The Liberal Democratic Party has been ruling Japan since the post-war period, and after being plagued with scandals and low public opinion polls, Japan is struggling with stable leadership amidst a politically turbulent time. Despite reaching a deal on tariffs, U.S.-Japan relations remain rocky, with recent polls in Japan revealing citizens’ desires to cut ties and for the country to take a self-defense-centered approach to national security.
Read MoreOn September 6th, the United States Supreme Court voted 6-3 to lift a lower court’s order that was blocking immigration raids in Los Angeles, California, while legal challenges continue. Even though the case remains unresolved, this choice has already sent signs of a dangerous trajectory, one where executive power is prioritized over constitutional protections, with vulnerable communities paying the price.
Read More“The consolidation of an Asian bloc against Chinese influence is a top priority for the United States, and the strained relationship between South Korea and Japan has been problematic in creating a united front. With aggressive Chinese actions in Asia ramping up in the recent past, including expansion in the South China Sea and disputes with India in the Ladakh region, both Japan and South Korea understand the necessity of aligning their foreign policy goals to contain China’s authoritarian influence. It is impossible to say whether a new Japanese Prime Minister will be able to overcome the decades of resentment between the two nations, but recent conciliatory statements made by South Korean President Moon Jae-in regarding the mending of ties bode well for future cooperation.”
Read More“With the average age of world leaders being at 65 years old, health problems at the executive level are bound to rise. Now, Japan suffers. On Friday, August 28th, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced his resignation due to health concerns, with several scandals marking the end of Japan’s longest serving PM.”
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