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 Michael MacArthur Bosack

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Michael MacArthur Bosack
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 15, 2022
Here are the big takeaways from the Japan-Philippines security meetings
The Japan-Philippines two-plus-two meeting was a big step for establishing the policy architecture necessary for evolving bilateral ties.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 30, 2022
Russia's war of aggression and Asia’s great reset
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has led to tectonic shifts in the strategic environment around the world, and Northeast Asia is no exception.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 3, 2022
LDP power broker Taro Aso's fortunes begin to fade
Aso has a difficult choice: He can play the role of elder statesman and let the LDP milk the last ounce of politicking out of him, or serve in the vice presidential position for life.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 24, 2022
From the Ukraine crisis emerges a more resolute Japan
Japan's willingness to declare concretely Russia's Ukraine actions as illegal and in violation of standing agreements is notable, as is its engagement with other world leaders.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 11, 2022
How ‘free-riding Japan’ came to embrace security multilateralism
Tokyo's foreign policy has seemed to take to heart the message from an old proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 14, 2022
Takeaways from Japan’s recent security meetings
Some observers have interpreted Japan's effort to foster relationships with other security partners as a sign of fissures in the U.S.-Japan alliance.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 12, 2022
Understanding Kishida's political landscape for 2022
To champion his own policy agenda, Kishida will have to wait and see how much political capital he has after the next Upper House election.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 22, 2021
How Japan-North Korea relations changed under Kim Jong Un
Last Friday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un marked 10 years in power. Recent observers have focused on nuclear weapons and diplomacy with South Korea and the United States, but there are under-discussed considerations related to Japan-North Korea ties.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 19, 2021
Looking back on Japan’s secrets protection law
The operative assumption from critics of the secrets legislation was that the new law would restrict freedom of information and make the Japanese government increasingly opaque.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 30, 2021
Center-left Kishida endorses bold moves in security realm
It's unlikely Kishida will usher in drastic changes that have not already been gestating inside the LDP and Defense Ministry, but it will be important to see which items gain top priority.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 17, 2021
Shinzo Abe became a faction boss. Now comes the tough part.
The former prime minister now leads the biggest LDP faction, but that doesn't automatically mean he will become kingmaker of the party
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 16, 2021
Tokyo and Canberra quietly reach a major security milestone
Japan and Australia reached a major milestone in their security relationship when, for the first time ever, the SDF executed an 'asset protection' mission with a non-U.S. military unit.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 9, 2021
Kishida's top diplomat pick highlights growing confidence
Kishida picking Yoshimasa Hayashi to be the foreign minister was a great choice for him. Had Hayashi and others not pushed Kishida, he may not have sought the country's top leadership job.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 2, 2021
What to make of Japan’s prediction-defying election
When the counting stopped, the ruling coalition defied expectations — only losing a net total of 12 seats.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 20, 2021
The LDP says the party will double Japan’s defense spending. Can it?
Abe waited until after the 2013 Upper House election to roll out his new National Security Strategy. The Kishida government will probably do the same.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 12, 2021
How the LDP keeps winning
It's precisely because of the LDP and Komeito's massive vote-generating machine that the ruling coalition has an edge over the opposition in the coming election.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 4, 2021
What Kishida's Cabinet picks tell us
It is important to look at not only who gets tapped, but which LDP factions they represent.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan / Perspectives
Oct 1, 2021
How Kishida can avoid becoming another revolving-door prime minister
The new LDP president will focus on expanding his power, implementing policies that benefit the electorate and ensuring success in the upcoming elections before widening his policy window.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 27, 2021
Who the opposition wants to win the LDP presidential race
The opposition are strategizing on how to erode the ruling LDP-Komeito coalition's Lower House majority, a task all the more difficult without knowing who their principal opponent will be.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 22, 2021
Will Japan’s next PM take a shot at constitutional amendment?
An important political factor at play here is that every single LDP candidate has to voice support for constitutional amendment if they hope to win the party presidential race.

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