The Diplomat | Author
Thisanka Siripala
Thisanka Siripala is an Australian-Sri Lankan cross platform journalist living in Tokyo.
Thisanka Siripala is an Australian-Sri Lankan cross platform journalist living in Tokyo. She specializes in Asia-Pacific news and current affairs while predominantly covering Japan and North Asia-related politics, business, and socio-economic shifts. She is an honors graduate from The University of Melbourne with a degree in International Relations, Media Studies, and Japanese language.
January 13, 2024
Japan Offers Ukraine Condolences and Cooperation for Reconstruction
By Thisanka Siripala
Japan pledges “unwavering” support to Ukraine amid aid fatigue in the West.
January 03, 2024
Japan’s New Years Day Celebrations Cut Short by Deadly Earthquake
By Thisanka Siripala
Japan enters 2024 rocked by a powerful earthquake and a deadly airplane collision.
December 14, 2023
Kishida Replaces 4 Cabinet Members as Japan’s Political Fundraising Scandal Deepens
By Thisanka Siripala
The government is in damage control mode as it scrambles to contain public distrust over underreported fundraising revenue.
December 08, 2023
How Green Is Japan’s COP28 Commitment?
By Thisanka Siripala
Japan’s decarbonization strategy is being slammed by environmental groups for prioritizing “clean” coal.
December 02, 2023
Japan Fears Growing Threat From North Korea’s Latest Spy Satellite
By Thisanka Siripala
Japan goes back to the drawing board to tackle North Korea’s spy satellite and advancing nuclear weapons program.
November 16, 2023
Japan’s ‘Balanced’ Position on Palestine Fails to Impress
By Thisanka Siripala
In Japan, protests calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza are at odds with the government’s stance in the Israeli-Hamas war.
October 20, 2023
Japan’s Fishing Sector Struggles After China Seafood Ban
By Thisanka Siripala
Japan is ramping up efforts to counter China’s seafood ban amid the controversial wastewater release from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant.
October 04, 2023
Japan Announces Economic Stimulus to Combat Cost of Living Crisis
By Thisanka Siripala
Japan’s escalating consumer inflation is compounded by stagnant wages and a sliding yen.
September 18, 2023
Japan’s Top J-pop Agency Battles Fallout From Sex Abuse Scandal
By Thisanka Siripala
The country's most prestigious talent agency is in damage control amid growing public outrage over sexual abuse.
September 05, 2023
Japan Marks 100th Anniversary of the 1923 Kanto Massacre
By Thisanka Siripala
Campaigners fight to keep the massacre of ethnic Koreans in the spotlight, despite the government's disinterest in interrogating the dark history.
September 01, 2023
Japan Battles Backlash After Releasing Wastewater From Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant
By Thisanka Siripala
The release of treated but still radioactive wastewater into the Pacific Ocean has exacerbated tensions with neighboring countries.
August 09, 2023
Osaka 2025 World Expo Plagued by Rising Costs and Construction Delays
By Thisanka Siripala
The Osaka World Expo is rushing to prevent an exodus of international participants as construction costs surge.
Page 1 of 20