March
Tokyo frets about durability of US alliance ahead of Hegseth visit
While Tokyo is worried about Trump imposing tariffs on Japan on April 2, officials are also nervous because of comments from the administration about burden sharing.
January
The art of dealing with Donald Trump
The president-elect’s aggressive claims about potential territorial expansion are a crash course for allies in his negotiating tactics.
October 2024
Japan’s China paradox has lessons for Australia
Japan’s new prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, wants a more equal relationship with the US. That could spell trouble as Tokyo confronts the “deep threat” from China.
September 2024
Japan’s new ambassador has high hopes for closer ties
In an interview, Kazuhiro Suzuki says the two countries are “indispensable” to achieving peace and prosperity in a region where the shadow of China looms large.
Kishida was better on the foreign stage than at home
The outgoing Japanese PM strengthened international ties and was decisive on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, he missed the opportunity to fix the economy.
October 2023
The bizarre story behind Shinzo Abe’s assassination
Since the former prime minister was fatally shot, his killer’s claims about the influence of “the Moonies” cult group on Japanese politics have been substantiated.
August 2023
High digital stakes in new China-ASEAN deal
The danger with the digital alignment between China and ASEAN is that the rules governing cross-border data movement come to be as confusing and as restrictive as Beijing’s.
June 2023
Japan’s post-war doctrine redundant in today’s Pacific
A weakened Japan cannot imagine any other option but to embrace the US, especially in dealing with China’s rising power.
May 2023
10 long reads for the weekend
Welcome to the weekend. To start off your day, we’ve curated 10 great reads to enjoy. Have a great AFR weekend.
The pacifist from Hiroshima rebuilding Japan’s defences
Doubling down on a security agenda that hawkish former leader Shinzo Abe could only dream of, Fumio Kishida is increasing military spending and concentrating on security pacts.
April 2023
Investors take fresh look at Japanese stocks but doubts persist
An equity market foreign investors have ignored since 2018 may now represent an opportunity they cannot afford to miss.
Japan PM safe after targeted by smoke bomb
A man is in custody after throwing an apparent smoke bomb at Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
February 2023
BoJ’s new ‘dark horse’ governor sends shockwaves
Economist and academic Kazuo Ueda, a surprise appointment, will face strong market pressure to abandon the central bank’s aggressive monetary easing.
January 2023
Japan must start culling its zombie companies soon
The Bank of Japan’s decision to maintain ultra-loose monetary policy for now merely defers the euthanasia of persistently unprofitable companies.
December 2022
Japan lawmaker says China threat calls for more military spending
Koichi Hagiuda, the LDP’s policy chief and a former industry minister, cited China’s massive increase in military spending, as well as North Korean missile tests, as reasons for Japan to raise its defence budget.
From enemy to ally: Japan takes on new role in the region
Japan is reversing decades of postwar pacifism by partnering with former enemies, Australia and the United States, to take on new threats.
October 2022
Low-inflation Japan a relative oasis in a troubled world
As global recession fears intensify, Japan’s stagnant economy increasingly looks like a haven from the world’s inflation woes.
September 2022
Japan farewells Shinzo Abe with mixed emotions
World leaders gathered for the funeral embark on a diplomatic blitz as thousands of people hold protests.
Shinzo Abe’s complex legacy clouds state funeral
As Anthony Albanese and three former Australian prime ministers head to Tokyo to farewell Shinzo Abe, public opposition to the former Japanese leader’s state funeral is growing.
Morrison declines offer to attend Shinzo Abe’s state funeral
Scot Morrison, Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard have declined an offer to attend the state funeral of Shinzo Abe later this month.