Japan contraction before the coronavirus black swan equates to economic woes Kanako Itamae and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was optimistic that his economic policies alongside the intended increase in tourism and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games would enable a rebound. Of course, Abe knew that the sales tax hike…
Northeast Asian powers of China, Japan, and South Korea face major economic coronavirus problems Noriko Watanabe and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The nations of China, Japan, and South Korea have respective issues related to territorial disputes. Despite this, all three nations are part of an integrated economic chain that accounts collectively for just…
How Can Japan Boost Its Cyber Defenses Ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics? Aleksandra Arsic – Special Guest Kommando Tech The legendary Nigerian Prince scheme may not be as popular as it once was, but we are not yet in the clear when it comes to cyberattacks. On the contrary, cyberthreats seem to be growing…
Cyber attack fears in Japan ahead of the Tokyo Olympics according to the Bank of Japan Noriko Watanabe and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Bank of Japan is calling on financial companies to be fully aware of possible cyber threats in the run-up to the Tokyo Olympic Games this summer. Indeed, in a…
Coronavirus and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics: 8 new cases in Tokyo and more nationally Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The clocking is ticking to the start of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in Japan. However, with eight new cases of coronavirus (Covid-19) in Tokyo, then the concern is increasing. At the same…
The first death in Japan from coronavirus (Covid-19) while internal infections increase Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The government of Japan is witnessing the gradual increase in internal cases of coronavirus (Covid-19), with thirty-three know cases. Of course, for individuals stranded on the cruise ship Diamond Princess in Yokohama, then currently…
Local Government of Osaka at odds with the Japanese Government over Coronavirus Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The coronavirus emanating from China is creating different political views in Japan. Thus, with eight cases of coronavirus being known in Japan, the Osaka Prefectural Government is taking a different approach to that of…
Japan to evacuate nationals from Wuhan: 56 dead from Coronavirus and 2,000 infections Kanako Itamae and Sawako Utsumi Modern Tokyo Times The Foreign Ministry of Japan is preparing to evacuate Japanese nationals from Wuhan. Hence, the Hubei Province is being monitored daily by Japan. Therefore, arrangements are ongoing with the government of China to evacuate…
Japan PM to visit Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates: US and Iran Chika Mori and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times In a sign that America and Iran are seeking to salvage something positive despite heightened tensions, the leader of Japan will go ahead with his regional visit to the Middle East.…
Japan seeks restraint from America and Iran before the planned Self Defense Force mission Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan seeks restraint from America and Iran over the ongoing crisis between both nations. This rupture increased after America killed Qassem Soleimani, the Quds…
North Korea leaves the US door open despite possible new nuclear tests: Japan is looking on Ri Kuk-Chol and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, is letting America know that unless genuine dialogue occurs, then new major military tests may take place. This relates to the possible resumption…
The influential former Japanese PM dies but the legacy of Yasuhiro Nakasone lives on Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Yasuhiro Nakasone finally passed away from this earth at the age of 101 but his political legacy remains strong in modern Japan. The former prime minister led Japan between 1982 and 1987…
South Korea is intent on terminating GSOMIA and this bodes well for Japan Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The government of Japan and South Korea are at loggerheads over history and other issues. Hence, with South Korea stating that it intends to terminate GSOMIA (General Security of Military Information Agreement), then…
Japan puts faith in Myanmar under Aung San Suu Kyi and her democratic path Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The nation of Myanmar is extremely multi-ethnic and multi-religious and under the State Counsellor, Aung San Suu Kyi, this nation is firmly focused on the democratization of this nation. Of course, certain…
Japan cements military ties with Australia and the trilateral approach with America Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The governments of Japan and Australia respectively are strengthening military and geopolitical ties. Hence, the latest first-ever joint air combat exercise between both nations is following on from the growing role that Japan took…
PM Dmitry Medvedev of Russia rebukes Japan over his visit to the Kuril Islands (Northern Territories) Noriko Watanabe and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev, sharply rebuffed negative comments emanating from political elites in Japan. After all, in the eyes of Medvedev, how can he be…
First Ever Sino-Russian Joint Air Patrol Barely Avoids Triggering Regional Conflict Publication: Eurasia Daily Monitor By: Pavel Felgenhauer The Jamestown Foundation The Chinese Ministry of National Defense published a white paper yesterday, July 24, entitled “China’s National Defense in a New Era.” The document accuses the United States of pursuing “unilateral policies,” provoking “intensified competition…
Abe and ruling political bloc wins Upper House election in Japan but voter apathy is high Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the ruling bloc partner Komeito won the majority of seats in the Upper House election that was contested. Hence,…
Japan touts national security in a spat with South Korea after high-tech restrictions Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The government of Japan is issuing national security concerns in the latest spat with South Korea. While, in the opposite direction, South Korea once more is using historical war-time issues that need to…
Japan Considers a New Security Relationship Via “Networking” with Taiwan Publication: China Brief Volume: 19 Issue: 10 By: Howard Wang The Jamestown Foundation Introduction—Japan Seeks “Networking” with Regional Allies In early May 2019, Japanese Foreign Minister (FM) Taro Kono tweeted support for Taiwan’s bid to attend the World Health Assembly as an observer—thereby advocating for…
PM Abe of Japan returns from a pointless visit to Iran: Middle East quagmire Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Prime Minister Shinzo Abe returns to Japan after a pointless visit to Iran that made him look out of touch. Once more, the Japanese Foreign Ministry that is aloof about the real…
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to visit Iran but Saudi Arabia may be displeased? Murad Makhmudov and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan is planning to visit Iran once all arrangements have been made. This especially applies to meeting President Hassan Rouhani of Iran and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Therefore, senior…
Capitalist Big Brother in Japan: Yahoo Japan to Mizuho FG and George Orwell Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The privacy of information is endlessly being crushed just like freedom on social media. George Orwell in 1949 published a powerful book titled Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984). Sadly, the ramifications of his words are…
Japan and Russia territorial dispute made worse based on US containment policies Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan wants stronger relations with the Russian Federation but three issues remain that are preventing this. This applies to the role of America that seeks to contain China and…
President Trump to enjoy his state visit to Japan and meet the new Emperor Sawako Utsumi Modern Tokyo Times President Donald Trump of America will enjoy his state visit to Japan based on the friendliness of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Equally important, and a great honor for Trump, the leader of America will be the…
Sterilization of people deemed “unworthy and unfit” from conservative Japan to liberal Sweden Chika Mori and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan acknowledged the brutality of forced sterilizations that inflicted vast numbers of people between 1948 and 1996. Hence, compensation will now be given to victims who suffered greatly…
US and Japan affirm Cybersecurity ties: Japan’s non-Northeast Asian fixation and Russia Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan claims that he desires to solve the protracted territorial dispute with the Russian Federation. Yet, many within the corridors of power in Moscow dispute the sincerity of Japan.…
Electronic warfare and Japan: New approach to the Russian Federation? Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The government of Japan is focused on a five-year plan to upgrade areas related to electronic warfare, cyber wars, cyberspace, and other modern military areas. At the same time, Japan understands the growing reality of new…
EU to assist Myanmar in the education sector: Japan welcomes EU assistance Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The European Union (EU) will assist Myanmar in the education sector to the tune of US$252 million dollars. This news is widely appreciated because State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi is intent on increasing…
March 11 Earthquake and Tsunami of 2011: Heroes of Otsuchi to Fleeing Embassies Kanako Itamae and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times This article is published in the memory of the “Fire brigade Heroes of Otsuchi” – and remembering how so-called friends of Japan fled quickly. The brutal events of March 11, 2011, will always…
Myanmar attracts investment from the Northeast Asian powers of China, Japan, and South Korea Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The economic powers of Northeast Asia continue to view the future of Myanmar in a positive light. Hence, continuing investments, infrastructural projects, political goodwill, and the collective understanding of the many difficulties…
PM Abe to ignore the voice of Okinawa and increase tensions based on placating America Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is intent on dismissing the voice of Okinawa in order to placate America’s geopolitical concerns. In truth, the shortsightedness and meekness of many past Japanese leaders enabled…
