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Jesse Johnson
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Feb 24, 2017
Beijing continuing 'steady pattern of militarization' in South China Sea
New satellite imagery appears to confirm a report earlier this week that China has nearly completed structures intended to house surface-to-air missile systems on its three largest outposts in the disputed Spratly chain of the South China Sea — "part of a steady pattern of Chinese militarization" there....
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 23, 2017
North Korean state media lambastes key ally China for 'dancing to tune of U.S.'
North Korean state-run media on Thursday served up a scathing critique of China over its recent rebuke of Pyongyang's first missile test of the year and Beijing's decision to halt imports of coal from the hermit nation, saying the moves showed China "is dancing to the tune of the U.S."
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 21, 2017
In first official comments, Beijing voices displeasure with U.S. carrier patrols in South China Sea
China voiced its opposition Tuesday to freedom of navigation patrols in the South China Sea by foreign countries that it says threaten its sovereignty — the first official comments by Beijing since a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier strike group began patrols in the strategic waterway.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 19, 2017
U.S. carrier group begins 'routine patrol' of tense South China Sea
In a move likely to stoke the ire of Beijing, the U.S. Navy's Carrier Strike Group 1, which includes the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, began what the navy called "routine operations" in the contested South China Sea on Saturday.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 18, 2017
China eyes law to bar some foreign ships from passing through territorial waters
In a move that could have ramifications for U.S. "freedom of navigation" operations in the disputed South China Sea, Beijing is set to revise a key maritime law to bar some foreign ships from passing through Chinese territorial waters.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 16, 2017
China warns U.S. against more patrols in disputed South China Sea
Beijing warned Washington on Wednesday not to challenge its sovereignty in the South China Sea amid reports that the U.S. Navy was gearing up to sail more warships near China's man-made islands in the contested waters.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 15, 2017
Ties to Japan may factor in Kim Jong Nam's mysterious murder
Fears by Kim Jong Un over his legitimacy as North Korea's hereditary leader due to his grandfather's work in a Japanese military factory may have had a role in brother's murder.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 14, 2017
U.S. to send stealth fighters, nuclear sub for military drills with South Korea next month: report
Just two days after North Korea's test-firing of a new type of medium- to long-range ballistic missile, defense officials in Seoul said Tuesday that the United States would send key strategic assets to the South for joint military exercises scheduled for next month, a report said.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 13, 2017
North Korea missile test delivers early challenge to Trump and Abe
North Korea says it successfully test-fired a new missile, presenting the administration of President Donald Trump with an early foreign policy challenge and testing his commitment to U.S. allies in Asia.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 10, 2017
U.S., Chinese military planes in 'unsafe' encounter over disputed South China Sea
A U.S. Navy reconnaissance aircraft and a Chinese military plane were involved in an "unsafe" encounter earlier this week in international airspace over the disputed South China Sea, the U.S. Pacific Command said Friday.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Feb 8, 2017
Task force report highlights 'precarious' Sino-U.S. ties, urges visit to Japan, China to help repair relations
To better signal that the U.S. has not backed away from its role as an Asia-Pacific nation amid China's rise, President Donald Trump and his senior advisers should visit U.S. ally Japan as soon as possible, according to a new report by an expert task force detailing China policy recommendations for the...
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 7, 2017
Behind the scenes, Tillerson tones down rhetoric on South China Sea
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson appears to have toned down his unexpectedly stern words on China's actions in the disputed South China Sea made during his confirmation hearings, an apparently leaked document has shown.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Feb 5, 2017
North Korea offers first foreign test to Trump administration
As U.S. President Donald Trump grapples with domestic crises and transition issues, the country that is widely seen as representing his largest foreign policy challenge is gearing up some 10,000 km away to test an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of striking the United States.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 31, 2017
Mattis reaffirms pledge to defend South Korea against 'evolving' North Korean threat
U.S. defense chief James Mattis spoke with his South Korean counterpart over the telephone Monday to reaffirm Washington's commitment to defending its Asian ally, the Pentagon said in a statement, amid concerns over North Korea's nuclear program.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 28, 2017
North Korea appears to have restarted plutonium reactor, think tank says
North Korea appears to have restarted plutonium production for its nuclear weapons program at its main Nyongbyon reactor complex, commercial satellite imagery released by a think tank showed Friday.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / GAUGING TRUMP
Jan 23, 2017
Under Trump, Asia 'pivot' security plank may rise from the ashes
With the ascension of Donald Trump to the White House, former U.S. President Barack Obama's "pivot" to Asia appears to have been burned to the ground. Its remains must yet cool, but what may ultimately emerge from the ashes could prove reassuring to Asian allies fearful of an American retreat amid China's...
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jan 18, 2017
Top Trump adviser Bolton backs U.S. forces in Taiwan, says move could lessen Okinawa burden
Amid increasingly tense Sino-U.S. ties, John Bolton, a former American ambassador to the U.N. and a top adviser to President-elect Donald Trump, has called for a closer U.S. military relationship with Taiwan to help counter a "belligerent" Beijing.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jan 16, 2017
Former U.N. chief Ban throws weight behind THAAD deployment
Former United Nations chief and presumptive South Korean presidential candidate Ban Ki-moon has backed the deployment later this year of a U.S. anti-missile system to the country amid North Korea's progress in its nuclear and missile programs.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jan 16, 2017
Chinese state media lambastes Trump on Taiwan, calls issue 'Pandora's box of lethal potential'
Chinese state-run media have lashed out at U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's recent comments on Taiwan, with one newspaper calling the issue a "Pandora's box of lethal potential" that could upend the two powers' relationship.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jan 15, 2017
Beijing says 'one-China' policy can't be bargaining chip after Trump calls principle negotiable
China has pushed back against U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's suggestions that the "one-China" policy on Taiwan is negotiable, with the Foreign Ministry in Beijing urging the incoming administration to "recognize the high sensitivity of the Taiwan question."

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