2018/12/17 |
OPINION: No Country Is Safe From the US-China Trade War
The conflict between two tantrum-prone superpowers may leave no US ally unscathed.
2022/11/02 |
Japan Warily Welcomes Back International Travelers
In his parliamentary speech in October, Kishida presented his plan to revive the Japanese economy, including a pledge to increase international tourist spending beyond the pre-pandemic high in 2019.
2021/10/07 |
Hong Kong and the Future of Chinese-language Journalism
Young people are still joining journalism programs in Hong Kong despite the decline of press freedom. But will there be space for critical journalism when they are ready to publish?
2021/11/29 |
Why There Are No Grand Alliances in Asia
A regional order that excludes one great power over the other may make sense geostrategically, but be unpalatable politically.
2022/01/17 |
South Korea’s Transgender Community Pushes for Recognition and Acceptance
The issue of transgender discrimination was once again brought into the spotlight earlier in 2021, following the suicide of a soldier who was forcibly discharged from the military after a gender reassignment surgery.
2022/02/22 |
A No-fly Zone Won’t Fly in Myanmar
As long as Myanmar’s junta enjoys the support of Russia and China, there is little chance that the UN would support the idea of a no-fly zone.
2021/02/18 |
Political Repression and Authoritarian Legalism in Hong Kong
Defenders of Hong Kong’s legal system will insist that judicial independence is a prerequisite for the region’s continued wellbeing, but Beijing may reason that modern China has done well enough with its captive courts.
2023/01/16 |
No International-backed End in Sight to the Misery in Myanmar
The most likely outcome in Myanmar is that longstanding hesitation about entanglement in a wider war will discourage foreign players from taking more aggressive, interventionist approaches.
2022/04/13 |
The Russia–Ukraine Crisis and Japan’s Energy Dilemma
The war in Ukraine has led to renewed momentum for Japan to accelerate investment in energy efficiency, electrification, and renewables, which are being proposed as a solution to the global energy market turmoil.
2018/11/20 |
OPINION: US-China Hostilities Risk Leaving US Economy Cold
A new Cold War was not inevitable but now that it's here the US would do well to focus on fostering its technological prowess.
2021/12/16 |
All I Want for Christmas Is Supply Chain Resilience
The higher costs and lower reliability of international freight transport have been a problem since the start of the pandemic. Now, there are some signs that the worst is over.
2022/01/05 |
Challenges Abound for Japan’s Kishida in 2022
Kishida’s new initiative called the “new form of capitalism” has been disappointing so far.
2021/01/19 |
Rethinking Japan’s Refugee and Asylum Policy
Japan is unlikely to expand its refugee intake in the near future despite international criticism.
2021/02/05 |
Protecting the Taiwan Strait in the 21st Century
Whether the U.S. should maintain strategic ambiguity or embrace strategic clarity on Taiwan is an important but distinct question. Neither policy stands a chance of long-term success without sustained U.S. military capabilities in the Asia Pacific.
2022/02/14 |
Civic Rights for Foreign Residents Sparks Backlash in Japan
Voting rights for foreigners wasn’t an issue in Japan’s general elections last year, yet conservative mass media latched onto a proposal by the city assembly of Musashino in suburban Tokyo, making it an issue of national security.
2022/12/23 |
Japan Steps Closer to Global Military Power
The loosening of arms exports controls and proposed increase of the national defense budget to 2% of GDP over time signal paradigmatic shifts in Japan’s security posture.
2021/12/08 |
Coal Versus Money in Asia
China’s announcement that it will no longer support foreign coal-fired power plants will have little impact.
2022/09/19 |
Yoon Scrambles To Restore Domestic Confidence
With approval ratings bottoming out at 24%, President Yoon Suk-yeol carried out the first reshuffle of his office, but it's too early to tell whether the move will restore domestic confidence in his presidency.