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 »Trouble at mill: Japan-Myanmar relations and implications of the coup for Japanese foreign policy
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 »Taiwan and the Senkaku Islands: has Suga opened a can of worms?
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 »Welcome on board the Almaty-Tokyo Express: Japan’s pragmatic diplomacy in Central Asia
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 »A long way from home: the unexpected smart power role of Japan Self-Defence Force Base Djibouti
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 »Japan: a master of soft balancing?
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 »A frozen flashpoint: how will the Kuril Islands dispute affect Russo-Japanese relations following Suga’s election?
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 »The Rise of Suga: Prospects and Problems for Japan’s New Prime Minister
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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