Japan

Japan: Can foreign policy achievements save Kishida?
Japan: Can foreign policy achievements save Kishida?
A visit to the United States this month has further added to Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio’s growing list of foreign policy achievements, even as his administration…
Australia’s Southeast Asia trade stumbling block
Australia’s Southeast Asia trade stumbling block
Australia recently announced the creation of a $2 billion Southeast Asian Financing Facility to increase trade and investment in the region. While this is a good start, to get the…
A wave of US trilaterals sends a clear message to China
A wave of US trilaterals sends a clear message to China
After months of speculation, the White House has confirmed the inaugural Trilateral Leaders’ Summit between Japan, the Philippines and the United States. On 11 April, US President…
A closer look at the rising popularity of Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa
A closer look at the rising popularity of Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa
In September 2023, Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa became the first female foreign minister of Japan in 20 years, and she has since showed off her skills as an effective…
Should Japan expand its security partnerships in the Pacific?
Should Japan expand its security partnerships in the Pacific?
This month, Japan hosted defence and security officials from 14 Pacific Island countries and Western allies for the 2nd Japan Pacific Islands Defence Dialogue. The multilateral…
The message Japan sends by backing Ukraine
The message Japan sends by backing Ukraine
Since the Russian invasion in 2022, Japan has emerged as a steadfast supporter of Ukraine. The notoriously immigration-resistant Japan has so far accepted 2,500 Ukrainian refugees…
Why Japan’s de‑risking response to China is incoherent
Why Japan’s de‑risking response to China is incoherent
While “de-risking” has only recently entered the strategic vocabulary of Western policymakers, Japan has sought to de-risk its economy from China for well over ten years. Yet, the…
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…