President Trump’s response to Kim Jong-Un’s recent missile party neither shows lack of a plan nor lack of respect for Japan; it show patience and insight. Gaining and maintaining trust and respect in difficult situations requires sureness in action and… Read More ›

Shinzo Abe
Western analysts got lost in the Abe-Xi maze, and failed to notice a coming synergy in East Asia
For unknown reasons, many Western political analysts made mistakes in understanding the Washington-Pyongyang relation (e.g. forecasting bloody nose strike, but being shockingly embarrassed by the Trump-Kim Singapore summit), and then the Pyongyang-Beijing relation (portraying a tension, but being surprisingly slapped… Read More ›
Cadence Column: Asia, September 25, 2017
China is taking a turn for the better over North Korea’s “Rocket Man”. Stronger sanctions, limits on trade, cutting off oil, halting banking—it was all a wise move on China’s part. At the United Nations, North Korea made no new… Read More ›
Cadence of Conflict: Asia, November 21, 2016
With TPP’s immanent floundering in the Pacific, China attempts to step into America’s shoes. But, those are big shoes to fill. As big of a deal as Asia thinks itself to be, any trade deal needs to include the Americas… Read More ›
Japan to provide patrol ships to Vietnam amid maritime row with China
The Japanese government said on Wednesday it is ready to provide Vietnam with new patrol ships, in its latest step to boost the maritime law-enforcement capabilities of countries locked in territorial rows with China. On Tuesday, Japan agreed to provide… Read More ›
Cadence Column: July 11, 2016
Abe’s landslide re-election in Japan, a US shield deployment in South Korea, and $2B USD pumping into Taiwan’s navy won’t exactly be sweet music to countries on the other side of the line. China isn’t in a position to make… Read More ›
Cadence of Conflict: Asia, January 25, 2016
Since Taiwan’s election, China and the KMT-Nationalists have been largely silent. While the Chinese aren’t spending as much money at home, and while the Chinese economy looks evermore shaky, Xi Jinping has no problem dealing with Egypt or declaring all… Read More ›
Japan signs off biggest ever defence budget as tensions rise with China over Senkaku Islands
Tokyo approves 5.05tn yen on defence spending to counter growing Chinese influence in the region. Japan has approved its biggest ever defence budget, as it attempts to counter an increasingly assertive China and push through an unpopular move to relocate… Read More ›
Japan-China relations boosted by Abe’s WWII statement and self-defence bill
By reiterating Japan’s “unshakable” apology for World War II and legalising the necessary enhancements to operate its Self-Defence Forces like a normal national armed force of a state, Shinzo Abe (Prime Minister 2006-7, 2012-present) has done a meritorious job to… Read More ›
China says neither Japan nor Australia supports US South China Sea ‘provocation’
The following is based on translations of reports in Chinese media: A report in Chinese media says that Japan and Australia were the only two countries that expressed concern about China’s land reclamation in the South China Sea, along with… Read More ›
China changes its strategy towards Japan: unrelenting pressure has produced far greater costs than benefits for China
Over the past several months a gradual but significant shift has taken place in China’s policy toward Japan. The change is a result of Beijing’s recognition that its unrelenting pressure on Tokyo since the Japanese Government purchased several of the… Read More ›
Future growth of India and China to be tuned by Japan
The gear shift of Asia’s growth in the decades to come is in the hand of Tokyo as Japan is in control of the formation of the emerging India-China-Japan (I+C+J) power structure in Asia. In its “World 2050” research report,… Read More ›
U.S. wary of possible China island fortresses in South China Sea
U.S. Secretary of Defence Ash Carter said the U.S. was concerned by China’s land reclamation efforts in the South China Sea and by the possibility that construction there has a military dimension. Speaking to reporters after meeting Japanese Defence Minister… Read More ›
US would welcome Japanese air patrols in South China Sea
The United States would welcome a Japanese extension of air patrols into the South China Sea as a counterweight to a growing fleet of Chinese vessels pushing China’s territorial claims in the region, a senior U.S. Navy officer told Reuters…. Read More ›
China makes public its dream for Greater Asia Co-prosperity Sphere
In my post “China’s Greater Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere” on January 28, 2012, I said: “Decades ago, Japan shed lots of blood to fight for the establishment of its Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere but failed disastrously. However, it seems that… Read More ›
Massive spending won’t make China’s Asia dream come true; money can’t buy respect
After two years of waxing poetic at home about a “China Dream,” Xi Jinping wants to enchant the entire Asia region—and is dangling $1.25 trillion to make sure he does. “China’s development will bring huge opportunities and benefits to the… Read More ›
China’s president says risks to economy ‘not that scary’
China‘s President Xi Jinping was quoted as saying, “Some people worry that China’s economic growth will fall further, can it climb over the ridge? There are indeed risks, but it’s not so scary. Even at growth of around 7 percent,… Read More ›
Japan caves to China on Senkaku Island dispute
In order to secure a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe agreed to a significant concession in Tokyo’s ongoing dispute with China over the Senkaku Islands, according to Japanese media outlets. As Shannon noted earlier today… Read More ›
China claims diplomatic victories in easing tensions with India and Japan
According to a popular Chinese article, China is certain to fight six wars in the coming five decades with seven of its neighbours: Russia, Taiwan, Japan, India, Mongolia, Vietnam and the Philippines. Russia is China’s close ally. As for the… Read More ›
China seeks to be centre of Asian Union, world’s largest Free Trade Zone
As far back as January 2012, I pointed out “China’s desire to establish an East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere,” which Japan shed a lot of blood to establish decades ago, but failed. ASEAN plus China, Japan and Korea (APT – ASEAN Plus… Read More ›
India being hotly courted internationally; difficult for China to woo
The US wants India to encircle China in China’s west; Japan wants India to join it in confronting China, Russia wants to have a Russia-China-India alliance while China wants to solve border disputes to improve ties with India. When Modi… Read More ›
China sends warships to escort oil rig to waters claimed by Japan near Senkaku (Diaoyu) Islands
The following is a translation from Chinese media: China’s qianzhan.com says in its report today that China’s Kaixuan-1 oil rig is on its way to the area near the disputed Diaoyu Islands (known as Senkakus in Japan), accompanied by quite… Read More ›
Japan and India pledge to strengthen ties as China rises
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged an upgrade of economic and security ties with India, saying Japan would double investment and expand defense cooperation amid concerns about China’s growing influence in the region. Abe and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at… Read More ›
India, Japan and U.S. conduct naval drills; seen as a signal to China
Traffic at the Maritime Self-Defence Force base at Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, is typically dominated by Japanese and U.S. warships, but in July it saw an unusual variety of vessel. An Indian frigate and destroyer docked en route to joint exercises… Read More ›
Stop spreading hatred between Chinese and Japanese people!
I described the prospects of a thaw in Sino-Japanese relations in a previous post due to Japanese Prime Minister’s verbal message to Chinese President Xi Jinping expressing his hope for a summit meeting with Xi in Beijing in the period… Read More ›
Japan and Philippines move to stengthen military ties in maritime disputes with China
The Philippines and Japan are moving ahead with strengthening their security and economic cooperation, with Japan giving defence equipment to the Philippines and invoking the right of collective self-defence in the maritime dispute with China. Philippine President Benigno Aquino III… Read More ›
US interference in sea disputes strengthens power of China’s reformists
In my book “Tiananmen’s Tremendous Achievements” (its expanded second edition will soon be released with heavy discount for two weeks in memory of the Tiananmen Protests), I said that when the major reformist Zhao Ziyang fell into disgrace due to… Read More ›
Why Japan’s smaller military could hold its own against China
China’s soaring military spending — up 12.3% this year – and aggressive gestures in the region could be setting the scene for major conflict. With various countries feuding over Pacific territory, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe compared the ratcheting tensions… Read More ›
Japan bans porn exports to China in retaliation for seizure of cargo ship
The dispute between China and Japan showed no signs of abatement yesterday, after Japan was reported by domestic media to have taken steps to ban the export of specialist pornography to China. Japan is believed to also be behind the… Read More ›
Japanese investment in Southeast Asia surged last year to almost three times amount invested in China
Japanese companies‘ investments in Southeast Asia surged last year to almost three times the amount invested in China, after relations between Beijing and Tokyo soured in 2012 and Chinese labor costs rose, a government agency of Japan said on Friday…. Read More ›
East China Sea: What do China and Japan really want?
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and not necessarily those of China Daily Mail. The diplomatic standoff between China and Japan is drifting in the direction of military conflict. At the World Economic Forum in… Read More ›
Japan’s actions are aimed at USA rather than China
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and not necessarily those of China Daily Mail. Shinzo Abe‘s affront seems to be aimed at China. However, for my part, I consider his action is planned to keep… Read More ›
China needs to build trust, not tensions, says Japan’s PM
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said China’s continued economic growth will require building trust, not tensions, with other countries, according to an interview broadcast on Sunday. A steady Chinese military buildup over the last 20 years is a serious concern… Read More ›
China takes propaganda war with Japan to United Nations
China took its propaganda war with Japan to the United Nations on Wednesday, questioning Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe‘s motives for visiting a controversial war shrine and calling on him to correct his “erroneous outlook” on history. Abe’s December 26… Read More ›
China rightly outraged at Japan: Moral honesty is the key for historical closure
I refer to the AFP news report, “Germany urges Japan to deal ‘honestly’ with WWII past”, December 31. To quote from the said article: “Germany said Monday it tried to deal “honestly” with its World War II past and urged… Read More ›
Susan Rice attempts to solve the Japan-China deadlock
Sending Caroline Kennedy, a household name in the United States, to Japan as the ambassador indicates that President Obama has realised there is no better choice than using the tension in East Asia to capture and retain the attention of… Read More ›
Japan and South Korea defy China in new air defence zone
Japanese and South Korean military aircraft flew through disputed air space over the East China Sea without informing China, officials said on Thursday, challenging a new Chinese air defense zone that has increased regional tensions and sparked concerns of an… Read More ›
Japan to be more assertive against China
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, in an interview published on Saturday, said Japan was ready to be more assertive in guarding against what he said might be an attempt by China to use force to attain its diplomatic goals. But a… Read More ›
China moves to isolate Philippines, Japan
The Philippines and Japan’s charm offensives towards China appear to have failed as Beijing seeks to isolate both powers within the region. In recent weeks both the Philippines and Japan have made a number of overtures to China aimed at… Read More ›
China tired of Japan’s “empty talk” and refuses leaders’ meeting to discuss disputed islands
Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been calling for more dialogue with Beijing since he came to office in December 2012, the same month a Chinese government plane violated Japan’s airspace over the Senkaku and Diaoyu islands. China had been… Read More ›
China summons Japanese ambassador over shrine visit
China summoned Japan’s ambassador on Thursday to lodge a strong complaint after two Japanese cabinet ministers publicly paid their respects at a controversial Tokyo shrine for war dead, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said. The ministers’ visit to the Yasukuni Shrine… Read More ›
Japanese Prime Minister to visit Yasukuni Shrine wearing fake moustache; China not fooled
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe may make an offering at Yasukuni Shrine later this week, media reported on Wednesday. The news comes as a surprise, because Abe himself had previously made clear that he would skip the traditional visit to… Read More ›
A gaffe-prone Japan is a danger to peace in Asia; China concerned
The Abe government’s disastrous public diplomacy risks alienating not just China but also the US. Japan’s public diplomacy hovers between the ludicrous and the sinister. In recent months, the country has specialised in foreign policy gaffes that seem designed to give maximum… Read More ›
Japan to increase China tensions by nationalising islands
Japan may nationalise hundreds of unclaimed islands off its coast in a bid to bolster its territorial claims, reports said, in a move that could complicate already simmering relations with China over existing maritime disputes. Quoting government sources, the Yomiuri… Read More ›
China calls Japanese leaders ‘petty burglars’
Piqued over Japan’s warm ties with India, an influential Chinese daily said New Delhi‘s wisdom lies in dealing with its disputes with Beijing calmly, undisturbed by “internal and international provocateurs“. As Prime Minister Manmohan Singh undertook a visit to Tokyo amid reports of defence deals between the two… Read More ›
China invokes WWII document to warn Japan over “stolen territory”
The Chinese Premier has used his visit to the German city where Allied terms of surrender were dictated to Tokyo, to send a stark message on recent territorial disputes. Premier Li Keqiang made use of his visit to Germany to… Read More ›
China says Japan should honour its surrender, and withdraw from the Ryukyus
China’s Global Times has issued a broadside at Japan over the independence of the Ryukyu Islands: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe recently said, “We must make clear to the world Japan’s positions on the Ryukyus” in order to negate China’s… Read More ›
China tests ships near disputed islands
Three Chinese ships entered waters near the disputed Senkaku islands, known as Diaoyu in Chinese, and recognised by Japan as its territory. The Chinese met with Japanese coast guard ships patrolling the area. The Chinese ships were inside the 12… Read More ›
China vexed and humiliated by Shinzo Abe’s Russia visit
Japan is using “value diplomacy” to create the geopolitical encirclement of China, according to China’s state-run media. That point was emphasized across the communist nation’s media spectrum as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe began a historic seven-day visit to Russia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey. What makes China most… Read More ›
China protests over Japanese officials visiting war shrine and activists visiting Senkaku Islands
A group of lawmakers including Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmaker Hidehisa Otsuji (front 3rd L), Japan Restoration Party member Takeo Hiranuma (front L) and LDP member Sanae Takaichi (front 2nd L) are led by a shinto priest as… Read More ›