An Uncomfortable Past

Pundits list South Korea’s close economic ties with China and need for China’s cooperation in dealing with North Korea as possible reasons for this unprecedented closeness. But another factor unrelated to the economy or security is likely prompting this intimacy—namely, the two countries’ strong sense of solidarity as victims of Japanese imperialism. Beginning in 2013, the tension between South Korea and Japan over unresolved historical controversies has risen, culminating in the suspension of dialogue between the highest-level leaders.

World, World: AsiaGi Jae HanMarch 23, 2015china, japan, South KoreaComment

A Mukden in the Making

Let’s remember, though, what September 18th is the anniversary of. The Mukden Incident was a contrived pretext for expanding Japan’s empire into what had until then been Chinese territory. What we are seeing now are the first rumblings of a rising China looking to throw its newfound wealth and power around.

WorldMichael ArdSeptember 22, 2012china, japan, Michael Ard, Political Minutes, Web ColumnsComment

Japan Prepares for the Real Triple Disaster

It has now been over one year since northeastern Japan was devastated by what has been dubbed by many as the “triple disaster” – consisting of an earthquake, a deadly tsunami, and the nuclear meltdown of the now-infamous Fukushima nuclear power plant.

WorldMichael ArdMarch 26, 2012japan, Web ColumnsComment

Defeatism Denied

Eight Reasons Why This Will Not Be “The Chinese Century”

WorldMichael ArdOctober 24, 2011Asia, china, Chinese, GDP, hegemons, japan, rising powers, Web ColumnsComment

Nuclear Reactions

Although the worst has arguably passed at Fukushima, the dangers posed by Japan’s recent nuclear disaster have not yet passed. As the world watched with bated breath, a catastrophic nuclear meltdown was closely averted, but only by pouring tons of seawater into the reactors and hoping for the best. Recently, aftershocks of magnitudes reaching 7.1 threatened to destabilize the nuclear reactors and create fissures in the containment, releasing toxic water in the surrounding environs. The worst may be over, but the story hardly ends here.

World, World: AsiaMingming FengMay 4, 2011fukushima, japanComment

The End of the Line

WorldLucas RehautApril 4, 2011coal, energy, hydroelectric, japan, nuclear power, solar, Web ColumnsComment

Memory and Pacifism

Okinawa is ambiguous. It is an idyllic, subtropical vacation spot in the eyes of most Japanese as well as the site of the 1945 Battle of Okinawa, the largest land-sea-air battle of World War II.

World, World: AsiaYurina YoshikawaOctober 31, 2010japan, okinawa Comment

Change Japan Can Believe In

“This is a historic election,” pronounced the morning newscaster. “This country is going to change,” announced a political leader. He posed in front of campaign posters that read, “This is change we can believe in.” To an American audience, these phrases would immediately conjure up images of President Barack Obama’s election in November 2008. But here they referred to Japan’s lower house elections on August 30 2009, leading to Yukio Hatoyama’s victory on September 16 as the new prime minister.

World, World: AsiaYurina YoshikawaOctober 18, 2009japanComment

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