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July 24, 2026
 

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Joshua Kurlantzick
U.S. President Donald Trump meets with the leaders of Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia after the ceremonial signing of a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 26. Hostilities between the two countries have since resumed. ?
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 16, 2025
White House 2025 Asia upheaval set to continue in 2026
Will the Trump administration learn from its counterproductive actions in Asia in 2025? It seems unlikely.
Since Donald Trump¡¯s return to the U.S. presidency, his rhetoric, tariffs and threats toward allies have helped boost left-leaning or anti-Trump candidates in elections around the world.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 20, 2025
The ¡®Trump effect¡¯ on elections is just beginning, including in Japan
Since his inauguration, the new U.S. president seems to be creating a ¡°Trump effect¡± on many, though not all, foreign elections.
There is concern about a severe decline in democracy in Asia, with many former success stories now backsliding.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 27, 2025
An Asian democracy collapse amid the new world order
By the monitoring organization Freedom House¡¯s calculations, for 19 years, democracy has eroded around the world.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping hold a bilateral meeting during the Group of 20 leaders summit in Osaka in June 2019.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 11, 2025
Trump¡¯s initial moves will benefit China
And while Trump has claimed that his policies will strengthen America, in reality, thus far, the biggest winner of many of his actions has actually been China.
Then-U.S. President Donald Trump and other Asian leaders pose for a family photo during a the ASEAN-U.S. 40th Anniversary Summit in Manila in November 2017. The U.S. president-elect¡¯s Cabinet secretary level and other picks for his second term point to a tougher China policy.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 17, 2025
What Trump¡¯s appointments tell us about his Asia policy
Donald Trump¡¯s second term as president appears set to intensify efforts to curb China¡¯s influence while maintaining crucial alliances in Asia.
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris meets with Chinese leader Xi Jinping before the APEC Leaders' Retreat in Bangkok in November 2022.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 28, 2024
How a Harris-Walz administration might handle Asia policy
While a Harris-Walz administration would likely avoid unilateral economic measures against China, it would prioritize human rights more in the relationship.
Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto speaks at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on June 1. The leader is expected to pursue an ambitious foreign policy aiming for a bigger role for Indonesia as a regional and global player.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 25, 2024
What Prabowo¡¯s presidency in Indonesia will look like
Rather than being a puppet of the outgoing Widodo, incoming President Prabowo will pursue a strong foreign policy and potentially roll back some democratic institutions.
If Donald Trump were to win a second term, his aggressive stance toward China and inclination for protectionist measures could complicate the situation for Southeast Asian nations.
COMMENTARY / World
May 8, 2024
What a second Trump term could mean for Southeast Asia
Donald Trump has made bold promises about U.S.-China policy that, if enacted, would transform the world.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 14, 2022
The U.S. midterms and what they may mean for Asia
A Democratic Party victory in both houses would probably lead to a foreign policy more focused on Asia compared to the more isolationist-leaning Republican Party.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 27, 2022
The challenges facing Washington¡¯s Indo-Pacific economic policy
Holding face-to-face meetings with Asian leaders won¡¯t gloss over the shortcomings of any initiatives offered by U.S. trade officials.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 23, 2022
How Beijing¡¯s unpopularity is undermining its global ambitions
Japan needs to team up with the U.S. and other allies to better understand and counter China¡¯s attempts to influence Southeast Asian nations.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 14, 2022
China goes all in with support for Myanmar¡¯s military regime
China believes Myanmar¡¯ military regime has the best chance of consolidating support for its rule, thereby protecting Beijing¡¯s significant investments and strategic position in the country.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 4, 2022
How Asia is responding to Russia¡¯s invasion of Ukraine
Given the lukewarm responses to calls for increased pressure on Russia so far from most South and Southeast Asian democracies, the West is unlikely to get much support in its efforts.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 3, 2022
How advocates for democracy can stop military coups
Wherever possible, elected leaders should work to build public support for constitutional changes that dilute the power of militaries.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 31, 2021
What to watch for in Southeast Asia in 2022
COVID-19 is not the only challenge countries in the region are facing in the coming year.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 28, 2021
Biden¡¯s democracy summit: Just talk or can it effect change?
Biden¡¯s summit comes at a challenging time for democracy. The global monitoring organization Freedom House called this year¡¯s report on the state of global freedom ¡°Democracy Under Siege.¡±
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 5, 2021
Lessons ASEAN could learn from Malaysia¡¯s pandemic success
Malaysia has fully vaccinated more than 77% its population, with some 90% of adults ¡ª those deemed eligible for the vaccine ¡ª receiving a second dose.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 11, 2021
Duterte¡¯s successor likely to continue Philippines¡¯ democratic regression
Another top potential contender, Duterte¡¯s daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio, is currently mayor of Davao. She seems to act with the same disregard for the law as her father.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 15, 2021
Authoritarian states¡¯ oppression reaches beyond their borders
Authoritarian powers such as China, Russia and Turkey are becoming both more autocratic at home, abroad and more influential on the world stage.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 27, 2021
Southeast Asia¡¯s democracy woes accelerate
Countries from the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar and Malaysia have regressed from robust democracies or hybrid regimes with some now turning to outright authoritarian rule.
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer¡¯s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ¡°seed¡± that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ¡°Peak 1 amyloid beta,¡± as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" ¡ª an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role
Iranian drones are displayed in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Jan. 13, 2025.U.S. officials have acknowledged that Russia has ?provided targeting ?and other support for Iran in its drone strikes on U.S. targets in the Persian Gulf region.
The sci-fi sensibilities of electronic trio Black Boboi
Black Boboi was formed in 2018 when solo artists Julia Shortreed, Utena Kobayashi and Ermhoi came together under Kobayashi¡¯s newly founded label, Bindividual.
A perfect storm: Kaze Fujii fans flock to Fuji Rock
Okayama-born singer-songwriter Kaze Fujii has carved out a distinctive place in Japanese pop since his major-label debut in 2019.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan¡¯s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan¡¯s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

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