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July 25, 2026
 

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Kazuto Suzuki
The U.S. is recasting its national security strategy around economic resilience and Western Hemisphere priorities as it confronts vulnerabilities exposed by dependence on critical Chinese minerals, supply chains and key inputs.
COMMENTARY / World / Geoeconomic Briefing
Apr 19, 2026
Why economic security is central to U.S. national security
No previous U.S. national security strategy has incorporated economic security to this extent. Why, then, has it become so prominent during Trump¡¯s second term?
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's growth strategy is not merely about domestic economic expansion. It is a geoeconomic and security strategy aimed at elevating Japan¡¯s status in the international system.
COMMENTARY / Japan / Geoeconomic Briefing
Jan 12, 2026
Takaichi¡¯s twin challenges: Economic growth and security
Takaichi has long stressed the importance of economic security, both since becoming prime minister and before that as minister of state for economic security.
Only a country with absolute indispensability in critical goods ¡ª like China ¡ª can withstand Donald Trump and America¡¯s tariff onslaught.
COMMENTARY / Japan / Geoeconomic Briefing
Oct 7, 2025
Trump weaponizes American trade policy
The U.S. may have an indispensable domestic market for some trading partners, but China has indispensable goods and America cannot easily substitute for them.
U.S. President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office on Wednesday. His push for quick wins through tariffs and other measures is risking trade turmoil with key allies like Japan.
COMMENTARY / World / Geoeconomic Briefing
Apr 28, 2025
Is there a method behind the Trumponomics madness?
Washington¡¯s policies are treading and often crossing a fine line between political jostling and economic strategizing.
Kumamon, the official mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture, poses in front of a sign of Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing, a subsidiary of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., at TSMC's then new factory in Kikuyo, Kumamoto Prefecture, in February 2024.
COMMENTARY / Japan / Geoeconomic Briefing
Mar 3, 2025
In chip renaissance, Japan is learning from past mistakes
In the 1980s, Japan dominated semiconductor production. Fast-forward to today and the country is trying to recapture its past glory, this time with a more outward-looking strategy.
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris spar during the presidential debate on Sept. 10. Both are seeking to win over voters in swing states such as those of the Rust Belt, where America's economic security policies are acutely felt.
COMMENTARY / World / Geoeconomic Briefing
Nov 5, 2024
The prospects for economic security under Trump or Harris
Both the Democratic and Republican campaigns need Rust Belt voters on their side, but their strategies to protect American economic interests differ significantly.
Economic security has evolved to include offensive measures, such as industrial policy. Countries like Japan are increasingly on-shoring strategic industries such as semiconductors, regardless of the cost.
COMMENTARY / Japan / Geoeconomic Briefing
May 7, 2024
The shift from economic security to geoeconomics
Economic security started out as a defensive concept, but it has now been weaponized to include an offensive element, morphing into a geoeconomic tool.
COMMENTARY / World / Geoeconomic Briefing
May 25, 2023
Why the G7 has significance as a collective economic defense mechanism
As the G7 chair and as a country taking economic security policy measures ahead of others, Japan is in a position to take a leadership role and help work against economic coercion.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World / Geoeconomic Briefing
Jan 31, 2023
Why the semiconductor competition between the U.S. and China is significant
Washington is trying to strengthen the superiority of the U.S. and other Western countries in areas of technology so that it becomes difficult for China to catch up.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World / Geoeconomic Briefing
Oct 3, 2022
How effective are the West¡¯s sanctions on Russia?
With Russia still able to sell crude oil and gas to other nations, the country is still pulling in money to fund its war in Ukraine, leaving the real effect of economic sanctions unclear.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan / Geoeconomic Briefing
Aug 11, 2022
How Shinzo Abe left a legacy for Japan in geoeconomics
As well as being instrumental in the establishment of the ¡®Quad¡¯ grouping, Abe was key to Japan¡¯s work on setting up the CPTPP trade agreement.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan / Geoeconomic Briefing
Aug 4, 2022
What role should Japan play as the Russia-Ukraine war shakes the international order?
Executives of the Asia Pacific Initiative discuss the part Tokyo should play as Russia¡¯s invasion of Ukraine approaches six months.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World / Geoeconomic Briefing
Jul 26, 2022
Why sanctions are failing to stop Russia¡¯s attack on Ukraine
While Russia seems wary of interventions by the U.S. or NATO, and is trying to avoid them, economic sanctions placed on Moscow have done little to halt the war.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World / Geoeconomic Briefing
Jul 19, 2022
Will the war in Ukraine change the international order?
While the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues, Japan must remain actively engaged if it is to help protect a functioning global system.
COMMENTARY / Japan / Geoeconomic Briefing
Jun 27, 2022
After 50 years of China-Japan economic ties, what comes next?
From the separation of politics and economy to the principle of economic security, the two countries have tried to maintain trade and exchange despite numerous obstacles.
COMMENTARY / Japan / Geoeconomic Briefing
Dec 3, 2021
What Japan needs to do to boost its economic security
Through its Strategic Headquarters on the Creation of a New International Order, the ruling LDP is hoping to ensure Japan¡¯s economy can weather any storm.
COMMENTARY / Japan / Geoeconomic Briefing
Oct 12, 2021
How Japan and the U.S. should approach Taliban-ruled Afghanistan
While Washington has financial sanctions to wield, Tokyo has the chance to offer the Afghan people humanitarian assistance.
COMMENTARY / Japan / Geoeconomic Briefing
Jul 20, 2021
Pandemic shows Japan needs to figure out how to learn and prepare
Last-minute efforts to deal with COVID-19 vaccinations highlight a national lack of strategy and foresight.
COMMENTARY / World / Geoeconomic Briefing
Jun 6, 2021
COVID-19 shows that Japan needs to rebuild its infectious diseases strategy
The development of homegrown vaccines must be treated as a national security issue, to help fight future pandemics.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan / Geoeconomic Briefing
Mar 10, 2021
Japan¡¯s lack of preparedness: Lessons from Fukushima and COVID-19
Abrupt decisions, poor information dissemination and a lack of foresight hampered efforts to assist the country through crises.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
Head of Swiss euthanasia firm dies after collapsing while ascending Mount Fuji
Around 200,000 people typically scale the 3,776 meter Mount Fuji each year.
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 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.
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.
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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