Japan
Japan, South Korea and United States: Let’s hope for a robust, lasting pact
In a TV interview last month, South Korean Defence Minister Shin Wonsik said he will work quickly with his Japanese and US counterparts to formalise their Trilateral Security…
Philippines-Japan security pact puts China on notice
The Philippines and Japan have finalised a vital security pact after years-long negotiations. The newly-signed Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) is a de facto visiting forces deal…
Japan’s 5G ambitions with the Quad
Japan appears to be using the Quad to pursue its ambitions to promote domestic 5G network players.5G, or “advanced telecommunications” and “critical and emerging technology” in…
Diplomacy at a funeral
The helicopter crash that killed Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi came almost two years after Japan’s former prime minister Abe Shinzō was gunned down on the election campaign…
Putin goes to Pyongyang: Should we be worried?
In Pyongyang last month Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a new strategic treaty with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.This was Putin’s first visit to Pyongyang in 24…
Gas and the difficult path to net zero
The role of gas in Australia’s energy transition is fraught. Domestically, the tension is between purist greens and renewable realists. But another key issue lies overseas: 80 per…
The message behind China’s high-profile “comfort women” lawsuit against Tokyo
The history of China’s “comfort women” – a term used to describe the sex slaves of the wartime Japanese military – is a potent case illustrating the power of national identity…
The “Squad” is a welcome spin-off, but the Quad is the main game
In light of the successful first-ever US-Japan-Philippines trilateral summit and joint maritime patrols in the South China Sea involving the United States, Japan, Australia, and…
“Squad” goals: Consolidating the new quadrilateral partnership
A few days ago, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin hosted his counterparts from three allied nations – Japan, Australia and, crucially, the Philippines – in Hawaii, also home to…
Japan is insulating itself from America’s turbulent politics
Japan, the closest US ally in Asia, was in the crosshairs during Donald Trump’s presidency, despite efforts by the late prime minister Shinzo Abe to cultivate a close relationship…