March
- Opinion
- East Asia Forum
Kishida likely casualty in Japan’s political slush fund scandal
Japan’s prime minister is unlikely to survive beyond the end of his term as LDP leader in September.
- Ben Ascione
May 2023
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.
- Michael Smith
June 2022
Japan divests some coal but still needs fossil fuels – analysts
The sale of Mitsui’s Queensland coal assets reflects Japan’s decarbonisation push but analysts say demand for Australian fossil fuels is still high.
- Michael Smith
January 2022
- Opinion
- World politics
No signs of policy reform or creativity under Kishida
When inspiration is needed, Japan’s PM seems more likely to avoid rocking the boat and to co-operate with the LDP’s conservative nationalist faction bosses.
- Ben Ascione
- Analysis
- Australia's China challenge
Japan joins the top ranks of Australian military allies
The agreement firmly ties together Australia and Japan as anchors in the southern and northern Pacific respectively.
- Andrew Tillett
October 2021
Japan goes to the polls as Kishida vows to fix economy
Japan is facing its tightest election race in a decade but PM Fumio Kishida is expected to emerge with a mandate to kick-start the world’s third-largest economy.
- Michael Smith
Japan’s Kishida woos voters with Abenomics critique
Borrowing from the opposition’s policy playbook is a tactic the long-ruling LDP has often used with success.
- Linda Sieg
Japanese PM dissolves lower house to make way for election
Fumio Kishida says he is seeking a mandate for his policies after being elected Prime Minister by parliament only 10 days ago.
- Mari Yamaguchi
Japan’s LDP manifesto focuses on coronavirus, defence
Voters want to see a government with a plan to end the pandemic and rebuild a weak economy.
- Ju-min Park
Kishida appointed Prime Minister as election looms
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party used its majority to formally elect Fumio Kishida, who will be the second premier in about a year.
- Isabel Reynolds
- Opinion
- World politics
Kishida will need to defy the odds of Japanese political longevity
The real test for the new Prime Minister will be whether he can, like Shinzo Abe, beat the trend of Japanese postwar leaders lasting only about two years.
- Leo Lewis
September 2021
The party contest won, Kishida’s next job is to convince voters
Fumio Kishida must prepare to guide the LDP not only through a general election that must be held by November, but an upper house poll next year.
- Isabel Reynolds and Shoko Oda
Japan’s former foreign minister to become PM
Fumio Kishida replaces outgoing party leader Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who is stepping down after serving only one year since taking office last September.
- Updated
- Antoni Slodkowski, Ju-min Park and Kiyoshi Takenaka
- Opinion
- Postcard from Tokyo
Will Japan’s new optimism survive PM choice?
Japan is on the mend and the vibe is upbeat. Who knows – the country’s governing party may even elect a new leader who is prepared to tackle desperately needed reforms.
- Updated
- Melanie Brock
Outcome uncertain as Japan’s ruling party votes on next PM
The winner of the contest to lead the conservative LDP is almost certain to succeed unpopular Yoshihide Suga as premier.
- Linda Sieg
Quad steps up response to China’s Belt and Road
Quad leaders want a competing Belt and Road Initiative and Prime Minister Scott Morrison says this should not be seen as ‘anti-China’.
- Matthew Cranston
Morrison’s most successful mission accomplished
Scott Morrison will fly back to Australia after stealing the limelight in the US with an alliance deal that has successfully overshadowed any criticism of his climate policies.
- Matthew Cranston
PM urges world leaders to stand up to China
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will deliver a strong message to the UN on China on its coercive tactics.
- Matthew Cranston
Biden calls on rich countries to step up vaccine donations
President said the US will buy another 500 million doses of Pfizer vaccine for donation abroad, pushing its total donation pledge above 1.1 billion jabs.
- Josh Wingrove
Biden, Morrison in lock-step for Indo-Pacific investment
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and US President Joe Biden have agreed to move “lock-step” on issues of climate change and protecting democracy.
- Matthew Cranston