Okinawa: Will the Pandemic Transform U.S. Military Bases?

Okinawa: Will the Pandemic Transform U.S. Military Bases?

Okinawans opposed to the expansion of U.S. military bases on their island have been upset by the environmental damage, the accidents, and the crimes associated with the presence of 25,000 American troops. Now the anti-base movement has one more powerful argument to use in its case to shrink the U.S. footprint in this southernmost Japanese…

The Economic Aspects of a Trade War between Japan and Korea

The Economic Aspects of a Trade War between Japan and Korea

On 4 July 2020, it will be exactly one year since Japan introduced export restrictions on South Korea on three types of chemicals critical for the microelectronics industry: fluorinated polyimide, hydrogen fluoride, and photoresists. South Korea called that step the start of a trade war. We should recall the essence of the issue: Japan highlights…

On the Problems with Japan’s Course of Movement “Toward the Southwest”

On the Problems with Japan’s Course of Movement “Toward the Southwest”

In the strategic game that is playing out in the area around the Indian and Pacific Oceans, the presence of Japan is growing more prominent. The nature of this presence is reflected in both the aspect of Japan re-establishing itself as a leading world power and the swift transformation of the political puzzle taking shape…

Signs U.S. International Power Is Declining

Signs U.S. International Power Is Declining

On June 15th, Breaking Defense headlined “Japan Halts $2.1B Aegis Ashore Work; New Black Eye For Struggling Program” and reported that Japan’s defense minister, Taro Kono, announced: “Due to considerations of cost and timing, we have stopped the process of introducing the Aegis Ashore system.” This is the Lockheed Martin anti-ballistic-missile system that the U.S….