Tokyo Review
Posts By Michael Bosack
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5.4KPoliticsThe Political Implications of Abe’s Assassination
The assassination of former Prime Minister Abe has left several key vacancies in Japan's ruling LDP - and who can fill them...
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8.3KPoliticsThe Evolution of LDP Factions
On the surface the lower house election in October seemed to signal stability for Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). However, there...
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3.7KPoliticsThe LDP Leadership Election: Takeaways & What’s Next
While Kishida Fumio may celebrate his win as president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, his challenges are only beginning - with...
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7.2KSecurityThe Saga of Mageshima
Last month, media reported that the Japanese government would be purchasing a small island off the coast of Kagoshima to build a...
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10.4KSocietyRemembering Rikidōzan: The (Korean) Symbol of Japan’s Postwar Strength
Sunday, December 15 marked 53 years since the murder of a Japanese postwar icon Rikidōzan. Some may know of him as the...
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8.6KSocietyNew Era, New Rules for the Imperial Bloodline?
As the new Emperor is crowned, Japan's Imperial bloodline is down to only three heirs. Can the conservative post-war rules of succession...
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4.3KPoliticsOkinawa’s Referendum: A Primer
On February 24, the prefecture of Okinawa will hold a referendum on the construction of a major extension to the U.S. Marine...
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5.4KPoliticsCan an Abdicated Emperor Dabble in Politics?
Editor’s Note: this is the second in of a series of articles related to the imperial abdication and ascension scheduled for late...
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5.8KSecurityOkinawa’s Surprisingly Powerful Stakeholders
When it comes to base-hosting issues in Okinawa, there is a tendency of looking at stakeholders as binary groups—Okinawa versus the mainland,...
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6.4KSocietyWhat’s in an (Era) Name?
Japan's new era name will be revealed on April 1st, allowing just weeks to prepare for the change. Why was the timing...
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7.5KSecurityLocked On and Tuned Out: Understanding the Japan-Korea Radar Incident
On the last day of work before the government officially broke for the New Year’s holiday week, Japan’s Ministry of Defense released...
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5.8KPoliticsUnder-Qualified and In Charge
Japan's computer illiterate cybersecurity minister has been widely ridiculed - but is only the latest in a long line of underqualified government...