East Asia is grappling with dual crises this week: Japan’s escalating tariff standoff with the U.S. and South Korea’s deadly floods that have displaced thousands. Both events underscore the region’s vulnerability to external shocks and internal mismanagement, raising questions about long-term strategic resilience. Japan’s Tariff Turbulence South Korea’s Flood Fallout 🧭 Strategic Implications Commentary Voices…
Japan’s rice crisis has escalated into a national security concern, as soaring prices and dwindling supply expose deep flaws in the country’s agricultural policy and food security framework. Once a symbol of self-sufficiency, rice is now at the center of a political firestorm ahead of the July 20 House of Councillors election. The crisis stems…
apan’s July 16 defense white paper reasserts its territorial claims over the Senkaku Islands and maritime zones in the East China Sea, sparking diplomatic backlash from China and South Korea. This escalation highlights East Asia’s fragile balance of power and Japan’s resolve to defend its strategic interests.
The Asia-Pacific Policy Strategy Dialogue (APPSD) concluded in London with a resounding call for a new organising principle: “America First, Allies Always.” The summit, attended by defense and policy leaders from the U.S., U.K., Japan, Australia, and South Korea, emphasized the need for integrated deterrence against the rising influence of the China-Russia-Iran-North Korea axis —…
Japan clinched its second consecutive East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Championship title by defeating host South Korea 1-0 in Yongin. While the match was billed as a sporting event, right-leaning observers saw deeper implications tied to national pride, regional rivalry, and soft power projection. The lone goal came in the 8th minute, when Japan’s…
In a show of growing military coordination, the Pacific Alliance Naval Coalition (PANC) — comprising Australia, Japan, the United States, and the Philippines — launched a series of joint naval drills in the Coral Sea, marking the largest coordinated maritime exercise in the region since 2021. The drills, dubbed Operation Sovereign Wake, are designed to…
In a symbolic win that transcended sport, Japan defeated China 2–0 in the East Asian Football Federation Championship on July 12. The match in South Korea sets up a high-stakes final between Japan and the host nation. Beyond the pitch, the game reflects the intensifying competition between East Asia’s giants. With both countries fielding domestic…
In a bold move underscoring the shifting priorities of U.S. defence policy, the Pentagon has formally requested that Japan and Australia clarify their roles in the event of a military conflict over Taiwan. Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Elbridge Colby emphasised the need for “peace through strength,” urging allies to increase defence spending and…
Defense officials in Japan, Australia, and Taiwan held closed-door meetings this week after satellite imagery showed increased People’s Liberation Army (PLA) naval activity just outside Taiwan’s air defense zone. The activity, coupled with PLA cyber probes into Taiwanese infrastructure, has been described by analysts as “dry run drills” for a blockade or rapid escalation. The…
As tensions between Israel and Iran cross new thresholds, nations across the Asia-Pacific region are rushing to bolster preparedness for economic, energy, and security shocks. The conflict escalated sharply on June 22 with reports of retaliatory strikes from both sides, including drone attacks near strategic oil shipping lanes. Japan, deeply reliant on Gulf oil, expressed…
