One key U.S. ally enjoys unexpectedly calm bilateral relations with Iran: Japan. This is especially the case in terms of bilateral trade relations.
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Luke Austin July 1, 2022 Asia and Pacific, Latest Articles
One key U.S. ally enjoys unexpectedly calm bilateral relations with Iran: Japan. This is especially the case in terms of bilateral trade relations.
Read More »Luke Austin January 17, 2022 Asia and Pacific, Latest Articles, Security and Defence, The Policy Unit, Uncategorized
How long Kishida remains in office depends on the potentially uncomfortable choices he will have to make: as the moderate leader of a conservative-dominated party, either his old dovishness will alienate the LDP right or his new hawkishness will alienate the Japanese public.
Read More »Luke Austin November 7, 2021 Asia and Pacific, Latest Articles, Security and Defence
South Korea and Taiwan share surprisingly complex bilateral relations, especially considering that they have so much in common: they are US allies who have experienced far-reaching democratisation and economic growth in the past three decades, they are both former Japanese colonies and they both possess historical links with China.
Read More »Luke Austin September 18, 2021 Asia and Pacific, Latest Articles, Security and Defence
The future shape of Japan’s Myanmar policy depends on who wins the LDP leadership election. Despite their membership of the same political party, the candidates’ respective political positions vary considerably.
Read More »Luke Austin July 3, 2021 Asia and Pacific, Latest Articles, Security and Defence
Japan and Taiwan share complex bilateral relations. An important element of this complexity is that while the dispute over Senkaku Islands is principally between Japan and China, Taiwan also claims them as its own territory.
Read More »Luke Austin May 24, 2021 Asia and Pacific, Economic Development, Latest Articles
Owing to Central Asia’s geographical proximity and historical links to both Russia and China, it is understandable that the activities of both powers in this region receive the most attention. There is, however, one other power whose influence and activities in the region are often left out of the equation: Japan
Read More »Luke Austin February 10, 2021 Africa, Economic Development, Latest Articles
The Japanese military presence in the Horn of Africa commenced in 2009, when two Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) destroyers were dispatched to the region to participate in counterpiracy operations following an emergency order from the cabinet. In 2011, in order to facilitate this, Japan Self-Defence Force (JSDF) Base Djibouti was established.
Read More »Luke Austin December 16, 2020 Asia and Pacific, Latest Articles, Security and Defence
Despite the storm of attention generated by the regeneration of Japan's hard power capabilities under Shinzo Abe, the concept of 'soft balancing' may provide a better theoretical approach to understanding Japan's approach to international relations
Read More »Luke Austin November 14, 2020 Asia and Pacific, Latest Articles, Security and Defence
There has been extensive discussion of the challenges faced by Japan’s new Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. One major issue facing Suga which has not been analysed in depth is the ongoing territorial dispute between Russia and Japan concerning the ownership of the southern Kuril Islands.
Read More »Luke Austin October 22, 2020 Asia and Pacific, Latest Articles, Uncategorized
Shinzo Abe has caused a significant commotion recently with his resignation. What has perhaps caused just as much of a disturbance is the election of his successor, a veteran LDP politician of more humble origins by the name of Yoshihide Suga.
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