said Macron's economic policies had been a disappointment and referred to herself as the 'spokeswoman of the French people.'
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 18, 2022

South Korea's bewildering stance on the Ukraine conflict

Elevating economics and trade over politics like Seoul has done with the Ukraine invasion will haunt it — especially with China, which has long used economic leverage as a policy weapon.

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