Okinawa protests, the U.S.-Japan alliance, and the strategic big picture
June 28, 2016Author: Al Jazeera's Inside Story
Categories: In the News
The horrific murder of an Okinawan woman by an American has stirred large-scale protests in opposition to the United States’ large military presence on the island, but the strategic value of the island “cannot be underestimated” when considering calls to remove American bases, Sasakawa USA’s distinguished non-resident fellow Tomohiko Taniguchi said while appearing on Al
Tags: al jazeera, Defense, east china sea, Henoko, henoko plan, in the news, inside story, military, Okinawa, protests, security, sofa, South China Sea, tomohiko taniguchi, us bases, us bases in okinawa, us-japan alliance, usmc
JPP: Cabinet approval continues to soften in latest polls
March 7, 2016Author: Tobias Harris
Categories: Japan Political Pulse
Two recent polls show that the Japanese cabinet’s approval is once again in what can be described as a “softening” cycle. New polls by the Yomiuri Shimbun and the Mainichi Shimbun both showed headline approval falling. In the case of Yomiuri, the fall was slight, 52% to 49%. Mainichi recorded a sharper fall: the cabinet’s approval fell nine points to 42% and its disapproval rose eight points to 38%.
Tags: Abenomics, approval rating, Cabinet, Collective Self-Defense, Democratic Party of Japan, disapproval rating, Futenma, Henoko, house of councillors, japan innovation party, japan political pulse, jpp, Liberal Democratic Party, Mainichi Shimbun, Okinawa, poll, Shinzo Abe, tobias harris, Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan’s security issues take center stage in 3-part Q&A with Sasakawa USA’s Jeffrey Hornung
February 2, 2016Author: The Sekai Nippo
Categories: In the News, Sasakawa USA Blog
The strategic importance of Okinawa, the next steps needed to strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance and the status of Japan-Korea relations are among a wide range of issues Sasakawa USA’s Jeffrey Hornung discusses in a three-part Q&A series in the The Sekai Nippo that ran from January 31 to February 2.
Tags: China, Collective Self-Defense, comfort women, Defense, east china sea, elections, Japan, jeffrey hornung, maritime security, Okinawa, Senkaku, senkaku islands, South China Sea, South Korea, us-japan alliance
New York Times editorial lauds Sasakawa USA report as ‘new thinking’ on Okinawa
January 27, 2016Author: The New York Times
Categories: In the News, Sasakawa USA Blog
A New York Times editorial from January 22, 2016 references “U.S. Bases in Okinawa: What Must Be Done, and Quickly,” a report by Sasakawa USA Chairman Admiral Dennis Blair and Sasakawa Fellow James Kendall, as “new thinking that could potentially reduce the friction and pry the [Okinawa] plan out of its political vise.”
Tags: admiral dennis blair, bases, editorial, in the news, James Kendall, New York Times, Okinawa
Ties with Okinawan people emphasized at report roll-out event
January 19, 2016Categories: Sasakawa USA Blog
About 50 people gathered to attend a breakfast event last Thursday morning to introduce and talk in-depth on U.S. Bases in Japan, the subject of a new report authored by Sasakawa USA CEO and Chairman Admiral Dennis Blair and Fellow Lt. Col. James Kendall. Lt. Gen. Wallace “Chip” Gregson, who authored an introduction to the
Tags: admiral dennis blair, China, chip gregson, event, Guam, James Kendall, North Korea, Okinawa, report, research, roll-out, us bases in japan, us-japan alliance