Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Xi Jinping

Japan–China Ties Strained by Taiwan Remarks as Deeper Fault Lines Re-emerge in Asia

After several weeks marked by suspended flights, bans on Japanese seafood imports, cancelled cultural events performed to empty arenas, stepped-up military activity, and even reported fire-control radar lock-ons by fighter aircraft, relations between Japan and China remain deeply strained. While...
Japan Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi

Japan PM Takaichi Seeks Dialogue as Japan–China Tensions Flare Over Taiwan Remarks

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Wednesday that she remained “always open” to dialogue with China, even as diplomatic tensions between Tokyo and Beijing continue to simmer following her remarks on Taiwan that triggered a sharp backlash from Beijing....
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Xi Jinping

Japan Draws Sharpest Red Line Yet on Taiwan, Triggering Diplomatic Firestorm With China

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has issued the most explicit warning yet from any Japanese leader regarding a potential Chinese assault on Taiwan, declaring that such an attack would directly threaten Japan’s national survival and could trigger Tokyo’s right to...
Japan Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi

Japan: Takaichi cabinet Approves Record ¥42.8 Trillion Stimulus Package Amid Domestic and Geopolitical Challenges

The Takaichi cabinet approved a record-breaking stimulus package totaling 42.8 trillion yen (US$273.77 billion) on Friday, marking the largest fiscal expansion in Japan since the Covid-19 pandemic. The package, which includes a 17.7 trillion yen ($113.21 billion) supplemental budget, is...
Japan Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi

Japan’s Prime Minister Seeks Historic Meeting with North Korean Leader to Resolve Decades-Old Abduction Issue

Japan’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, said Monday she has formally requested a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as part of a renewed push to resolve the long-running issue of Japanese nationals abducted by Pyongyang decades ago....
Fumio Kishida

Japan’s Political Shift: Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s Surprising Decision Not to Run for LDP Leadership

In a move that has sent shockwaves through Japan’s political landscape, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced on Wednesday that he would not seek re-election in the upcoming Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership race. The decision, which comes just months before...