Rajaram Panda
Hatoyama Battles to Wrest Control Power from the Bureaucrats
With Hatoyama’s determination to wrest policymaking power from bureaucrats in full swing, Japan is likely to witness an intense battle between the political masters and the powerful bureaucrats for supremacy.
Tension in the Korean Peninsula escalates again
The delicately maintained peace in the Korean peninsula once again looks fragile in the wake of the war of words and exchange of artillery fire along the disputed western sea border in January 2010.
The Ozawa Phenomena in Japanese Politics
Ozawa’s clout, power and influence remain formidable and he is likely to remain an active player in Japanese politics.
Hiccups in Sino-US Relations over Arms Sales to Taiwan
The military dialogue seems likely to remain suspended over the arms sales issue; discord over Iran’s nuclear issue may increase and more war of words may define the relationships between the two countries.
Convergence of Strategic Interests between India and Japan
The Joint Statement catapulted India-Japan strategic and global partnership to a “New Stage” in which the bilateral relationship is going to be deepened on all fronts, embracing regional, global and economic issues.
Japan Beefs up its Naval Capability
To assuage fears, Japan might see merit to take India on board in the form of a naval cooperation framework to secure peace at sea. Developments in the past 4-5 years in India-Japan relations point towards that direction.
Assessing Hatoyama in Office
After Yukio Hatoyama assumed the office of Prime Minister, Japan’s foreign policy has begun to look different with an element of assertiveness and a greater focus towards Asia.
India and Japan: Strengthening Defence Co-operation
There is a growth trajectory in defence cooperation between India and Japan, complemented by the burgeoning economic relationship providing robustness to the partnership.
Community Building in the Asia-Pacific: Ideas, Concepts and the United States
Notwithstanding the community formation ideas in different shapes coming from Japan and Australia, the EAS came out with as many as 42 deals on issues ranging from outstanding trade and economic matters to the launch of a human rights commission.
East Asian Regionalism Vs Asian Regionalism
The appropriate option for the Hatoyama government would be to take incremental steps aimed at building greater confidence and trust amongst Asian nations across a number of policy fronts rather than indulge in advancing grand ideas which appear at the moment unachievable.
