East Asia Insights

East Asia Insights is an occasional policy brief that was launched by JCIE in 2006 in order to share a Japanese perspective on critical issues and challenges facing the region. The briefs are authored by Hitoshi Tanaka, a senior fellow at JCIE and chairman of the Institute for International Strategy at the Japan Research Institute. He previously served as Japan’s deputy minister for foreign affairs. Opinions expressed in East Asia Insights are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position or views of JCIE.

Keeping the United States Engaged in Asia

October 2010

This issue addresses the changing balance of power in East Asia–from Cold War bipolarity to post-Cold War unipolarity to a new power configuration tilting toward multipolarity–and the consequent debat…

Hatoyama's Resignation and Japan's Foreign Policy

June 2010

This issue analyzes Hatoyama’s resignation, and the effects of his fall and of the establishment of the new Kan government on Japan’s foreign and national security policy.

Futenma: Diplomatic Mess or Strategic Opportunity?

May 2010

This issue discusses the need to resolve the Futenma dispute and transform this diplomatic mess into an opportunity to consolidate and strengthen the US-Japan alliance.

The US-Japan Alliance: Beyond Futenma

February 2010

This issue discusses the need to reassess the US-Japan alliance to ensure that it is equipped to face the challenges of the 21st century.

Japan Under the DPJ

September 2009

This issue discusses the results of the August 30th general election, which brought a surprising LDP defeat, and the implications of this dramatic change for Japan’s domestic politics and foreign poli…

The North Korea Nuclear Crisis: Five Guiding Principles

July 2009

This edition of East Asia Insights analyzes five guiding principles for approaching the North Korea nuclear crisis; these include recognizing North Korea as a nuclear state, policy consistency among t…

A New Vision for the US-Japan Alliance

April 2009

This issue discusses the partnership between Japan and the United States, which must evolve into a more inclusive and comprehensive force for peace, stability, cooperation, and prosperity throughout t…

Getting China Policy Right

December 2008

This issue discusses the massive scale of China’s expansion and scope of its global influence, and the need for a renewed emphasis on getting China policy right to maintain continued prosperity and st…

Revisiting the North Korea Issue

October 2008

As the challenge of North Korea continues to loom large, the international community faces an environment of uncertainty following events such as Kim Jong-il’s health problems and Pyongyang’s recent m…

The Crisis of Global Governance and the Rise of East Asia

September 2008

With the November US presidential election approaching, this special edition incorporates and expands elements raised in previous issues, examining them in the context of the global governance system,…