China’s leaders sent two clear messages from this month’s National People’s Congress in Beijing. The first was that President Xi Jinping is centralizing power based on an uncompromising Communist ideology by which the party leads everything. The other is that Mr. Xi wants to build up China’s military, maintaining its position as the […]
Toyota has pledged to increase its investment in the United Kingdom, despite concerns among Japanese businesses about the implications of Brexit. The announcement follows a meeting between Toyota’s European president, Johan van Zyl, and Prime Minister Theresa May at Downing Street. Toyota will build the next-generation Auris hatchback at its Derbyshire […]
If the organizers of the Winter Olympic Games awarded medals for cheerleading or propaganda, North Korea would have walked away with double gold. The champion attention-grabbers were the 200 North Korean women who performed synchronized cheers throughout events which involved athletes from their country playing alongside people from the host nation, […]
When presidents speak at the World Economic Forum in Davos, they hope to receive loud and prolonged applause from the rich and powerful delegates in the hall. The applause is often amplified if speakers present themselves as visionary, cooperative global leaders who can foster economic growth, support business interests, and encourage greater trade. […]
Britain is offering unprecedented levels of military support to Japan in the wake of the growing threat from North Korea and tensions with China. The United Kingdom will send two Royal Navy warships, HMS Argyll and HMS Sutherland, to the Asia-Pacific region in 2018. It will also deploy British personnel to join military […]
Japan is finally enjoying some flattering press. After years of negative stories about its economy in the international media, the news is good. “Japan’s Economy is in a Sweet Spot,” says Money Week. Other recent headlines include “Making Japan Great Again” and “The Economic Lessons Japan can teach the West.” The reports […]
A radical “America First” approach to trade is central to United States President Donald Trump’s foreign policy in Asia. He speaks frequently of reaching “fair” trade arrangements, which benefit the US. In part, it was because of this and soon after Mr. Trump came to office that he blocked the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement involving Japan—much to […]
British Prime Minister Theresa May is doing her best to patch up the relationship with Japan, following the shock caused by Brexit. Her recent landmark trip to the country was part of a campaign to maintain trade and encourage Japanese companies to keep investing in Britain despite economic and political uncertainties. Prime Minister […]
Japanese business has been flourishing in Africa. More than 400 Japanese companies have offices on the continent. Their activities range from power generation to sourcing octopuses and red roses for Japanese consumers. The Japanese government strongly encourages trade with Africa. However, the World Bank warns that a slowdown in parts of the region […]
Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May has given a speech outlining the principles which will guide Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union. She will lead the nation through a hard Brexit as she tries to reposition Britain globally. For Japan, the speech suggests opportunities for greater trade and investment in the UK. But it also highlights […]
