By Julian Ryall North Korea’s claim that Japan has crossed a diplomatic “red line” by deepening its security partnerships is less about Tokyo’s defence policies than Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s decisive election victory, analysts say, as a weaker mandate may have pushed her towards negotiations with Pyongyang. With a commanding majority secured in Sunday’s poll, […]
Read MoreSanae Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister, is expected to lead the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to a decisive victory in upcoming lower house elections, according to opinion polls, marking a sharp political turnaround for a party that lost its parliamentary majority just eight months ago amid a series of internal scandals. Polls indicate […]
Read MoreTOKYO: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledged Saturday to make Japan “more prosperous and safer,” including through tougher immigration screening, in a final appeal to voters on the eve of snap elections. Opinion polls suggest that Takaichi’s ruling bloc, led by the Liberal Democratic Party, could romp home in Sunday’s vote and secure a two-thirds majority […]
Read MoreThe handbag she carries is sold out, her pink pen has gone viral and even her favourite snacks are in hot demand: Japan’s 64-year-old leader Sanae Takaichi has sparked an unlikely youth-led craze that could propel her to a big election win. Polls suggest sanakatsu, roughly translated as “sanamania”, can help give Japan’s first female […]
Read MoreTOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s party is likely to score a landslide victory in next week’s lower house election, a survey by the Asahi newspaper showed. A strong showing in Sunday’s election would solidify Takaichi’s grip on her party and give her a mandate for her expansionary fiscal policy, which could heighten concerns about […]
Read MoreTOKYO: Britain and Japan agreed to strengthen defense and economic ties, visiting Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Saturday, after his bid to forge closer links with China drew warnings from US President Donald Trump. Starmer noted that Japan and Britain were the leading economies in a trans-Pacific that includes fellow G7 member Canada, as […]
Read MoreKyodo Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and his South Korean counterpart Ahn Gyu Back decided on Friday to step up personnel exchanges between their forces amid mounting regional security challenges. At the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s (MSDF) base in Koizumi’s hometown of Yokosuka, near Tokyo, the two agreed to hold annual reciprocal visits, as ties between […]
Read MoreBy Julian Ryall A record share of the Japanese public now supports strengthening the country’s Self-Defence Forces, a new government survey shows, highlighting how sharply attitudes on national security have shifted amid Russia’s war in Ukraine, China’s expanding military activities and rising tensions on the Korean peninsula. Analysts said the shift reflects a growing sense […]
Read MoreBy Maria Siow Washington’s latest defence strategy of providing “more limited US support” to its allies is expected to damage domestic backing for leaders in Japan and South Korea and spur greater momentum among regional countries towards military self-reliance. Analysts also warn that such a realignment could lead to a “radical swing” in regional security […]
Read MoreFor much of the post-Cold War era, Japan’s relationship with Central Asia unfolded quietly. Tokyo invested in infrastructure, supported education and training, and selectively engaged in commercial projects-most notably in Kazakhstan’s energy and mining sectors. This engagement was shaped less by geopolitical ambition and more by Japan’s long-standing emphasis on “human security,” capacity building, and […]
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