Japan

As South Korea and Japan pick a fight, don’t expect Trump to care
As South Korea and Japan pick a fight, don’t expect Trump to care
Relations between South Korea and Japan are spiralling downward – again. This is a depressingly regular event. Every few years, these neighbours slide into a serious spat, driven…
With US out of favour and China doubts, Duterte turns to Tokyo
With US out of favour and China doubts, Duterte turns to Tokyo
As the Philippines gears up for 13 May midterm elections, debate over Manila’s strategic alignment between China and the US has been one area of serious contestation. Opponents of…
Tokyo may be happy about Hanoi, but has a lot more to worry about
Tokyo may be happy about Hanoi, but has a lot more to worry about
According to numerous commentators, the country happiest with the “no deal” outcome for the Kim-Trump summit in Hanoi last week was Japan. Fearful that President Donald Trump…
What I missed last year: Japan, the unlikely overachiever
What I missed last year: Japan, the unlikely overachiever
A series where Lowy Institute experts look back on what surprised them in 2018. Surveying international news headlines from 2018, you’d be forgiven for believing that the…
“The whales have won” – even as Japan sharpens its harpoons
“The whales have won” – even as Japan sharpens its harpoons
It might seem odd to see a glimmer of hope for conservation of the world’s whales, at the very time Japan has announced it will unilaterally withdraw from global whaling…
Steady but slow in Australia-Japan security cooperation
Steady but slow in Australia-Japan security cooperation
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s recent visit to Darwin was rightly billed as historic and “deeply symbolic”. It also delivered some substance, with the announcement of…
Abe’s visit to Australia: raising the stakes
Abe’s visit to Australia: raising the stakes
Japan’s Prime Minister Abe Shinzo is scheduled to visit Australia this week on the heels of attending the ASEAN Summit. While there have been regular prime ministerial exchanges…
Modi and Abe: judgement waits on India-Japan ties
Modi and Abe: judgement waits on India-Japan ties
India and Japan have forged a special strategic and global partnership over the years, and Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shinzo Abe have developed a personal and special…
Japan’s immigration and integration questions
Japan’s immigration and integration questions
Japan is widely considered one of the most monocultural and insulated countries in the world. This is reflected in the contradictions in its immigration policy. Japan is not…
Japan’s complicated relationship with coal power
Japan’s complicated relationship with coal power
At first glance, it appears a sea change is underway in how Japanese banks and financial firms treat fossil fuels. According to a comprehensive study released by 350.org in…