https://www.scmp.com/rss/522277/feed Waseda University: A prominent Tokyo-based private research university, Waseda University was founded in 1882. Dedicated to the independence and practical application of scholarship, and fostering good global citizens, its mission is to cultivate leaders. The university offers a broad range of disciplines across its numerous undergraduate and graduate schools, including humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. Recognised as one of Japan’s most prestigious and global... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Julian Ryall Julian Ryall Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has been accused of “taking flattery to the extreme” after she informed US President Donald Trump on Tuesday about her plan to nominate him for next year’s Nobel Peace Prize. According to White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, Takaichi told Trump that she would recommend him for the Nobel Peace Prize. Trump has been complaining about the Nobel Committee for not picking him to win the accolade despite what he says are his efforts to end multiple conflicts... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3330597/japans-pm-criticised-curry-favour-trump-over-nobel-peace-prize-plan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3330597/japans-pm-criticised-curry-favour-trump-over-nobel-peace-prize-plan?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Oct 2025 07:22:43 +0000 Julian Ryall Julian Ryall Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi faces the first major test of her diplomatic skills on Monday when US President Donald Trump arrives in Tokyo for a three-day visit, with the Japanese leader using her first week in office to institute policies designed to please her American counterpart. In a policy speech to the Diet on Friday, Takaichi vowed to bring forward a goal of defence spending matching 2 per cent of gross domestic product to the current financial year ending in March, two years earlier... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3330258/japans-pm-takaichi-faces-high-stakes-meeting-trump-over-defence-and-trade?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3330258/japans-pm-takaichi-faces-high-stakes-meeting-trump-over-defence-and-trade?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Oct 2025 03:00:22 +0000 Julian Ryall Julian Ryall Japan’s scientific community is celebrating two Nobel wins this week, but the accolades have also reignited concern over the country’s ability to retain its top researchers amid growing competition from overseas. The wins have renewed scrutiny of the country’s research system, with observers citing poor funding, job insecurity and rigid institutions as factors driving talent abroad – particularly to China. On Monday, the Nobel Assembly announced that Shimon Sakaguchi and two American colleagues... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3328351/japans-nobel-wins-shine-light-worrying-brain-drain-especially-generous-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3328351/japans-nobel-wins-shine-light-worrying-brain-drain-especially-generous-china?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Oct 2025 00:00:13 +0000 Julian Ryall Julian Ryall Sanae Takaichi is poised to make history as Japan’s first female prime minister, but her government may be imperilled before it even begins amid a deepening rift within the ruling coalition. The Liberal Democratic Party Takaichi now leads and its long-time junior partner, Komeito, have been in coalition for 26 years. Without Komeito’s parliamentary support, the LDP would lose its majority in the Diet, forcing its leader to seek new political allies. Yet analysts warn that Takaichi’s hardline... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3328004/japans-first-female-pm-hits-political-gridlock-she-even-takes-office?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3328004/japans-first-female-pm-hits-political-gridlock-she-even-takes-office?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Oct 2025 00:00:09 +0000 Dewey Sim,Yuanyue Dang Dewey Sim,Yuanyue Dang Tensions between Beijing and Tokyo may escalate further with Sanae Takaichi poised to become Japan’s next leader, observers warn, citing her controversial positions on the Taiwan issue and Japanese wartime history. Takaichi, a former internal affairs minister known for her conservative views, was chosen to lead Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on Saturday in a run-off vote against more moderate candidate Shinjiro Koizumi. The victory sets her up to be Japan’s fifth prime minister in... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3327888/what-will-rise-sanae-takaichi-mean-chinas-ties-japan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3327888/what-will-rise-sanae-takaichi-mean-chinas-ties-japan?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Oct 2025 12:45:22 +0000 Julian Ryall Julian Ryall A leading contender to become Japan’s next prime minister has sparked backlash from conservatives after suggesting the removal of Class A war criminals from the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, a “bold” idea that analysts say could help repair strained ties with neighbouring countries over Tokyo’s wartime history. Yoshimasa Hayashi, the chief cabinet secretary and a front-runner in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party leadership race on Saturday, proposed separating the “souls” of 14 men convicted... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3327856/japanese-politicians-call-remove-yasukunis-war-criminals-sparks-right-wing-anger?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3327856/japanese-politicians-call-remove-yasukunis-war-criminals-sparks-right-wing-anger?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Oct 2025 02:00:34 +0000 Julian Ryall Julian Ryall Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is set to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he is expected to urge sweeping reform of the UN Security Council, which Tokyo has long criticised as “dysfunctional” and unfit for today’s world order. Ishiba left for New York on Tuesday morning, telling reporters just before his departure, “After reflecting on the 80 years since the founding of the United Nations, I would like to state that now is the time to... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3326559/can-japan-shake-un-security-council-ishiba-make-last-ditch-appeal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3326559/can-japan-shake-un-security-council-ishiba-make-last-ditch-appeal?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Sep 2025 09:43:20 +0000 Julian Ryall Julian Ryall Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is presiding over a political “house of cards” that analysts say is looking more shaky every day, as he continues to resist growing calls from within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to step down. This week, the chorus demanding Ishiba’s resignation grew louder after the LDP released an internal report examining its dismal performance in July’s Upper House election. The party lost 18 seats, leaving it short of a parliamentary majority even with its... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3324332/japans-house-cards-ishiba-clings-power-hawks-demand-ldp-election?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3324332/japans-house-cards-ishiba-clings-power-hawks-demand-ldp-election?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:00:14 +0000 Julian Ryall Julian Ryall South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s push for closer ties with Tokyo has upended expectations in Japan, with analysts describing his outreach as a pragmatic shift that could reshape the tone of bilateral ties long coloured by historical disputes. Lee is due in Japan on Saturday for a two-day summit with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, with the two leaders expected to sign several agreements spanning trade, youth exchange and security. The visit also marks the 60th anniversary of the... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3322845/south-korea-needs-japan-lee-and-ishiba-meet-hopes-closer-ties-grow?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3322845/south-korea-needs-japan-lee-and-ishiba-meet-hopes-closer-ties-grow?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 Aug 2025 10:33:48 +0000 Julian Ryall Julian Ryall Japan is drawing up plans to build and upgrade shipyards that could support the repair of US Navy vessels, in a strategic move seen as both an economic security measure and a bargaining chip in fraught trade and defence burden-sharing talks with US President Donald Trump’s administration. The proposal, expected to be finalised in the autumn, includes a government-backed “national dockyard” initiative under which Tokyo would finance the restoration or construction of facilities before handing... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3316542/japan-plans-us69-billion-shipyard-push-us-trade-defence-talks-leverage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3316542/japan-plans-us69-billion-shipyard-push-us-trade-defence-talks-leverage?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Jul 2025 01:30:19 +0000