Tobias Harris

Hell yes.

For non-Japanese readers, this is literally "postwar politics and onsens," i.e. hot springs resorts as a setting for postwar politics.

The perfect book does not exi...

www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0CRKLC33...

Oh man, would have loved to be at that show.

Serious (rhetorical) question, has he ever seen how children use up pencils during the course of a school year's worth of homework?

One hurdle cleared? | Japan Daily Briefing Takaichi may have solved the budget but electoral reform bill still faces significant challenges

The Takaichi government may have the votes to pass its supplemental budget, but the electoral reform bill is still held up, potentially exacerbating tensions between LDP and Ishin. Meanwhile, new concerns that more Chinese military activity could be yet to come. open.substack.com/pub/observin...

I'm about 40 pages into Suga's memoirs and so far it's mostly a continuation of his first book, i.e. the work of politics is making bureaucrats do things for the people.

I think the most likely explanation is that something got garbled or misconstrued by an author relying exclusively on secondary sources.

(No, bad, stop, you have enough on your plate.)

There's probably an interesting book to be written, maybe called something like Japan in the geopolitical imagination, that looks at the thread from Meiji era visitors to Haushofer to Kennan in 1948 to Kahn and Brzezinski in the '70s.

Diet takes up the supplemental budget | Japan Daily Briefing Takaichi defends her budget, while the ruling parties are still looking for a way to pass their electoral reform bill

In today’s Japan Daily Briefing, the Diet began discussing the supplemental budget, the LDP has failed to convince opposition to begin debate on the LDP-Ishin electoral reform bill, and Tokyo reacts to China’s claims that Japan was to blame for the aerial encounter. open.substack.com/pub/observin...

But when it talks of "filling the vacuum" that doesn't sound like something abstract.

I know of the Black Ocean society and the Black Dragon society, the latter of which was banned by the Occupation. But I've never heard of an organization that shared the name with the country and can't find any record that such an organization existed.

This is Herwig's "The Demon of Geopolitics" by the way.

I can't parse this at all.

And the incredible irony given this administration killed *the department we used to feed people* is just…wow.

Seeing a leader of the United States adopt this line is revolting. While the US remains imperfect, it is also the global leader in FDI as well as the world’s leading destination for inbound investment. China would love to have an economy like America’s.

I'm reading a biography of Haushofer and this...doesn't make any sense to me. Is he suggesting there was a secret society called the Dai Nippon Teikoku?

Also, if you are interested in subscribing, for the next week I'm offering annual subscriptions for 25% off.

observingjapan.substack.com/winterspecial

Diet takes up the supplemental budget | Japan Daily Briefing Takaichi defends her budget, while the ruling parties are still looking for a way to pass their electoral reform bill

In today’s Japan Daily Briefing, the Diet began discussing the supplemental budget, the LDP has failed to convince opposition to begin debate on the LDP-Ishin electoral reform bill, and Tokyo reacts to China’s claims that Japan was to blame for the aerial encounter. open.substack.com/pub/observin...

Kishi wearing a Cardinals hat. From Nov. 1958 issue of Time.

The problem with these jerks is *not* noise.

Radar locked | Japan Daily Briefing Japan protests risky encounter between Japanese and Chinese aircraft, while deepening defense ties with Australia

This edition of Japan Daily Briefing looks at some things to watch this week, as well as the "radar lock" incident, a defense ministerial with Australia, and efforts by opposition parties to coordinate their candidates for the next general election.

open.substack.com/pub/observin...

Interesting poll numbers in the Mainichi piece Tobias links to. It does look like Takaichi has solidified some of her support by "standing up to China."

Still, the questions of whether and how this resolves and the economic ramifications linger.

Cthulhu Fhtagn.

Missed this meeting from last week.

Radar locked | Japan Daily Briefing Japan protests risky encounter between Japanese and Chinese aircraft, while deepening defense ties with Australia

This edition of Japan Daily Briefing looks at some things to watch this week, as well as the "radar lock" incident, a defense ministerial with Australia, and efforts by opposition parties to coordinate their candidates for the next general election.

open.substack.com/pub/observin...

I didn't grow up in a place with spider crickets and I don't think I'll ever get used to them.