East Asia
Japan and EU Forge Strategic Defense Pact Amid Rising Tensions in Indo-Pacific
In a historic move on Nov. 1, Japan and the European Union joined together in formalizing a security and defense partnership aimed at addressing growing problems within the Indo-Pacific region. The pact signifies a deepening relationship between Tokyo and Brussels, as both raise concerns over increasing Chinese influence as well as heightened Russian military aggression.
Shigeru Ishiba: Japan’s New Prime Minister
On Oct. 1, Japan’s new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba was sworn into office. Ishiba is a member of the ruling LDP (Liberal Democratic Party), the same party as previous Prime Ministers Fumio Kishida and the late Shinzo Abe.
Japanese Warship Sighted in the Taiwan Strait for the First Time
This past Wednesday, a Japanese warship sailed through the Taiwan Strait for the first time. Government officials reported to Yomiuri Shimbun that the JS Sazanami would complete exercises within the South China Sea, a territory contended between China and Taiwan.
Revisionism or Revanchism: Japan’s New Foreign Policy
On April 14, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida sat down with CNN to discuss his upcoming summit with President Biden. During the discussion, Kishida discussed the rising tensions around the world as well as how Japan’s foreign policy is acclimating to the new geopolitical environment.
China, Japan, and South Korea Vow to Restart Cooperation Summits
“We three ministers agreed to restore and normalize three-nation cooperation at an early date,” stated the South Korean foreign minister, signaling a resumption of talks in 2024.
Commonality or Confrontation? Sino-Japanese Relations at APEC and Beyond
At the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit this weekend, all eyes were on the United States and China, but Xi Jinping was looking to shore up ties with another country as well: Japan.
Japan and South Korea Deepen Clean Energy Cooperation
As threats loom and energy resources grow scarce, Japan and South Korea find themselves increasingly pushed together - despite their historical animus.
A New Chapter: Japan and South Korea Soften Relations
On Sunday Oct. 21, Japan, South Korea, and the US conducted their first joint aerial exercise near the Korean Peninsula. The exercise comes on the heels of revived tensions between North Korea and its two Northeast Asian neighbors, as well as continued efforts to soften South Korean-Japanese relations due to the growing threat of China.
The Plight of Japan’s Imperial Family
For years, Japan’s imperial family has struggled to find heirs. Now, the Japanese government hopes to reform the system, and in doing so, preserve a lineage that claims to have stood for over 2,000 years.
Breaking Up the Unification Church of Japan
Last year’s assassination of the Japanese former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe launched a year-long examination into the Unification Church, ending on Friday, October 13, 2023, with the Japanese government officially asking the Tokyo District Court to legally dissolve the Church.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Attacked By Political Radical
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was attacked by a man at a fishing port in Wakayama, a prefecture in Japan.
US, Japan, and South Korea Hold Joint Anti-Submarine Drill Against North Korea
On April 3 and 4, the US, Japan, and South Korea held a joint anti-submarine drill to prepare for a potential conflict with North Korea.
Korean President Yoon Meets with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida
President Yoon Suk-yeol flew to Tokyo to meet Prime Minister Kishida on March 16th, which is the first official Korea-Japan summit in 12 years.
Japanese Foreign Minister Meets With Chinese Counterparts In Munich, Germany
On February 18, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi met with his Chinese and South Korean counterparts, Wang Yi and Park Jin.
Japan To Significantly Expand Its Military Spending Over Next Five Years
Japan will set a new target for its military spending over the next five years to 43 trillion yen ($318 billion) in total.
Japan joined NATO Cyber Defense Center and deepened cooperation in techs with its members
On November 4, the Japanese Ministry of Defense (JMOD) officially declared that Japan “will formally join NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence’s (#CCDCOE) activities, following the completion of participation procedures.