Japan's International Relations

Like a number of other countries in the international community, over the last few years Japan has found it increasingly difficult to maintain smooth relations with Iran. But what links are there between Japan and Iran? What good will between Tokyo and Tehran to improve their relationship? Read Now

By Gordon Jones -- Japan-Arabia commercial relations uncovered -- Most descriptions of Arabia these days command superlatives: The world’s tallest tower; the world’s first 7-star hotel; the world’s three largest man-made islands, shaped as palm trees. The list goes on and makes the eyes boggle, and prospective suppliers salivate. According to the Middle East Economic Digest, the current level of Gulf projects planned or underway is a staggering US$2 trillion.

By Willhemina Wahlin and Dr Kaoru Natsuda -- Japan’s bid for a UNSC permanent seat: pipe dream or viability? -- There seems to be one point agreed on by almost everyone when it comes to the United Nations Security Council: It’s a time capsule of the post-World War II global power structure, hardly representative of the 21st Century political landscape, and reform is badly needed. But here the consensus comes to an abrupt halt. The sticking point: everyone seems to want an expansion of the permanent seats available, but no one can seem to agree on how many, and to whom the honor should be bestowed upon—and why. Japan has long been campaigning for permanent membership of one of the most exclusive clubs in the world, but it has an uphill battle ahead if it is to convince its closest neighbors that it deserves one. But the real question is, does anyone really deserve a seat?

St Paddy's saw Omotesando closed off for the annual parade complete Guiness hot air balloons and Irish dancing. JIN takes a longer term look at the course of Ireland-Japan relations Read Now

2008 is not only the year of the mouse but also time to celebrate 'UK-Japan 2008', marking the 150th anniversary of Anglo-Japanese relations. We take a look at why Japan and the UK actually have a lot in common and trace the brief history of these two island countries.

With the election of Kevin Rudd to the Australian premiership many have speculated that there will be a cooling down of bilateral relations with Japan. This week's JIN takes a long view of the dynamic between the two countries, from iron ore exports to whale hunting. Read Now

Yasuo Fukuda, the new Japanese PM, is grey, sober, unexciting. But what does this mean for the world? This week we look at some of the key international relationships that he will have to engage with. Read Now

If Mr. Abe has gone to India to escape the heat, he is probably in for a disappointment, although he is at least out of the political heat back home for a while. But what is Mr. Abe doing there and what does this visit mean for the alleged convergence in India-Japan relations? Read Now

This week's newsletter takes in rugby, judo, The Last Samurai, and even a junior high school English textbook as it attempts to paint a picture of Japan-New Zealand relations and their political, cultural and commercial dimensions. Read Now

Secret bank accounts, illicit affairs, slush funds, love children, sumo, manga and Franco-Japanese relations.
All featuring in this week's Japan Inc Newsletter Read Now