Sahashi Ryo
Associate Professor of International Relations, Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, The University of TokyoArticles by Sahashi Ryo
Politics
The delicate balance of Japan-China relations and Japan-Taiwan relations
As the situation in the Taiwan Strait develops, Japan needs to navigate relations with mainland China and Taiwan, while also keeping in mind the role of the US as well as its own interests. Japanese academic Sahashi Ryo examines Japan's options and how it will acquit itself. He notes that Japan is now firmly in an age where the Japan-China and Japan-US relationships must always be considered together.
Sahashi Ryo
22 Sep 2022
Politics
Kishida will pick up the baton of Shinzo Abe's dream
Abe's major accomplishments are in his diplomacy and security policies, and these are the areas that will be highlighted when history passes judgement on him. PM Fumio Kishida has every reason to pick up where Abe left off, seeking to expand this grand vision of the Indo-Pacific and keep the unreliable US in check, but the biggest obstacle will be establishing a consensus within the ruling party.
Sahashi Ryo
27 Jul 2022
Politics
Biden's Asia tour: US deepening its commitments to counter China
US President Joe Biden's recent visit to Asia was made with China in mind, as he met with Quad partners South Korea, Japan, Australia and India, and launched the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). At the very least, says Japanese academic Ryo Sahashi, the visit signals that the US is keen on setting the rules in the region and keeping a firm security presence especially vis-à-vis the Taiwan Strait.
Sahashi Ryo
03 Jun 2022
Politics
Japanese academic: Summit for Democracy showed weakness of Biden's diplomacy
Japanese academic Sahashi Ryo notes that the US-led Summit for Democracy met with a lukewarm response in Asia because it smacked of the US trying to impose its ideas on other nations. Not only that, given the Biden administration's poor listening skills, their talk of valuing partnerships with allied countries rings hollow.
Sahashi Ryo
29 Dec 2021
Politics
Japanese academic: US moving away from ASEAN centrality to defend its regional interests
With AUKUS and the Quad, Japanese academic Sahashi Ryo argues that the US is seeking to distance itself from the region's ASEAN-centric mechanisms, despite assurances to the contrary. While both the US and China are working hard to make their presence felt in the region, Ryo says someone is acting out of undue haste and probably needs more time to figure out how to create its desired world order under mounting competition.
Sahashi Ryo
06 Oct 2021
Politics
Japanese academic: If US diplomacy lacks a strong base, how can it demonstrate true leadership?
Japanese academic Sahashi Ryo notes that with Biden taking office, the US needs to look at the changing needs of diplomacy and rebuild international relationships, and figure out how to negotiate its ties with China.
Sahashi Ryo
04 Dec 2020
Politics
Japan's foreign policy under Yoshihide Suga: Countering chaos with pragmatism
Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga has been confirmed as Japan's incoming prime minister, following a vote in parliament today. What would his foreign policy priorities be as prime minister?
Sahashi Ryo
16 Sep 2020
Politics
Covid-19: A leaderless age is fast approaching
Like scales falling from their eyes, the international community is seeing how a dearth of global leadership has left countries flailing for themselves since the onset of the pandemic. Who or what will step forward and take up the leadership mantle? Not the US, and not China either.
Sahashi Ryo
29 Apr 2020
