A significant event in the formation of both Japan’s postwar foreign policy and the situation in the critically important Southeast Asian subregion was Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi’s tour to Indonesia and the Philippines in early May. Japan is once again “moving southwest.” It should be emphasized once again that one of the central components of […]

The global migration problem has not spared Japan, one of the world’s economic leaders. The country’s leadership has to take into account many objective factors when tackling it. The Demographic Situation Looks Increasingly Grim The idea of demographic exacerbation began to appear in connection with Japan’s domestic political situation at the end of the previous […]

Following its landslide victory in the February 8 election, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), in close cooperation with the Ishin no Kai party, is promoting initiatives to increase Japan’s military capabilities. At first glance, nothing has changed after the Diet elections, and the LDP continues to dominate politics. While this is largely true, several details […]

In late April to early May, Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, went on a tour of East Asian countries, having visited Japan, China and South Korea. The aim of this trip was Canberra’s desire to maintain a foreign policy balance among the region’s key players. However, achieving this goal is becoming increasingly difficult. […]