Commentary | COUNTERPOINT Sep 23, 2017
In Japan under Shinzo Abe, more power to the PM, but to what end?
by Jeff Kingston
In his final Counterpoint column, Jeff Kingston considers where Japan is heading under scandal-hit Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Asia Pacific Feb 28, 2017
China threatens boycotts after South Korea missile defense decision
Chinese state media has reacted with anger and threats of boycotts after the board of an affiliate of South Korea's Lotte Group approved a land swap with the South Korean government that will enable authorities to deploy a U.S. missile defense system. The government decided ...
National Oct 22, 2016
Japan, U.S. to hold first joint drill following National Security Law revision
The Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. military will hold their first joint drill assuming the application of Japan's national security laws, the Defense Ministry has said. The new laws, enacted last year, allow the SDF to conduct operations including logistic support for U.S. and other ...
Editorials Oct 18, 2016
SDF's expanding missions
Lawmakers in the Diet should once again scrutinize how far the administration intends to expand the SDF's overseas missions under Abe's call for "proactive contribution to peace" and how that should be controlled.
World Oct 11, 2016
U.N. warns of spiraling South Sudan violence as Japan looks to give SDF troops riskier roles in country
A road ambush blamed on South Sudanese rebels left 21 people dead over the weekend, police said Monday, as the U.N. warned of a surge of violence in the African nation that Japan hopes to use as a test-case for enhanced Self-Defense Force missions. The ...
National Sep 14, 2016
Japan's new defense chief to visit U.S., South Sudan
Defense Minister Tomomi Inada will visit the United States to hold talks with her U.S. counterpart Ashton Carter on Thursday, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday. The meeting that comes as the two countries eye closer cooperation under Japan's new security legislation. The talks between Inada and ...
Editorials Mar 29, 2016
Security legislation takes effect
Japan's postwar defense posture underwent a major change this week as new security legislation took effect, but how the government plans to implement the laws remains unclear.
National / Crime & Legal Mar 8, 2016
Tokyo court rejects retrial bid over 1959 ruling that U.S. military's presence in Japan is constitutional
by Shusuke Murai
The Tokyo District Court on Tuesday dismissed a retrial request over a 1959 Supreme Court ruling that found the U.S. military's presence in Japan constitutional. The 1959 ruling is often referenced by proponents of security policy reforms to justify the use of the right to ...
National / Politics Mar 1, 2016
Abe cites need for Japan to fully exercise right to collective self-defense
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe suggests that the Constitution should be amended to give Japan the power to fully exercise the right to collective self-defense.
Commentary / Japan | SENTAKU MAGAZINE Feb 25, 2016
Supreme Court, Abe battle over judicial independence
The Supreme Court is locked in a war with the Abe administration over the independence of the judicial branch.
Commentary / Japan Oct 30, 2015
Japanese pacifism is not the moral choice
by Yukari Easton
Only in Japan is unilateral pacifism considered viable, but in a world of new threats a policy of sympathetic indifference is morally questionable.
Commentary / Japan Oct 30, 2015
Gauging Abe's 'proactive contributions to peace'
by Jeffrey W. Hornung
While Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has talked a good game about Japan playing a bigger international role, his track record so far shows little has changed.