https://thediplomat.com The Diplomat is a current-affairs magazine for the Asia-Pacific, with news and analysis on politics, security, business, technology and life across the region. Tue, 30 Jan 2024 11:59:09 +0900 en-US https://thediplomat.com/2011/06/rethinking-work/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/06/rethinking-work/ A tsunami warning is issued after a magnitude 6.7 earthquake hits the northeast of Japan.

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/06/earthquake-rattles-japan/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/06/earthquake-rattles-japan/ Anti-nuclear demonstrations following the Fukushima crisis are something new, but not quite an embrace of protest.

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/06/japans-artsy-protest-culture/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/06/japans-artsy-protest-culture/ YouTube video of an earless rabbit born near the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant is confirmed as genuine.

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/06/more-on-youtube-rabbit/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/06/more-on-youtube-rabbit/ As Japan’s politicians squabble, the public is getting frustrated. Sadly, the DPJ can’t even put its own house in order.

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/06/japans-depressing-squabbling/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/06/japans-depressing-squabbling/ Naoto Kan survives a no-confidence motion following a deal with a former premier. But his days are now numbered.

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/06/kan-holding-on-for-now/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/06/kan-holding-on-for-now/ Japan’s changing security environment means there’s just less for the Ground Self-Defence Forces to do.

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/06/where-is-the-gsdf-going/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/06/where-is-the-gsdf-going/ Excerpts from the IAEA report on Fukushima are discouraging. But there has been some positive news as well.

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/06/mixed-news-on-fukushima/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/06/mixed-news-on-fukushima/ Rakuten boss Hiroshi Mikitani publicly mulls abandoning the Japan Business Federation over electricity policy.

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/05/rakuten-to-jump-keidanren-ship/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/05/rakuten-to-jump-keidanren-ship/ The Japanese government backpedals a little over new radiation exposure guidelines in Fukushima.

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/05/fukushima-kids-and-radiation/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/05/fukushima-kids-and-radiation/ The problems with TEPCO are another reminder of the shortcomings of the principle of amakudari.

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/05/the-problem-with-amakudari/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/05/the-problem-with-amakudari/ Was Japan’s donation of aid to Alabama following devastating tornadoes about generosity or obligation?

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/05/all-about-giri/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/05/all-about-giri/ The Japanese public’s response to evacuees from the tsunami and nuclear crisis has been positive. Mostly.

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/05/bullying-in-japan/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/05/bullying-in-japan/ The Fukushima nuclear crisis may have receded from the headlines, but there’s no room for complacency.

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/05/a-fukushima-update/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/05/a-fukushima-update/ The government wants students to improve their English skills. Cultural differences provide the biggest hurdle.

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/05/why-english-is-tough-in-japan/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/05/why-english-is-tough-in-japan/ From leading a green drive to a focus on learning English, Rakuten isn’t your usual Japanese company.

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/05/unconventional-rakuten/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/05/unconventional-rakuten/ A renowned Japan scholar shows his dedication to the country by announcing plans to become a citizen.

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/05/turning-japanese/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/05/turning-japanese/ The Fukushima crisis was a reminder of the role nuclear power plays in Japan. But are there viable alternatives?

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/05/does-japan-need-nuclear-power/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/05/does-japan-need-nuclear-power/ Japan must bring two seemingly contradictory identities together to avoid further damage from ‘Galápagosization.’

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/05/cool-vs-isolated-japan/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/05/cool-vs-isolated-japan/ Elite alumni networks in Japan have significant clout. What could it mean for the current crisis?

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/05/todai-cliques-and-tepco/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/05/todai-cliques-and-tepco/ The latest sumo scandal and TEPCO’s ongoing nuclear crisis have some interesting parallels.

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/05/sumo-faces-own-crisis/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/05/sumo-faces-own-crisis/ The earthquake that hit Japan was a tragedy. But it could still prod the country toward a solid climate change policy.

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/04/climate-policy-after-the-crisis/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/04/climate-policy-after-the-crisis/ It’s politics as usual in Japan, as the LDP pushes for the ouster of Naoto Kan. It’s hardly in Japan’s interests.

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/04/naoto-kan-on-the-ropes/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/04/naoto-kan-on-the-ropes/ The sentencing of a former Osaka public prosecutor is a reminder of the problems facing Japan’s legal system.

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/04/japans-creaking-legal-system/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/04/japans-creaking-legal-system/ A majority of Japanese want Naoto Kan to be replaced, a new poll shows. Will he be next through the revolving door?

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/04/japans-depressing-revolving-door/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/04/japans-depressing-revolving-door/ The government is considering a 3% hike in the consumption tax to pay for reconstruction. But will it backfire?

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/04/a-taxing-time-for-japan/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/04/a-taxing-time-for-japan/ TEPCO, operator of the stricken Fukushima nuclear power plant has finally produced a crisis recovery timeline. Some experts are already skeptical.

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/04/6-9-months-for-fukushima/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/04/6-9-months-for-fukushima/ Japan’s stance on the Dokdo / Takeshima issue has quickly shifted South Korean attitudes post-earthquake and tsunami, from sympathetic to ambivalent.

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/04/post-earthquake-japan-korea-ties/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/04/post-earthquake-japan-korea-ties/ The economic impact of the recent disaster may be more severe than first thought. How bad will it be?

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/04/japans-economy-takes-a-hit/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/04/japans-economy-takes-a-hit/ Japan’s govt has raised the level of the nuclear crisis at its Fukushima nuclear plant to a level 7. Is it really that bad?

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/04/how-bad-is-the-fukushima-crisis/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/04/how-bad-is-the-fukushima-crisis/ The earthquake and ongoing nuclear scare have created a dire situation for Japan’s hospitality sector.

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/04/tough-times-for-tokyo-hotels/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/04/tough-times-for-tokyo-hotels/ Some commentators in Japan want a return to traditional values. But the current challenges require innovative thinking.

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/04/looking-back-looking-forward/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/04/looking-back-looking-forward/ A powerful 7.4 magnitude aftershock in Miyagi Prefecture is a reminder of the challenges Japan faces in reconstruction.

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/04/strong-earthquake-rocks-japan/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/04/strong-earthquake-rocks-japan/ Readers talk about milk shortages following the earthquake. And a grand institution makes a classy exit.

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/04/tohoku-babies-need-milk/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/04/tohoku-babies-need-milk/ The Japanese economy can come back stronger after the current crisis. But only if it has more freedom.

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/04/japans-economy-needs-freedom/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/04/japans-economy-needs-freedom/ The media spotlight hasn’t been kind to TEPCO, operator of the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant.

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/03/tepco-fumbles/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/03/tepco-fumbles/ With the press piling on the troubled Japanese utility, some of the criticism begins to look misplaced.

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/03/but-so-do-its-critics/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/03/but-so-do-its-critics/ Nuclear researcher Peter Hosemann says the radiation threat to Tokyo from the Fukushima plant is small.

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/03/learning-from-fukushima/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/03/learning-from-fukushima/ A farmer in Fukushima kills himself when told that he can’t sell his cabbage crop for fears of contamination.

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/03/fukushima-farmer-commits-suicide/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/03/fukushima-farmer-commits-suicide/ Naoto Kan calls for a new Japan to emerge from the crisis, and we revamp our Japan blog in agreement.

]]> https://thediplomat.com/2011/03/a-new-japan/ https://thediplomat.com/2011/03/a-new-japan/