By Akio Tanaka
Tokyo-based correspondent covering Japanese politics, economy and the region from a Japanese vantage.
Japan's Rearming Ambition Hits Hard Limits: Manpower, Demographics, and Strategy
Japan's defense budget has reached 1.9% of GDP, but manpower shortages and demographic decline threaten sustainability. The southwestern isl
From Tokyo: Iran Conflict Erodes Japan's Trust in US Leadership
Japanese media polls show 75-86% opposition to US-Israel attacks on Iran. Tokyo officials worry about a power vacuum in East Asia as US forc
Japan's Care Robot Ambitions Still Fall Short of Human Touch
Japan leads the world in care robot development, but lab tests reveal a wide gap between controlled demonstrations and real-world care envir
Japan's Military Normalization: Why It's Time to Scrap Postwar Constitutional Constraints
Japan's cabinet approved revisions to arms export regulations in April, allowing sales of lethal equipment. The country is deepening defense
Japan's Balancing Act: Energy Ties With Russia vs. Defense Support for Ukraine
A Sakhalin-2 oil tanker arrived at Imabari in May, highlighting Japan's continued reliance on Russian energy. Meanwhile, Japanese drone firm
A Tang Spring Outing: How a Handscroll Survived an Emperor's Flight
A Song dynasty copy of a Tang painting captures the elegance and fragility of Emperor Xuanzong's court. The work, now in Liaoning, shows Lad
Takaichi's Vietnam and Australia Visits Redefine Japan's Role in Asia
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visits Vietnam and Australia to advance energy security and critical minerals partnerships. A foreign
Idemitsu Maru's Hormuz Passage Echoes Japan's 1953 Oil Blockade Break
The Panama-flagged, Japanese-owned VLCC Idemitsu Maru has passed through the Strait of Hormuz carrying 2 million barrels of Saudi crude. The
Japanese Parties Push PM Takaichi for Stronger Action on Hormuz Energy Crisis
Japan's LDP policy chief Takayuki Kobayashi urged PM Takaichi to consider post-conflict minesweeper deployment in the Hormuz crisis. Opposit
Japan's Defense Shift: Preparation, Not Pacifism, Drives New Arms Export Rules
Japan's cabinet approved a revision to arms export principles, allowing sales to 17 countries. Analysts say the shift is a pragmatic respons
Prime Minister Takaichi's Constitutional Focus Raises Economic Concerns Amid Regional Instability
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's focus on revising Japan's pacifist constitution is intensifying worries over her economic agenda. The shift
Iran Conflict Strains Japan's Supply Chains, Tests Regional Crisis Response
Japan is activating emergency measures to manage supply chain disruptions stemming from the Iran conflict, deploying financial support and t