2023年12月

Economy

Japan’s Economic Transition in the Global Context

The recent depreciation of the yen has ignited a multifaceted discussion about its consequences and the evolving landscape of Japan’s economy. While this depreciation has certainly bolstered the export sector and improved corporate performance, it has also raised concerns about the impact on the average citizen’s purchasing power. Japan’s persistent structural trade deficits and its significant reliance on government spending have provided a safety net against fiscal collapse. However, this approach has come at the cost of eroding the credibility of its currency on the global stage. The currency markets bear the brunt of these adjustments, leading to the continuous depreciation of the yen. While this may benefit exporters and...

Politics

Breaking Barriers: Japan’s Communist Party on the Brink of Historic Leadership Change

The Communist Party of Japan, a political mainstay for over a century, is poised for its first leadership change since 2000, with Tomoko Tamura, the 58-year-old policy chief, set to make history as the party’s first female leader. Amidst dwindling support for opposition coalitions and organizational weakening, this surprising appointment could be a strategic move to revitalize the party’s influence. Tamura’s rise to prominence was sealed at the 10th Central Committee General Assembly, where she took the helm from Kazuo Shii, the incumbent leader, to propose a draft resolution for the party’s 29th Congress in January 2024. Her powerful closing speech, echoed by the party’s newspaper, ‘Shimbun Akahata,’ marked a...