Japan, France see eye to eye on rare earths, safe Hormuz passage | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed to boost bilateral cooperation to diversify supply chains for critical minerals such as rare earth elements as China tightens ...

Takaichi tries to play it both ways -- embrace the Don while hedging with Macron. This is not likely to work well over time.
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...

Trump says S. Korea 'not helpful,' cites U.S. troops near 'nuclear force' on peninsula | Yonhap News Agency By Song Sang-ho WASHINGTON, April 1 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesd...

Trump says S. Korea 'not helpful,' cites U.S. troops near 'nuclear force' on peninsula | Yonhap News Agency en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN2026...

The Impact of the Iran War on the Korean Peninsula - Korea Economic Institute of America South Korea now faces not only the fear of entrapment in the Middle East conflict, but also the fear of abandonment due to the U.S. deployment request.

keia.org/the-peninsul...

Japan denies U.S. official’s claim Takaichi pledged to send MSDF to Mideast The government's top spokesman denied the claim by U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi had committed to sending vessels to the region.

Are the chickens from the Takaichi embrace of Trump coming home to roost now in Japan? Not entirely clear yet but this attempt to suppress the Waltz comments is a sign of a darkening of the otherwise sunny view of that summit.
www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03...

ゼレンスキー氏の二の舞は避けられたが「日本の指導者はひざまずかなければならなかった」　後味悪い日米首脳会談 「韓信の股くぐり」だったのでしょうか？イラン攻撃が続き世界情勢が不透明感に包まれる中で行われた日米首脳会談。高市早苗首相の言動や態度に注目が集まりました。米国の専門家らに評価を聞きました。

My comments to the Asahi on the trump/Takaichi summit.
makino-asahi.theletter.jp/posts/228a32...

No surprises | Japan Daily Briefing Trump and Takaichi avoid friction in DC,

Takaichi meets Trump, the Japanese government weighs its options in the crisis, and the BOJ holds as it waits to see the impact of the crisis. Meanwhile, with the prime minister away, her goal of passing the budget by the end of the month is in trouble.

observingjapan.substack.com/p/no-surpris...

Trump lauds Japan’s promise, however vague, to help with Iran But the allies offering to help secure the Strait of Hormuz made no firm commitments.

Trump lauds Japan’s promise, however vague, to help with Iran - POLITICO www.politico.com/news/2026/03...

(LEAD) Trump calls on Japan to 'step up' as U.S. seeks to keep Strait of Hormuz open | Yonhap News Agency (ATTN: ADDS more info in paras 12-19)By Song Sang-ho WASHINGTON, March 19 (Yonhap) -- U....

Trump calls on Japan to 'step up' as U.S. seeks to keep Strait of Hormuz open | Yonhap News Agency en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN2026...

How the War in Iran Reshapes South Korea and Japan’s Nuclear Strategy - Korea Economic Institute of America Iran’s failure to achieve nuclear latency has significant implications for South Korea and Japan’s thinking on their own nuclear strategy.

The failure of nuclear latency to prevent an attack on #Iran could have far-reaching implications for the nuclear ambitions of South Korea and Japan, writes @dcsneider.bsky.social.

My latest, looking at the impact of the Iran war on the nuclear strategy of Japan and South Korea, for KEI.
keia.org/the-peninsul...

My latest, looking at the impact of the Iran war on the nuclear strategy of Japan and South Korea, for KEI.
keia.org/the-peninsul...

The $350 Billion MOU Moves Forward After South Korea Passes Investment Act - Korea Economic Institute of America While annual investment funding is capped at USD 20 billion, the full package including $150 billion in shipbuilding must be announced by January 2029.

keia.org/the-peninsul...

South Korea objects to US military moving air defense system to Middle East Seoul opposes shifting U.S. air defenses to Middle East but says deterrence against North Korea remains strong despite partial THAAD redeployment.

The president of South Korea this week opposed the removal of U.S. air defense systems from his country to the Middle East but said doing so will not significantly affect Seoul’s ability to deter Pyongyang.

Fifteen years after Fukushima, Japan faces an energy dilemma Japan restarts its first nuclear reactor since Fukushima as the country grapples with energy security concerns, stalled renewable expansion and climate goals.

The Economist looks at nuclear energy in Japan, 15 years after Fukushima.
www.economist.com/asia/2026/03...

(News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats | Yonhap News Agency By Kim Hyun-soo SEOUL, March 10 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. Forces Korea (USFK)'s apparent...

This is called abandonment.
en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN2026...

Kim Jong Un Builds a Wall With South Korea at Party Congress - Korea Economic Institute of America Kim Jong Un’s speech at the Ninth Party Congress covered familiar themes on economic and military development and preconditions for dialogue with the United States, but revealed deep antagonism toward...

After Kim Jong Un's highly antagonistic remarks toward South Korea during the Ninth Congress of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party, @dcsneider.bsky.social looks ahead to what this may signify about future relations on the peninsula. ow.ly/AJPj50YolM4

[Column] US allies in the Gulf are in flames. Can Korea avoid a similar fate? If the US were to strike major Chinese cities with jets launched from Korea, it would not be Washington that erupts in smoke and death — it would be Seoul and Incheon

The view from the left in Korea -- fear of entanglement rises in response to Iran attack and dustup over USFK exercises in Yellow Sea.
english.hani.co.kr/arti/english...

Kim Jong Un at party congress builds a wall with South Korea - Asia Times The Ninth Congress of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party covered ground this past week that was familiar from its last gathering five years ago. Kim Jong

My view of the North Korean party congress republished in Asia Times.
asiatimes.com/2026/02/kim-...

Kim Jong Un Builds a Wall With South Korea at Party Congress - Korea Economic Institute of America Kim Jong Un’s speech at the Ninth Party Congress covered familiar themes on economic and military development and preconditions for dialogue with the United States, but revealed deep antagonism toward...

My look at the message delivered at the North Korean party Congress by Kim Jong Un, for KEI.
keia.org/the-peninsul...

The Ellisons will Paramount-ize CNN, which seems included in the new offer, to become a pro-MAGA all-news network. Or they will rename CNN something like "CBS 24 News." This way, Trump and Vance won't have to depend on the Murdochs and FOX News, but can build up CNN as an in-house mouthpiece.

An emboldened Kim flaunts nuclear ambitions while leaving room for U.S. talks Offering “peaceful coexistence or eternal confrontation,” North Korea’s leader said he would only restart talks if the U.S. ends “hostile” policies and accepts Pyongyang’s nuclear status.

And nicely done by Michelle Lee of the Post. Headline does not fit the story, not unusual.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/0...

China piles pressure on Japan after Takaichi Sanae’s triumph The latest feud between the East Asian giants is unlikely to end soon

www.economist.com/asia/2026/02...

What North Korea’s mysterious party congress reveals Kim Jong Un uses a five-yearly gathering to boost his daughter, and more

The North Korean Workers Party congress is over -- now the analysis. What I saw -- no opening to Trump, a complete rejection of any form of engagement with South Korea, even a rejection of the goal of reunification, a totally militarized economy.
www.economist.com/asia/2026/02...

Japan PM says she personally doesn't approve of 'nuclear sharing' with US - The Mainichi TOKYO -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told a House of Representatives plenary session on Feb. 24 that she personally doesn't support

Takaichi says no to nuclear sharing -- an idea promoted by the late PM Abe, her mentor. Interesting.
mainichi.jp/english/arti...

What Happens to the U.S.-Korea Trade Deal With IEEPA Off the Table? - Korea Economic Institute of America The Trump administration’s ability to levy tariffs in other ways will likely persuade South Korea to keep its investment commitments under the tariff deal.

keia.org/the-peninsul...

South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk Yeol jailed for life for leading insurrection Ex-leader sentenced to life imprisonment with hard labour over failed martial law declaration in 2024

South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk Yeol jailed for life for leading insurrection | The Guardian www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...

Trump says "honored" to see Japan PM's party won big, touts his endorsement U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that he was "very honored" to see Japan's ruling party led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi win this month's general election by a landslide, suggesting his end...

Right on schedule, Trump takes credit for Takaichi's victory.
english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/7...

How Sana-mania swept Japan Sanae Takaichi’s sweeping victory, powered by personal popularity and digital savvy, now faces the hard test of governing

My analysis of how PM Takaichi won Japan’s election: a nationalist narrative, personal popularity and digital savvy. But lofty promises of strategic investment and national strength now face the constraints of fiscal reality and intensifying great power competition
eastasiaforum.org/2026/02/15/h...

Redrawing America’s Security Bargains in Northeast Asia - Korea Economic Institute of America The Trump administration’s attempts to redraw the security bargains with South Korea and Japan are creating growing tension and uncertainty.

The U.S. is reinterpreting its security agreements with Japan and South Korea in ways that could undermine stability and increase tensions and uncertainty in Northeast Asia, cautions @dcsneider.bsky.social: ow.ly/vTv250YeqGB

America’s security bargains in Northeast Asia are being redrawn - Asia Times The stability of Northeast Asia has long rested on two strategic bargains with South Korea and Japan, forged out of the Korean War and formalized in

My piece on the shift in US ties with Japan and Korea, republished in AsiaTimes.
asiatimes.com/2026/02/amer...