The Weekly Observer: March 2-6
The 214th edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics. This week focuses on the GOJ’s evacuation efforts in the Middle East, the Japan-Canada Summit, Akazawa’s latest visit to Washington, the LDP-Ishin recommendations on the loosening of defense export rules, the LDP’s efforts to force through the FY 2026 annual budget, the DPFP…
The Weekly Observer: February 23-27
The 213th edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics. This week focuses on Japan’s response to the situation in Iran, the fresh round of Chinese dual-use export bans on designated Japanese companies, the fourth anniversary since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, bilateral/trilateral/multilateral military exercises, the first session of the National Conference, a…
The Weekly Observer: February 16-20
The 212th edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics. This week focuses on the Japan-U.S. Strategic Investment Initiative, reported updates to the FOIP concept, the LDP’s proposed changes to defense export rules, Takaichi’s re-election as Japan’s prime minister, the start of the 221st Diet session, the first signs of trouble with the…
The Weekly Observer: February 9-13
The 211th edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics. This week focuses on the 2026 Lower House election results, Japan seizing a Chinese fishing boat, Japanese Government representation at the Munich Security Conference, Akazawa-Lutnick talks on the strategic investment initiative, the GOJ’s proposed National Intelligence Strategy, the FY 2026 annual budget and…
The Weekly Observer: February 2-6
The 210th edition of the weekly newsletter aggregating news on Japanese politics. This week focuses on the 2026 Lower House election campaign, the U.S. hosted Critical Minerals Ministerial meeting, the March 19 Japan-U.S. Summit meeting, Japan-Europe dual-use technology cooperation, the upcoming special Diet session schedule, TSMC’s plans to explore production of cutting-edge AI chips in…
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Rintaro Nishimura 