Yuko Nakano

Oct 28, 2024 | csis.org | Nicholas Szechenyi |Yuko Nakano |Japan Chair

Japan held a general election for the lower house of the National Diet (Japan’s parliament) on October 27, following Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru’s decision to call for a snap election shortly after his victory in the contested leadership race of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) last month. The LDP and its junior coalition partner Komeito lost their majority, which will likely increase pressure on Ishiba from both his detractors in the LDP and political opposition.

Sep 27, 2024 | csis.org | Nicholas Szechenyi |Yuko Nakano |Japan Chair

Today Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) elected Ishiba Shigeru as its new leader, with a parliamentary vote set for October 1 to officially appoint Ishiba as the new prime minister. Ishiba prevailed over eight other candidates in a contested leadership race after Kishida Fumio chose not to seek reelection after nearly three years in office.

Aug 16, 2024 | csis.org | Christopher Johnstone |Nicholas Szechenyi |Yuko Nakano |Japan Chair

In a move that stunned Japan’s political world, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio announced on August 14 that he would not seek reelection as leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in September—a decision that effectively ends his tenure as prime minister. Kishida will leave behind a legacy of historic change in Japan’s defense and national security policies that won respect from the Biden administration.

Feb 22, 2024 | csis.org | Yuko Nakano |Japan Chair

On February 19 Japan hosted the Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction in Tokyo, drawing participation from 130 firms representing both countries. The conference concluded with the signing of 56 agreements between businesses and government officials from Ukraine and Japan, encompassing various sectors such as infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and information technology.

Apr 17, 2023 | csis.org | Yuko Nakano |Japan Chair

Four months into 2023, the diplomatic agenda has kept Japan’s prime minister Kishida Fumio fully engaged. He started off the year with a trip to the European capitals, capped with the White House summit with President Biden in January. He continues to build on the momentum by deepening engagement with NATO and the Global South.