Commentary When considering Japan’s defense policy, particularly the speed at which it changes, it’s good to keep your wits about you. The following apocryphal exchange between a skeptical U.S. observer and a Japanese government official following some newly announced defense initiative is instructive: U.S. observer: “I suppose you’re going to get it done, ‘mañana’?” Japanese…
Japan Lifts Entry Restrictions, Attracting Southeast Asian Tourists
As the Japanese government eases travel restrictions, tourists from Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Vietnam, Southeast Asia, and other countries have increased. However, still subject to China’s “zero-COVID” policy, most Chinese still fail to travel abroad. Japan’s borders are now open to independent foreign travelers and Japan has reintroduced visa-free entry. Quarantine and on-arrival testing…
Japan Hosts Multilateral Naval Parade Amid Rising Tensions With China, North Korea, Russia
Japan’s prime minister vowed on Sunday to bolster Japan’s defenses alongside the U.S. and its allies as the country hosted another international fleet review to mark the birth of its Naval forces. The review was held in Sagami Bay near Tokyo with the participation of 18 vessels from 12 nations, including the United States, South…
Japan, South Korea Urge US to Ease EV Tax Credit Rules for Foreign Automakers
Japan and South Korea have called on the United States to ease restrictions on electric vehicles (EVs) tax credits, citing the adverse impact of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on foreign automakers. The IRA was signed into law by the Biden administration on Aug. 16. Japan said that certain provisions of the IRA would deter Japanese…
Pentagon Seeks to Remove Fighter Jets from Japan, Republicans Demand Answers
Republican lawmakers have issued a public letter to U.S. military leadership following reports that the Pentagon is seeking to end the presence of dozens of fighter jets in Japan without creating a new permanent force to replace them. According to Defense News, the Pentagon is planning to remove two squadrons of F-15C Eagle fighters that…
Russia’s Sakhalin Oil Project Resumed With Export to South Korea: Report
The Sakhalin-1 oil and gas project in the Russian Far East appeared to have resumed operation after five months of suspension due to Exxon’s withdrawal, as the first tanker departed the terminal on Oct. 30. Bloomberg reported that a vessel carrying Russian Sokol crude sailed from the De Kastri terminal to South Korea on Oct….
Japanese Companies Assess Cost of Decoupling From China’s Supply Chain
More Japanese companies are considering weaning themselves from Chinese supply chains after more than 2,000 of them have withdrawn from China since COVID-19. Some 26 percent of Japan’s total imports came from China in 2020, and while Japan may still have close economic ties with China, tensions between Washington and Beijing amid international tensions have…
Japan’s Factory Output Falls for First Time in Four Months as Firms Battle Rising Costs
TOKYO—Japan’s factory output fell in September for the first time in four months as manufacturers grappled with rising raw materials costs and global economic slowdown, and is likely to fall again next month before picking up in November, the government said. In a brighter sign for the world’s third-largest economy, retail sales grew for a…
Philippine Coast Guard Trains With US, Japan Using Japanese Patrol Ship
The Philippine coast guard has begun training with counterparts from Japan and the United States using a Japan-made patrol vessel amid China’s increased assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea. The training started early the week of Oct. 24, but it was not open to the media until Oct. 28. About 100 Philippine personnel and…
Japan Announces $485 Billion Economic Package to Counter Rising Inflation
Japan’s prime minister announced Friday that his government will spend about 71.6 trillion yen ($485 billion) on economic stimulus aimed at helping households and businesses cope with inflationary pressures amid a weak currency. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that the economic package is expected to increase Japan’s gross domestic product by 4.6 percent and reduce…
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