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November 22, 2024
 

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Michael MacArthur Bosack

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Michael MacArthur Bosack
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan / Perspectives
Dec 23, 2022
What to make of Japan’s new defense documents
Nothing in Japan's new defense documents signals an abandonment of the core principles of its security, but a refinement of roles and capabilities to match modern needs.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 13, 2022
The politics of Japan's defense spending
When Japan first imposed the 1% of GDP defense-spending ceiling , the issue has been a matter of politics and any attempt to breach that threshold has been taboo.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 16, 2022
Is the clock running out for the prime minister?
Will Prime Minister Fumio Kishida be able to recover from his political troubles, or is he on a path to join the party's long list of short-lived prime ministers?
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 25, 2022
Key takeaways from the Australia-Japan summit
The Australia-Japan summit in Perth was big on deliverables, focusing on security cooperation, China and values.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 12, 2022
Nepotism and Japan's political dynasties
The appointment of Fumio Kishida's son as an executive secretary in the Prime Minister's Office has prompted a backlash and is raising questions about nepotism.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 2, 2022
A man larger than life: Remembering Antonio Inoki
Antonio Inoki, a pro wrestler, businessman and politician, was a transformative and inspirational figure for his nation. He will be missed.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 22, 2022
Kishida would be riding high except for a political misstep
By going for a unity Cabinet, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was forced to bring in members from factions that were at greater risk of being linked with the Unification Church.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 21, 2022
Ukraine wants Japan to be a security guarantor
Given Japan is the world's No. 3 economy, and despite it's inability to grant substantive military support, Kyiv's pursuit of Tokyo's backing makes sense and would be a boon for Ukraine.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 12, 2022
How Japan's political system linked the Unification Church with lawmakers
One problem faced by Japan is that there are institutional and customary factors that allow fringe organizations to maintain access to politicians at the highest levels of government.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 11, 2022
What's behind the key appointments in Kishida’s new ‘unity Cabinet’
Selections have significant implications for what observers should expect from the government over the next year.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 15, 2022
Opposition seeks answers after heavy Upper House election defeat
Japan's Upper House election should have been a far more contested vote than it was, but the opposition once again failed to make the right moves.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 12, 2022
Dissecting Kishida’s post-election road map
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has important choices to make on how he leverages his renewed mandate and extra political capital after the LDP's strong Upper House election showing.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 9, 2022
The massive void that Shinzo Abe’s assassination has left behind
Japan's longest-serving prime minister wasn't just any other leader — he was a towering figure whose death has completely changed the nation's political landscape.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 24, 2022
Five things to know about Japan's opposition parties going into the election
Unseating incumbents is usually difficult, but media outlets and observers are giving opposition parties even less a chance than usual of scoring big wins.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jun 14, 2022
A sneak peek at the future of Japanese security policy
This year, the conference brought back a Japanese prime minister to deliver the keynote address, and Kishida took the opportunity to present his own principles for the country's security.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jun 7, 2022
Five things to know about the LDP going into election
The LDP is enjoying a wide approval margin over the opposition, with nearly a 35-point lead over its nearest competitor, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 31, 2022
When will Kishida fully reopen Japan's borders?
A look at the political forces that have been driving Japan's draconian stance on incoming tourism for the past two years.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 27, 2022
The man behind Kishida’s success on the world stage
Toshimitsu Motegi has shown competency not only in international relations, but also as the LDP secretary-general, which will serve his political ambitions well.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 10, 2022
Pure gold for Japan’s Golden Week diplomacy
More than just photo opportunities, Kishida's diplomatic engagements were meaningful — some producing major developments in Japan's bilateral relationships with important partners.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 26, 2022
Japan-New Zealand relations evolve amid a changing world
Kishida and Ardern's talks were the first in-person meeting between the two countries' heads of government since 2017 and served as an important milestone in the strategic partnership
Two of America’s biggest debt holders are dumping Treasurys
The U.S. Treasury building in Washington. Investors in Japan and China sold a pile of U.S. debt in the last quarter, just before the U.S. presidential election.
Ishiba aggravates his own political failures with diplomatic faux pas
Prime Minster Shigeru Ishiba is greeted at the APEC summit in Lima by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday. The Japanese leader was criticized for remaining seated while meeting several world leaders at the event.
Japan's 3.31 million visitors in October set monthly record
Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto in December 2023. Famous autumn leaf colors contributed to increased tourism demand last month from many markets across Asia, Europe and North America, the Japan National Tourism Organization has said.
Japan ranks last in romance satisfaction for second straight year
In a survey of 31 countries, Japan ranked last in terms of those who felt loved, with just 51% of respondents saying so.
Ruling coalition and DPP strike last-minute deal over economic policy
DPP policy chief Makoto Mahaguchi speaks at the party's policy gathering in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Japan, U.K. and Italy discuss inviting more countries to joint fighter project
A new concept model of a next-generation fighter jet to be jointly developed by Japan, Britain and Italy is on display in Farnborough, Hampshire, in July.
Haruki Murakami's 'The City and Its Uncertain Walls' gives deep deja vu
For “The City and Its Uncertain Walls,” translated into English by Philip Gabriel, Haruki Murakami confronts the ghosts who won't leave him alone.
Japanese expats in Asia find community through rugby
The Taiwan Fivewoods celebrate their victory at the 2023 Asian Japanese Rugby Cup in December of last year.
In Fukushima, a weekend of prose, poetry and translation
Aomori-based writer JJ Carter presented on tabletop gaming as creative inspiration for building characters and narratives.
For Dr. Nakamats, aging is just experience in action
Though he didn't win the recent gubernatorial election in Tokyo, the 96-year-old Dr. Nakamats' run was seen as inspirational in Japan's aging society.

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