Archive - Observing Japan

Takaichi gets her supplemental budget | Japan Daily Briefing

Budget passes, but questions about fuel subsidies will continue

6 hrs ago • Tobias Harris

Episode 4: How the Takaichi government is thinking about Russia with James Brown

Plus: the Diet passes the supplemental budget, Takaichi readies a consumption tax cut, and Japan looks the Southeast Asia for arms exports

6 hrs ago • Tobias Harris

47:03

Supplemental budget breezes through lower house | Japan Daily Briefing

Upper House expected to vote on Friday

Jun 4 • Tobias Harris

Japan and China spar in Singapore | Japan Daily Briefing

Koizumi counters China's "new militarism" line on Japan

Jun 2 • Tobias Harris

May 2026

Episode 3: The state of the Japan-South Korea relationship with Dan Sneider

Plus: more details about the supplemental budget, the Diet passes intelligence reform, and Japan and the Philippines upgrade their relationship

May 29 • Tobias Harris

39:21

Towards another quasi-ally | Japan Daily Briefing

Japan and the Philippines move to upgrade their partnership

May 29 • Tobias Harris

Tamaki continues to play hard to get | Japan Daily Briefing

The expanded coalition dance continues

May 26 • Tobias Harris

Takaichi outlines budget plan | Japan Daily Briefing

Plus: an LDP panel approves national security recommendations, discouraging signs for Japan's relationship with China, and a troubling poll for Takaichi

May 26 • Tobias Harris

Tensions in the supplemental budget debate | Japan Daily Briefing

The government will have to find a balance between competing priorities

May 23 • Tobias Harris

Episode 2: Japan's Energy Security and the Hormuz Crisis with Jane Nakano

Plus: A supplemental budget, Takaichi's support in the LDP, and another Japan-ROK summit

May 22 • Tobias Harris

57:19

Question time | Japan Daily Briefing

Takaichi parries opposition questions

May 21 • Tobias Harris

Takaichi shuttles to South Korea | Japan Daily Briefing

But challenges await back home

May 20 • Tobias Harris

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