East Asia Forum
@eastasiaforum.bsky.social
Economics, Politics and Public Policy in East Asia and the Pacific.
Drawing on Shinzo Abe’s legacy, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is setting a new tempo in Japanese diplomacy, writes Mong Cheung.
Diplomatic assertiveness underpins Takaichi’s leadership
Drawing on Shinzo Abe’s legacy, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is setting a new tempo in Japanese diplomacy, writes Mong Cheung.
eastasiaforum.org
December 9, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Drawing on Shinzo Abe’s legacy, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is setting a new tempo in Japanese diplomacy, writes Mong Cheung.
Souring India–US relations under Trump 2.0 expose structural challenges facing Indian foreign policy and the need to re-evaluate its strategic autonomy, writes Chietigj Bajpaee.
Strained India–US relations under Trump 2.0 test India’s strategic autonomy
Souring India–US relations under Trump 2.0 expose structural challenges facing Indian foreign policy and the need to re-evaluate its strategic autonomy, writes Chietigj Bajpaee.
eastasiaforum.org
December 9, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Souring India–US relations under Trump 2.0 expose structural challenges facing Indian foreign policy and the need to re-evaluate its strategic autonomy, writes Chietigj Bajpaee.
ASEAN must strengthen its economic integration to build resilience against Trumpian economic coercion, writes Klaus Heinrich Raditio.
ASEAN struggles with the return of Trumpian diplomacy
ASEAN must strengthen its economic integration to build resilience against Trumpian economic coercion, writes Klaus Heinrich Raditio.
eastasiaforum.org
December 9, 2025 at 12:11 AM
ASEAN must strengthen its economic integration to build resilience against Trumpian economic coercion, writes Klaus Heinrich Raditio.
Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan fuelled nationalist narratives in both Japan and China, straining bilateral ties, writes Zhenlin Cui.
Nationalists play to the crowd in Japan–China relations
Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan fuelled nationalist narratives in both Japan and China, straining bilateral ties, writes Zhenlin Cui.
eastasiaforum.org
December 8, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan fuelled nationalist narratives in both Japan and China, straining bilateral ties, writes Zhenlin Cui.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's ambitious economic program mimics her mentor's 'Abenomics' agenda, but Japan's new economic realities mean that it may not be the right approach, writes our editorial board.
Sanaenomics’ fiscal arithmetic doesn’t add up
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's ambitious economic program mimics her mentor's 'Abenomics' agenda, but Japan's new economic realities mean that it may not be the right approach, writes our editorial board.
eastasiaforum.org
December 7, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's ambitious economic program mimics her mentor's 'Abenomics' agenda, but Japan's new economic realities mean that it may not be the right approach, writes our editorial board.
Time will tell how long Takaichi’s popularity can hold against her contradictory economic agenda and political constraints, writes Richard Katz.
Japan and the contradictions of Sanaenomics
Time will tell how long Takaichi’s popularity can hold against her contradictory economic agenda and political constraints, writes Richard Katz.
eastasiaforum.org
December 7, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Time will tell how long Takaichi’s popularity can hold against her contradictory economic agenda and political constraints, writes Richard Katz.
Kuala Lumpur’s rushed, unequal and fragile bilateral trade deal with the US threatens Malaysia credibility as an open, rules-based trading partner, writes Stewart Nixon.
The ART of the deal lost in US–Malaysia pact
Kuala Lumpur’s rushed, unequal and fragile bilateral trade deal with the US threatens Malaysia credibility as an open, rules-based trading partner, writes Stewart Nixon.
eastasiaforum.org
December 6, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Kuala Lumpur’s rushed, unequal and fragile bilateral trade deal with the US threatens Malaysia credibility as an open, rules-based trading partner, writes Stewart Nixon.
The rise of US transactionalism is opening space for middle powers to act as strategic accomplices, regardless of their liberal credentials, write Jonathan Ping and Umair Ghori.
Middle powers adapt to US transactionalism
The rise of US transactionalism is opening space for middle powers to act as strategic accomplices, regardless of their liberal credentials, write Jonathan Ping and Umair Ghori.
eastasiaforum.org
December 5, 2025 at 11:58 PM
The rise of US transactionalism is opening space for middle powers to act as strategic accomplices, regardless of their liberal credentials, write Jonathan Ping and Umair Ghori.
Washington stands to gain more from engaging constructively with ASEAN as a bloc, rather than with individual ASEAN states through transactional diplomacy, write Dmitry Grozoubinski and Felix Christian Haas.
US–ASEAN trade is too important for short-term thinking
Washington stands to gain more from engaging constructively with ASEAN as a bloc, rather than with individual ASEAN states through transactional diplomacy, write Dmitry Grozoubinski and Felix Christian Haas.
eastasiaforum.org
December 5, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Washington stands to gain more from engaging constructively with ASEAN as a bloc, rather than with individual ASEAN states through transactional diplomacy, write Dmitry Grozoubinski and Felix Christian Haas.
Unless structural biases are addressed, Indonesia’s national hero system risks functioning simply as an instrument of political expediency instead of a recognition of integrity, writes Nanda Julian Utama.
Indonesia’s new national heroes expose old biases and political agendas
Unless structural biases are addressed, Indonesia’s national hero system risks functioning simply as an instrument of political expediency instead of a recognition of integrity, writes Nanda Julian Utama.
eastasiaforum.org
December 4, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Unless structural biases are addressed, Indonesia’s national hero system risks functioning simply as an instrument of political expediency instead of a recognition of integrity, writes Nanda Julian Utama.
ASEAN cannot afford to be caught unprepared if a Taiwan crisis strands its citizens, writes Muhammad Waffaa Kharisma.
ASEAN must be ready if Taiwan crisis hits
ASEAN cannot afford to be caught unprepared if a Taiwan crisis strands its citizens, writes Muhammad Waffaa Kharisma.
eastasiaforum.org
December 4, 2025 at 11:53 AM
ASEAN cannot afford to be caught unprepared if a Taiwan crisis strands its citizens, writes Muhammad Waffaa Kharisma.
Chinese EV exports have attracted tariffs from the European Union, but these measures are lacklustre in the face of China's distinct market advantage, writes ZhongXiang Zhang.
China’s EV dominance sparks EU retaliation
Chinese EV exports have attracted tariffs from the European Union, but these measures are lacklustre in the face of China's distinct market advantage, writes ZhongXiang Zhang.
eastasiaforum.org
December 3, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Chinese EV exports have attracted tariffs from the European Union, but these measures are lacklustre in the face of China's distinct market advantage, writes ZhongXiang Zhang.
Afghanistan and Pakistan must pursue credible security cooperation to overcome the current cycles of cross-border violence. , writes Sajjad Ashraf.
Pakistan edges towards a ‘two-front’ crisis
Afghanistan and Pakistan must pursue credible security cooperation to overcome the current cycles of cross-border violence. , writes Sajjad Ashraf.
eastasiaforum.org
December 3, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Afghanistan and Pakistan must pursue credible security cooperation to overcome the current cycles of cross-border violence. , writes Sajjad Ashraf.
With the end of LDP hegemony, Japan is entering a new era of dynamic multiparty competition, writes Yasuo Takao.
The end of LDP hegemony in Japan
With the end of LDP hegemony, Japan is entering a new era of dynamic multiparty competition, writes Yasuo Takao.
eastasiaforum.org
December 2, 2025 at 11:45 PM
With the end of LDP hegemony, Japan is entering a new era of dynamic multiparty competition, writes Yasuo Takao.
Successful industrial policy must seek to balance state support, market competition and long-term resilience, writes Chiara Criscuolo.
Rethinking industrial policy for resilience, sustainability and growth
Successful industrial policy must seek to balance state support, market competition and long-term resilience, writes Chiara Criscuolo.
eastasiaforum.org
December 2, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Successful industrial policy must seek to balance state support, market competition and long-term resilience, writes Chiara Criscuolo.
Corruption in public infrastructure projects has exposed deep weaknesses in Philippine accountability institutions, writes Cleo Anne Calimbahin.
Accountability washed away in Philippine flood control corruption
Corruption in public infrastructure projects has exposed deep weaknesses in Philippine accountability institutions, writes Cleo Anne Calimbahin.
eastasiaforum.org
December 1, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Corruption in public infrastructure projects has exposed deep weaknesses in Philippine accountability institutions, writes Cleo Anne Calimbahin.
While Washington wavers, Asian firms are moving on and moving up, writes Jayant Menon.
Asian firms steer off the Trump trail
While Washington wavers, Asian firms are moving on and moving up, writes Jayant Menon.
eastasiaforum.org
December 1, 2025 at 11:37 AM
While Washington wavers, Asian firms are moving on and moving up, writes Jayant Menon.
Without coordination and management, the return to industrial policy could be disastrous for Asian economies with low fiscal capacity but significant political incentives to participate, writes our editorial board.
Why Asia must steer the industrial policy debate
Without coordination and management, the return to industrial policy could be disastrous for Asian economies with low fiscal capacity but significant political incentives to participate, writes our editorial board.
eastasiaforum.org
November 30, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Without coordination and management, the return to industrial policy could be disastrous for Asian economies with low fiscal capacity but significant political incentives to participate, writes our editorial board.
Cooperation and transparency in the Asia Pacific can turn rivalry over industrial subsidies into regional trust and stability, writes Robert Koopman.
Asian cooperation on industrial subsidies could defuse global rivalry and build trust
Cooperation and transparency in the Asia Pacific can turn rivalry over industrial subsidies into regional trust and stability, writes Robert Koopman.
eastasiaforum.org
November 30, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Cooperation and transparency in the Asia Pacific can turn rivalry over industrial subsidies into regional trust and stability, writes Robert Koopman.
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan are putting pressure on Beijing’s efforts to advance its regional influence in South Asia, writes Shaheli Das.
Pakistan–Afghanistan conflict tests China’s regional influence
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan are putting pressure on Beijing’s efforts to advance its regional influence in South Asia, writes Shaheli Das.
eastasiaforum.org
November 29, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan are putting pressure on Beijing’s efforts to advance its regional influence in South Asia, writes Shaheli Das.
Alleged money-laundering networks of the Cambodia-based Prince Group highlight the threat of high-tech transnational organised crime and the regulatory gaps across Asian financial hubs, writes Leo SF Lin.
Unravelling Prince Group’s criminal networks
Alleged money-laundering networks of the Cambodia-based Prince Group highlight the threat of high-tech transnational organised crime and the regulatory gaps across Asian financial hubs, writes Leo SF Lin.
eastasiaforum.org
November 28, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Alleged money-laundering networks of the Cambodia-based Prince Group highlight the threat of high-tech transnational organised crime and the regulatory gaps across Asian financial hubs, writes Leo SF Lin.
The promise of modernised civil society regulation in the Mekong Region has transformed into a tool of bureaucratic control, revealing how authoritarian regimes instrumentalise legal reforms to manage dissent, writes Andrea Haefner.
Regulation tightens around civil society in the Mekong Region
The promise of modernised civil society regulation in the Mekong Region has transformed into a tool of bureaucratic control, revealing how authoritarian regimes instrumentalise legal reforms to manage dissent, writes Andrea Haefner.
eastasiaforum.org
November 28, 2025 at 11:24 AM
The promise of modernised civil society regulation in the Mekong Region has transformed into a tool of bureaucratic control, revealing how authoritarian regimes instrumentalise legal reforms to manage dissent, writes Andrea Haefner.
Cambodia is counting quantity over quality in their quest for improved foreign direct investment, writes Mom Mit.
Cambodia’s rising FDI numbers don’t add up to quality growth
Cambodia is counting quantity over quality in their quest for improved foreign direct investment, writes Mom Mit.
eastasiaforum.org
November 27, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Cambodia is counting quantity over quality in their quest for improved foreign direct investment, writes Mom Mit.
Hyundai’s lack of options after ICE raids at its facility in Georgia, United States, highlight the risks of overly concentrated investments among multinational corporations, writes Jean-Marc F Blanchard.
Unravelling Prince Group’s criminal networks
Hyundai’s lack of options after ICE raids at its facility in Georgia, United States, highlight the risks of overly concentrated investments among multinational corporations, writes Jean-Marc F Blanchard.
eastasiaforum.org
November 27, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Hyundai’s lack of options after ICE raids at its facility in Georgia, United States, highlight the risks of overly concentrated investments among multinational corporations, writes Jean-Marc F Blanchard.
Takaichi’s minority government must rely on constant bargaining and coalition-building to survive in a divided Diet, write Charles Crabtree and Sona N Golder.
Takaichi’s Japan enters an era of fragile coalitions
Takaichi’s minority government must rely on constant bargaining and coalition-building to survive in a divided Diet, write Charles Crabtree and Sona N Golder.
eastasiaforum.org
November 26, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Takaichi’s minority government must rely on constant bargaining and coalition-building to survive in a divided Diet, write Charles Crabtree and Sona N Golder.