September - October 2024
The recent US presidential debate revealed significant differences between candidates Trump and Harris on foreign policy. Trump proposed pressuring allies like South Korea for defense costs, while Harris […]
Over two months in July and August, South Korea faced major unpredictable international political challenges. US presidential election prospects, changing rapidly, have become unsettled by the attempted assassination […]
May and June can be characterized as a period marked by efforts to enhance relations with China and proactive engagement across multiple fronts in Asia and Africa, while […]
The unfolding events in South Korea between March and April 2024 demonstrate a dynamic environment influenced by complex diplomatic strategies and regional tensions. The South Korean general elections […]
South Korea and the United States have decided to begin negotiation this year to conclude the 12th Special Defense Cost-Sharing Agreement (SMA), which will take effect from 2026. […]
In mid-2024, Chinese analysts assessed the strength and efficacy of ASEAN in the context of intensifying China–US competition. They explored the impact of this major power competition on […]
In early 2024, Chinese analysts assessed India’s efforts to assert greater influence in the Global South. One article evaluated India’s attempts to replace China as the leader of […]
In early 2024, Chinese analysts carefully examined developments in the Indo-Pacific. They explored the differences between India and Japan as regional powers and the reasons for each country […]
During the winter of 2023–4, Chinese analysts devoted significant attention to developments in the Indo-Pacific, with particular attention to the role of India. One analyst examined the relationship […]
In late 2023, Chinese analysts devoted significant attention to the Indo-Pacific. One analyst examined the implementation of the US Indo-Pacific Strategy under the Biden administration, while evaluating internal […]
In the summer of 2024 Japanese were reflecting on Prime Minister Kishida’s legacy following his announcement that he would step down in September, were following Russia as its […]
In the waning summer of the Kishida administration, Japanese were concerned about a fast-deteriorating international environment. High hopes on the G7 continued, linked to praise of how the […]
Despite Chinese efforts to revitalize economic relations with Japan, the spring of 2024 saw no resurgence of optimism. The shadow of China’s boycott of Japanese marine products as […]
On February 16 Yomiuri discussed a proposed law making it easier to share secrets and conduct joint research. This aimed to raise Japan to the international level for […]
Through the winter of 2024, as Kishida Fumio suffered low ratings amid an LDP funding scandal, foreign affairs were a secondary concern. End-of-year and start-of-year meetings kept relations […]
Through the summer of 2024 no issue related to East Asia drew more attention than ongoing troubles in Sino-Russian bilateral trade. Other themes were Sino-US relations, China’s economic […]
Putin’s May trip to China and June trips to North Korea and Vietnam showcased the Asian axis of his pursuit of a new world order. Some commentators abroad […]
China, Sino-US relations, North Korea, India, and the BRICS as well as a possible Japan-North Korea summit drew attention in Russian publications in the first months of 2024. […]
Vladimir Putin’s visit to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI, or One Belt One Road (OBOR) in Russian eyes) summit in Beijing, Xi Jinping’s summit with Joe Biden […]
Favorite themes in Russian publications in the late summer and fall of 2023 were the BRICS summit—a symbol of a new world order led by Russia and China—the […]
OPEN FORUM
Consumer Buycotts and Supply Chain Diplomacy:Japan’s Responses to China’s Seafood Ban
August 24 marked the one-year anniversary of Japan commencing the discharge of ALPS treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean.1 Despite a positive report […]
Victor Ferguson
National Commentaries
“ROK-Australia-Japan Cooperation”
A Perspective from the ROK
The South Korean perspective toward ROK-Australia-Japan cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region is distinctive, given divergent threat perceptions and sensitivity to Chinese responses. What makes South Korea distinctive from […]
Dongkeun Lee
A Perspective from Australia
Amid a proliferation of new minilateral groupings in the Indo-Pacific, there is fresh momentum building behind a new arrangement: a trilateral featuring Australia, Japan and South Korea. On […]
Tom Corben
A Perspective from Japan
On the eve of a critical US presidential election, US allies would be well advised to prepare for any eventualities. Donald Trump’s “America First” thinking leaves all uncertain […]
Ryosuke Hanada