author

 
 

Meta

Twitter

@jljzen

Jesse Johnson
Japan Times
WORLD
Nov 18, 2020
U.S. Aegis warship successfully intercepts mock ICBM in first-of-its-kind test
The test could give the incoming U.S. administration a potent new weapon for defending against North Korean long-range missiles.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Nov 13, 2020
Taiwan Defense Ministry, Pentagon deny U.S. Marines' presence for training
Taiwan's Defense Ministry and U.S. Defense Department have denied reports of U.S. Marines visiting the island to train Taiwanese forces.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 9, 2020
After sending congratulatory note, Suga ponders his approach to Biden
Moving from Trump's impetuous style to a more conventional approach will be an abrupt change for Tokyo, which has grown accustomed to the president's mercurial manner.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 4, 2020
Future direction of U.S.-Japan relationship in balance as election results stall
Tokyo mum as it watches Washington edge toward an electoral crisis that threatens to take American focus off of the region.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Nov 4, 2020
Malabar military exercises with 'Quad' nations begin in message to China
It is unclear if the exercises will ultimately be formalized within the loose architecture of the Quad, but experts say this year's drills are a step in that direction.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 1, 2020
Whether it's Biden or Trump, allies fret being forgotten amid U.S. turmoil
No matter who emerges as the victor in Tuesday's U.S. presidential election, one thing is clear: The winner's focus will turn immediately to domestic issues.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Oct 28, 2020
Once unimaginable, some now debating return of U.S. forces to Taiwan
A recent essay in a U.S. Army journal contends that a military presence is necessary to deter an increasingly capable Chinese military from an attack on the island.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Oct 12, 2020
North Korea's new missile: political ploy or game-changing weapon?
Observers say that as Pyongyang's capabilities grow, U.S. military planners could become more reluctant to stand up to North Korean coercion in the Indo-Pacific.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Oct 11, 2020
North Korea unveils massive new missile in move U.S. calls 'disappointing'
Ultimately, the message the North could be trying to convey is that its nuclear weapons are here to stay, said a North Korea expert from MIT.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Oct 8, 2020
At North Korean military parade, get ready for 'something big'
Pyongyang may use its 75th anniversary event Saturday to show off larger, heavier missile systems and launchers — and put the U.S. and Japan on notice.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Oct 7, 2020
'Quad' meeting in Tokyo prizes symbolism over substance
With China the elephant in the room, just showing up may have been part, if not the main point, of the dialogue for the U.S., Japan, India and Australia.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 6, 2020
Japan records most negative view of China as unfavorable opinions surge, survey finds
The jump in negative views of China comes amid widespread criticism over Beijing's global response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 6, 2020
Suga clears first diplomatic hurdle in meeting with Pompeo
The meeting with the top U.S. diplomat at the Prime Minister's Office took place ahead of a dialogue among foreign ministers from the so-called Quad countries.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Oct 5, 2020
Japan looks to balance China concerns as the 'Quad' comes to Tokyo
Trump's hospitalization and worsening presidential fortunes are likely to preclude any bold statement from the top Japanese, Australian, Indian and U.S. diplomats.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Sep 30, 2020
U.S. military patch depicting drone and China stirs anger in Beijing
Chinese media reacts furiously after U.S. airmen show off patch of an MQ-9 Reaper drone superimposed over a red silhouette of China during an island assault exercise.
Japan Times
WORLD
Sep 29, 2020
White House wants to know how fast nukes could be pulled out of storage, report says
The report comes as talks over extending the last remaining strategic arms control agreement between the U.S. and Russia remain deadlocked.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Sep 21, 2020
First Suga-Trump talks go off without a hitch, but challenges still ahead
U.S.-Japan alliance seen as focal point of the new prime minister's one-on-one talks with Trump, but questions remain over whether Suga will be able to preserve the status quo.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Sep 21, 2020
U.S. and North Korea came much closer to war than previously thought, book claims
Book by journalist Bob Woodward details scores of instances that highlight the unease felt by top U.S. officials amid the 'fire and fury' of the 2017 crisis.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 20, 2020
Taiwan president says she has no plans to talk to Japan's Suga
Tsai Ing-wen's remarks came after China's Foreign Ministry warned Tokyo that such talks “will never happen.”
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 19, 2020
Suga may look to end decades of silence and hold talks with Taiwan's Tsai
Such talks — which would be the first since formal diplomatic ties were severed in 1972 — would almost certainly stoke anger in China.

Longform

Visitors walk past Sou Fujimoto's Grand Ring, which has been recognized as the largest wooden structure in the world.
Can a World Expo still matter? Japan is about to find out.