Japan

A summit between Japan and North Korea? About time
A summit between Japan and North Korea? About time
North Korea keeps on surprising. While Pyongyang is busy erasing all references to unification with South Korea, it is extending an olive branch to Japan. It all began early in…
How “like-minded” are Indonesia and Japan about China?
How “like-minded” are Indonesia and Japan about China?
No one could miss recognising that the label “prevent unilateral attempts” refers to China’s activities in the South China Sea. Last year, Japan announced an official security…
A role for nuclear in Australia’s climate response?
A role for nuclear in Australia’s climate response?
Dron Parashar, writing in The Interpreter last month, notes that other countries are actively exploring nuclear options for electricity generation, while the current Australian…
Japan and the United States should pool efforts to improve health in Pacific Island countries
Japan and the United States should pool efforts to improve health in Pacific Island countries
Pacific Island countries see Japan differently than they do the United States and China. A 2023 Rand report captured this sentiment well, noting “Japan’s greatest advantage amid…
Japan in the shadow of China
Japan in the shadow of China
On a trip to Japan last month, I was struck by the surreal combination of stubborn continuity and laboured change. Compared to all major Asian capitals, Tokyo seems broadly…
How to fix Japan
How to fix Japan
Book review: The Contest for Japan's Economic Future: Entrepreneurs vs Corporate Giants by Richard Katz (OUP, 2023) There is no advanced economy more in need of fixing than…
“An awkward photo‑op”: Japan’s persistent gender problem
“An awkward photo‑op”: Japan’s persistent gender problem
During a summer break, The Interpreter will feature selected articles each day from throughout the past year. Normal publishing will resume 15 January, 2024. This article first…
Power in Asia: Six surprising facts
Power in Asia: Six surprising facts
During a summer break, The Interpreter will feature selected articles each day from throughout the past year. Normal publishing will resume 15 January, 2024. This article first…
Shifting Quad relief operations from theory to practice
Shifting Quad relief operations from theory to practice
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi likes to emphasise the “practical dimension” of the Quad grouping – working together in response to disasters, not only the four members, but…
Japan’s new golden age in Southeast Asia
Japan’s new golden age in Southeast Asia
During his keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore last year, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced a momentous shift in his country’s post-war foreign…