Tag "Shinzō Abe"

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Asia Pacific Economics

China territorial deadlocks hurt regional trade

Tensions between China and several East Asian countries have heated up over the last year. Is it simply another round of disputes that have occurred multiple times since 2007, or something

Asia Pacific Economics

Abenomics goes ‘all in’ with April tax hike

While March’s wage hike by Japan came as a bright spot amidst growing concern over Abenomics, will April’s 3 percentage point tax hike rain on Abe’s parade? Since sweeping back

Asia Pacific Politics

Masuzoe new Tokyo governor, defeats anti-nuclear rivals

Despite efforts to make Tokyo’s gubernatorial election a referendum on nuclear energy, Yoichi Masuzoe won by focusing on more basic economic issues. This reflects a desire to see “Abenomics” restore

Asia Pacific Security

Escalating tensions over Senkaku/Diaoyu islands underestimated

The political risks of the Senkaku/Diaoyu island dispute are heavily mispriced in global markets. Conflict is still on the table. For more than a year now Japan and China have

Asia Pacific Politics

Abe’s Yasakuni trip was a successful political gamble

The visit of Japanese prime minister Abe to the Yasakuni Shrine fueled tensions between Japan and its neighbors, drawing harsh rebuke for the glorification of militarism and a lack of

Asia Pacific Economics

Tokyo is passing its first TPP test with agricultural reform

The recent break by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party from the traditional partner, the agricultural lobby, and following announcements of a new agricultural policy heighten hope for the Trans-Pacific Partnership and

Asia Pacific Economics

One year in, is the honeymoon over for Abenomics?

Shinzo Abe celebrated his first year as Japanese Prime Minister in December, which also marked one year with Abenomics. For many, this will be a dismal anniversary, as the latest

Asia Pacific Politics

Japan’s electricity sector reform passed in wake of Fukushima

Shinzo Abe has overcome his first obstacle in liberalizing Japan’s electricity sector by securing passage of a key piece of legislation. Yet, whether this reform can reach its goals is

Asia Pacific Politics

Fukushima amplifies Japanese energy import dependence

The Fukushima disaster demonstrates Japan’s reliance on energy imports as Tokyo shuts down its reactors and spends billions on stop-gap energy production. When Typhoon Wipha flooded Japan with heavy rains last

Asia Pacific Economics

Will Abe finally lead Japan towards labour reform?

During an interview with the Financial Times last week, the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe warned that labour reforms in Japan might be delayed due to fears of strong opposition