The power to navigate a changing Japan
I exchanged some emails with Nikkei Asia‘s Ken Moriyasu about Kishida’s ambitions for a story previewing Kishida’s state visit to the US. In stark contrast, Kishida has met Putin zero times since becoming prime minister in October 2021. In line with the West, he was quick to denounce Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, joining in sanctions … Continue reading Harris quoted in Nikkei Asia
I spoke with Morgan Chalfant of Semafor for a story that looked at how domestic politics in both the US and Japan are casting a shadow over Kishida’s state visit to the US. In Japan, officials are wondering what a return of Donald Trump to the White House might mean for the trajectory of the … Continue reading Harris quoted in Semafor
Key takeaways
Tobias Harris spoke with Motoko Rich of the New York Times ahead of Prime Minister Kishida Fumio’s trip to the United States in April. His quotes can be viewed below: At the summit this week, during which Mr. Kishida will also address a joint session of Congress, the leaders are expected to talk about closer … Continue reading Harris quoted in the New York Times
Tobias Harris was quoted in an article in the Washington Post by Michelle Ye Hee Lee on how Japan is thinking about the possibility of a second Trump administration. That early outreach laid the groundwork for Abe’s personality-driven diplomacy with Trump. And while the charm offensive wasn’t always effective, Abe’s approach helped quell concerns about managing … Continue reading Harris quoted in Washington Post
Tobias Harris was quoted by Linda Sieg in an article for Foreign Policy on the LDP’s kickback scandal and the outlook for Prime Minister Kishida. “The predictable stability that characterized Japanese politics since 2012 [when Abe led the LDP back to power after three years in opposition] is in all likelihood over,” wrote political analyst Tobias Harris, … Continue reading Harris quoted in Foreign Policy
Tobias Harris spoke with Eryk Bagshaw of the Sydney Morning Herald about Kishi Nobuchiyo and the future of the Abe-Kishi dynasty. Tobias Harris, a Japan analyst and former political staffer in Toko who wrote Abe’s biography The Iconoclast, said it was an inauspicious start to a political career. “I mean it just shows the challenge of … Continue reading Harris quoted in the Sydney Morning Herald
Tobias Harris spoke with Nikkei Asia‘s Ken Moriyasu for an account of Rahm Emanuel’s time as ambassador in Tokyo: Emanuel has also leaned on traditional Japan experts to deepen his understanding of the Japanese political system. Tobias Harris, deputy director of the Indo-Pacific program at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, briefed Emanuel … Continue reading Harris quoted in Nikkei Asia
KEY TAKEAWAYS
The Bank of Japan (BOJ) acted as expected, unwinding Kuroda-era policies including negative interest rates, yield curve control, and risk asset purchases.
But the BOJ’s move may be less significant in the near term: the bank will continue to purchase long-term bonds to prevent a sharp increase in interest rates, a decision that will suit Prime Minister Kishida Fumio.
The new interest rate outlook will also spur more debate within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) over the future of fiscal policy.
On 25 January 2024, I joined the Japan Society of Northern California to discuss the political outlook for Japan in 2024 with Akio Fujii from Nikkei and Larry Greenwood from the Japan Society.
Japan Foresight 