Trump approves Nippon Steel's deal for US Steel: the president appears to have decided the transaction poses no threat to national security after a second review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.

With an unpredictable US and a defiant China, the EU and Japan must deepen their alignment—fast. Strategic cooperation is essential to shaping, not just surviving, the new global order, writes @ellipohlkamp.bsky.social @ecfrasia.bsky.social

My recent commentary for ECFR👉🏻No time to drift: Trump, China, and the urgency of a stronger EU-Japan alignment: ecfr.eu/article/no-t...

Japan says ‘every option’ on table against Donald Trump’s 25% car tariffs via @FT t.co/uJ4JY3CNhD

Would be helpful if more ntl security reporters would focus a bit on this Tucker interview. It is appalling. Both content, and that he did it in the first place. The transcript demonstrates that Witkoff is biased, misinformed, naive, out of his league, and unqualified for this job.

Japan, China hold 1st high-level economic dialogue in 6 yrs english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/03...

Japan, China, South Korea agree to promote "future-oriented" cooperation english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/03...

🎙️ Together with @robertalanward.bsky.social and @kazutosuzuki.bsky.social, @ellipohlkamp.bsky.social explores Japan’s economic security policy and the future of Japan-China economic relations. Listen to the new Japan Memo episode ⬇️

Japan, U.S., South Korea top diplomats reaffirm 'unshakeable' trilateral ties www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/02...

🇺🇸carefully created an opening for Beijing to present itself as rooting for 🇺🇦and 🇪🇺seat at the table — a seat that is being denied by the Trump Administration. The US presented Wang Yi with the best possible Munich weekend he could have imagined. 🇨🇳delegation must have truly had fun.

Did not expect this one: Czech foreign minister and former IPAC member Jan Lipasky smiling with Wang Yi From Chinese readout: "Czech gov pursues a one-China policy, does not support "Taiwan independence", and is willing to work with China to develop good political relations"

Japan, U.K. to Hold Economic 2+2 Meeting in Tokyo in March japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/pol...

Japan, US eye defense chiefs’ meeting in Japan in late March mainichi.jp/english/arti...

Japan exploring more defense transfers with the Philippines www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/02...

Japan exploring drone production capabilities for military aid program www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/02...

Let’s look at some of the people Musk and Trump just killed: in Thai-Myanmar border migrant camp Umpiem Mai, more than 10k displaced people. USAID withdrawal meant immediate closure of hospital: “multiple patients, relying on oxygen support, died” www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02...

In their first summit meeting, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed U.S. involvement in Japan’s defense, including the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/polit…

Trump says Nippon Steel will not purchase but invest in U.S. Steel asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Tr... via @NikkeiAsia

Trump seeks to slash Japan trade deficit through LNG exports, tariffs asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Trum… via @NikkeiAsia

China will file a claim with the WTO and "take necessary countermeasures to safeguard its interests", its Ministry of Commerce said on Sunday after the US announced it would impose tariffs on Chinese goods. www.scmp.com/news/china/d...

WSJ verdict: The Dumbest Trade War in History www.wsj.com/opinion/dona...

One current State Department official, plus two former Biden administration officials, said the pause appears to stop aid to key allies such as Ukraine, Jordan and Taiwan.

Quite a pointed lecture "Wang Yi said that a major country should behave like a major country, shoulder its due international responsibilities, safeguard world peace, and help all countries achieve common development. I hope you will take good care of yourself and play a constructive role"

Ein Leak aus der @FinancialTimes, der viel zu wenig Aufmerksamkeit bekommen hat. So konkret sind die bereits Jahre alten (!) russischen Szenarien für einen potentiellen Angriffskrieg gegenüber Japan und Südkorea. www.ft.com/content/d345...

Nippon Steel is considering taking legal action against the U.S. government after President Joe Biden decided to block the company's acquisition of U.S. Steel, the Japanese steelmaker said Monday.

Spot on. Biden deserves praise for Chips & IRA. But he fell down on binding allies into a broader industrial vision. IPEF a disaster. No steel-aluminum deal w/the EU. Overall trade policy & Nippon Steel decision both showed how domestic politics trumped strategy open.substack.com/pub/noahpini...

It will be a massive challenge for Europe to keep its bearings on China—let alone work hand in hand with Washington—if cronyism, conflicts of interest, and cold “America First” commercial calculations are permeating US policy My first Watching China in Europe of 2025👇 www.gmfus.org/news/watchin...

Chinese and Russian forces are intruding further into Japan's territory than ever before, and DPRK missile test activity remains high. This excellent infographic captures the activity. asia.nikkei.com/static/vdata...

Lee Jae Myung: “Obeying an unconstitutional and unlawful order from a superior also makes one an accomplice… I urge the members of the armed forces and the police to swiftly return to their original positions and fulfill their rightful duties.” m.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=...

I was preparing to pitch an op-ed on the nationwide protests calling for President Yoon's resignation, aiming to provide global context amid the limited international coverage. Given the urgency, I’m sharing it now. I didn’t expect events to escalate this quickly. #SouthKorea #Democracy

Article 77(5) of the Korean Constitution allows for the cancellation of martial law if half of the members of the National Assembly demand it. Even if the National Assembly is physically closed, members can hold meetings online according to the Law regarding the National Assembly #stopthecoup #Korea

Opposition Democratic Party has sent out a text message to all party members (as in regular people) to gather at party headquarters near the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. A clash is coming between the protesters and military/police that will decide the fate of martial law and Yoon.

I've been reposting good accounts to follow but @kfriedhoff.bsky.social, @benjaminaengel.bsky.social, and @minseonku.bsky.social are providing great realtime analysis of Yoon's declaration of martial law.

This is news: Japan, U.K. and Italy to invite Saudi Arabia to next-gen fighter project asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Def... via @NikkeiAsia

Russia's defence minister visits North Korea, agencies report

Australian social media ban started with call to act by politician's wife

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump faces a dilemma in strengthening ties with India after U.S. prosecutors charged Gautam Adani — India’s most powerful businessman and a close ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi — in a $250 million bribery scheme.

Economists expect Chinese exports to reach a historical high this year as customers rush to front-load orders given President-elect Donald Trump’s threat of higher tariffs.

The EU should continue to seek opportunities to engage partners in Asia on trade, on climate, and on security, write Alexander Lipke, James Crabtree & Elli-Katharina Pohlkamp. @ecfrasia.bsky.social ecfr.eu/article/when...

When East meets West meets Trump’s America: European diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific: ecfr.eu/article/when...

US Navy sailors stand in formation to form Japanese kanji and hiragana characters spelling “hisashiburi”, which translates to “long time, no see,” on flight deck of aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) while underway in Pacific Ocean on Nov. 6.

Chinese satellite company to challenge Elon Musk’s Starlink in Brazil https://www.ft.com/content/af680581-9944-40aa-aeeb-30bc6a302aca

Japan hosted a gathering of the Five Eyes intelligence partnership Wednesday, the first time a nonmember state has done so, in a move that highlights the growing cooperation between Tokyo and its Western allies.

Okay, I pulled together a Japanese politics and foreign policy starter pack. Let me know if there's anyone I missed or anyone I should add! go.bsky.app/AfC148e

Japanese troops will train alongside US rotational forces in Australia’s north starting from 2025 – Bloomberg

#Taiwan and Japan held meetings on the sideline of the leaders' summit. Japanese PM Ishiba reiterated the importance of maintaining stability and peace across the Taiwan Strait and Japan's support for Taiwan's participation in international organizations. www.cna.com.tw/news/aipl/20...

New from me on more details about this new announcement - Japan and US will also join the AUS-PNG military exercise next year, while Talisman Sabre in 2027 will include a missile live fire event Australia, Japan and United States announce military exercises in Darwin www.sbs.com.au/news/podcast...