Jesse Johnson - The Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS

Jun 28, 2021

As North Korea and U.S. vie for leverage, nuclear talks likely a long way off

Recent remarks by Pyongyang pouring cold water on chances of dialogue are almost certainly part of a choreographed response to a U.S. offer of unconditional talks.

ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS

Jun 16, 2021

With record warplane incursion near Taiwan, China has a message: We won't be cowed

The mission comes as Beijing faces international calls to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait and as the Chinese Communist Party's 100th anniversary fast approaches.

ASIA PACIFIC

Jun 16, 2021

China sends largest-ever number of warplanes near Taiwan

A record 28 warplanes have ventured into Taiwan's air defense identification zone just days after a G7 statement urged the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues.

JAPAN

Jun 15, 2021

G7 a missed opportunity for Tokyo-Seoul ties as Suga and Moon fail to connect

With overtures on the sidelines of the G7 reportedly spurned and denials of a possible Olympic meeting, Tokyo and Seoul appear unlikely to repair their soured ties any time soon.

ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS

Jun 14, 2021

Uniting G7 nations on China proves daunting task for Biden

G7 leaders agreed to a joint communique that singled out China by name a handful of times, but did not overtly condemn Beijing.

ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / FOCUS

Jun 9, 2021

At the G7, can Biden unite the globe’s top democracies to take on China?

At the summit in England from Friday, Biden will be working to rally the world's democratic nations — and counter China — as the globe struggles back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

ASIA PACIFIC / EXPLAINER

Jun 6, 2021

What's behind surging tensions in the Taiwan Strait?

In recent months, China has ramped up its military activities near the island as the threat of conflict in a dispute with a long and complicated history grows.

ASIA PACIFIC

Jun 3, 2021

Taiwan’s foreign minister plays down threat of war even as tensions soar

“We don't really anticipate that conflict or war are going to break out any time soon, but we are trying to get ourselves ready,” Foreign Minister Joseph Wu told a news conference.

JAPAN

Jun 2, 2021

New U.S. Indo-Pacom chief makes Japan first stop overseas

In a veiled reference to China's ramped-up pressure on democratic Taiwan, Adm. John Aquilino and Suga agreed on the “importance of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.”

WORLD

May 26, 2021

In sign of shift, top U.S. envoy to Japan visits Taiwan counterpart for first time in decades

The move is in line with what some observers have heralded as a new standard for U.S. officials' interactions with self-ruled Taiwan amid the United States' growing rivalry with China.

ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS

May 23, 2021

On North Korea denuclearization, yet another diplomatic dance for the U.S.

The U.S. says it has a new strategy — a “calibrated, practical, measured approach” toward the North's denuclearization — but will it be a departure from that of previous administrations?

JAPAN / Politics

May 11, 2021

Biden reportedly set to tap Rahm Emanuel as U.S. ambassador to Japan

The decision to nominate the former Chicago mayor, known more for his sharp tongue than his foreign policy chops, is expected to be formally announced later this month.

ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / FOCUS

May 2, 2021

'We're back': Biden uses first 100 days in office to send message to Asian allies

Officials in Tokyo have breathed a sigh of relief at the White House's renewed attention to the region, with some lauding Washington's renewed Asia focus.

JAPAN / ANALYSIS

Apr 27, 2021

British carrier's visit to Japan signals closer ties amid China tensions

When HMS Queen Elizabeth steams into the port of Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, it will signal an implicit endorsement and boost for Japan's 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific' strategy.

JAPAN

Apr 26, 2021

More than 20 new cases of Indian COVID-19 variant found in Japan

A senior government official acknowledged that it would be 'difficult' to completely stifle the variant in the country if it began to spread more widely.

JAPAN / FOCUS

Apr 14, 2021

Suga-Biden summit offers chance to hash out a plan on China

Although the summit will be largely symbolic, it'll also be a chance to cement a unified stance on China — or at least clarify how far they're willing to go together.

JAPAN / FOCUS

Apr 14, 2021

Could North Korea rain missiles on Suga and Biden's parade?

Pyongyang could conduct a missile test or unveil a new weapon as it marks a key anniversary and seeks to force itself back to the top of the U.S.-Japan agenda.

JAPAN / Politics

Apr 7, 2021

Talk of U.S.-led Beijing Olympics boycott puts Japan in tight spot

Japan has been wary of checking China on rights issues, partly out of fear of economic retaliation from its largest trading partner.

JAPAN / ANALYSIS

Apr 5, 2021

China sends aircraft carrier strike group near Okinawa in message to U.S. and Japan

The carrier and five other ships' sailing over the weekend was a signal of China's growing ability to counter U.S. and Japanese military power further from its shores, experts say.

ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / FOCUS

Apr 2, 2021

U.S. seeks to get allies 'on same page' on North Korea as policy review ends

While U.S. officials have remained mum on details of the review, Biden has put a heavy emphasis on the importance of working with allies to help craft the strategy.

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