- TPP
- What the TPP Process Means to JapanYoshizaki Tatsuhiko
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The Japanese government's decision to take part in talks over a Trans-Pacific Partnership has reignited internal debate over the potential pluses and minuses of a US-led free trade agreement. Economist Yoshizaki Tatsuhiko argues that the discussion will remain fruitless until both sides shift their focus from such hypothetical losses and gains to the fundamental importance of promoting free trade and participating in the rule-making process.
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- Japan’s Admission to the TPP Talks, Aung San Suu Kyi’s VisitShiraishi Takashi
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On April 12 the Japanese and US governments successfully concluded their bilateral consultations concerning Japan’s participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations. In addition to confirming the objective set forth in their February 22 joint statement of “achieving a comprehensive, high-standard agreement, as described in the Outlines of the TPP Agreement,” the two governments agreed…
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- Abe’s Three-Pronged Diplomatic StrategySuzuki Yoshikatsu
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Kishi Nobusuke, prime minister of Japan from February 1957 to July 1960 and grandfather of current Prime Minister Abe Shinzō, decided to travel to Southeast Asia in May 1957 on his first trip overseas after assuming office. Early on he had been inclined to make the United States his first destination, but as it turned out he made a round of visits to countries in Southeast Asia first. Why? Kishi h…
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- Japan-US Relations: The Need for Commitment and Restraint
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Abe Shinzō’s new administration has made a promising start in its dealings with the United States, including an inaugural summit with President Barack Obama that laid the groundwork for Japan’s participation in negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement. The bilateral relationship faces numerous issues, though, whose outcome remains to be seen. We asked former ambassador to the United States Fujisaki Ichirō to share his thoughts.
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- Science and Technology Policy: Abe’s Bold Reform PlanShiraishi Takashi
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On March 1 the Council for Science and Technology Policy held its first meeting since the launch of the current Abe Shinzō administration. This council, which is chaired by the prime minister, is charged with formulation and overall coordination of Japan’s fundamental comprehensive policies for science, technology, and innovation. It is ordinarily expected to meet for about an hour once a month …
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- Abenomics: Changing the National MindsetAbe Junichi
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Since taking the helm as prime minister for the second time last December, Abe Shinzō has focused on economic policy, including the adoption of an inflation target. The market has responded favorably, and the national mind-set seems to be shifting. Journalist Abe Junichi assesses the first 100 days of the Abe administration.
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- Trade Pact Progress, Nuclear Plant FaultfindingShiraishi Takashi
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On February 22, Prime Minister Abe Shinzō met in Washington with President Barack Obama, and the Japanese and US governments issued a joint statement concerning the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations. This statement confirmed that if Japan were to participate, “all goods would be subject to negotiation,” but noting that “both countries have bilateral trade sensitivities” and that “as the fin…
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- The Letdown of Abe’s Timid Policy SpeechSugiura Masaaki
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“What is this?” I found myself muttering to myself incredulously as I listened to Prime Minister Abe Shinzō deliver his general policy speech to the National Diet on January 28. It was not so much a general policy speech as a declaration of timidity. He used the word kiki (“crisis,” “critical”) a full 14 times, which was fine, but he did not utter so much as a single syllable about the Senkaku Isl…
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- Shifting Definitions of “East Asia” and Regional CooperationMiyagi Taizō
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East Asia is a diverse area encompassing the ASEAN members as well as Japan and its Northeast Asian neighbors, China and Korea. Asia specialist Miyagi Taizō examines the history of cooperation in the region and the issues it now faces.
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- Nobel Selection, Noda RejectionShiraishi Takashi
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Yamanaka Shin’ya, a professor at Kyoto University, has been selected as one of the recipients of the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery that mature cells can be reprogrammed to become pluripotent, a finding that holds tremendous promise for the development of regenerative medicine. This is splendid news, and I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Professor Yamanaka. …
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