Tobias Harris
@tobiasharris.bsky.social
Japanese politics analyst; author of The Iconoclast: Shinzō Abe and the New Japan; Chicago-born Cubs fan now living in DC; marathoner; RHP + IF ⚾
Substack: Observingjapan.substack.com.
Business: www.japanforesight.com
Substack: Observingjapan.substack.com.
Business: www.japanforesight.com
Pinned
Tobias Harris
@tobiasharris.bsky.social
· Oct 10
Kōmeitō quits the coalition
A guide for the perplexed
open.substack.com
Japanese politics was rocked on Friday as the Kōmeitō announced it would leave its coalition with the LDP after twenty-six years. To understand why this happened and what it means, I wrote a guide for the perplexed.
open.substack.com/pub/observin...
open.substack.com/pub/observin...
Guess who's gotten a taste for turkey
November 27, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Guess who's gotten a taste for turkey
Really shaping up to be THAAD-plus kind of bilateral crisis.
#Japan will have to pay a “painful price” if it steps out of line over the #Taiwan question, China’s Defense Ministry said on Thursday, responding to Japanese plans to deploy #missiles about 100 km from the island. The remarks come amid Japan’s worst diplomatic crisis in years,
November 27, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Really shaping up to be THAAD-plus kind of bilateral crisis.
Asahi has picked up the WSJ scoop: www.asahi.com/articles/AST...
November 27, 2025 at 4:06 AM
Asahi has picked up the WSJ scoop: www.asahi.com/articles/AST...
This is very different from how it has been reported in the Japanese press, but this is *exactly* what they've been worried about in Tokyo.
November 27, 2025 at 12:47 AM
This is very different from how it has been reported in the Japanese press, but this is *exactly* what they've been worried about in Tokyo.
Reposted by Tobias Harris
“.. Japanese officials said the message was worrying: the president didn’t want friction over Taiwan to endanger a detente reached last month with Xi, which includes a promise to buy more agricultural products from American farmers ..”
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/world/china/...
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/world/china/...
November 26, 2025 at 11:42 PM
“.. Japanese officials said the message was worrying: the president didn’t want friction over Taiwan to endanger a detente reached last month with Xi, which includes a promise to buy more agricultural products from American farmers ..”
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/world/china/...
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/world/china/...
Reposted by Tobias Harris
In today’s Japan Daily Briefing, opposition leaders questioned Takaichi Sanae in a leaders’ debate, questions are swirling about the significance of Takaichi’s call with Trump, the government, and Ishin no Kai wants to bind other parties to a seat reduction plan.
open.substack.com/pub/observin...
open.substack.com/pub/observin...
Takaichi faces off against opposition leaders | Japan Daily Briefing
Prime minister yields little in Diet debate
open.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:22 PM
In today’s Japan Daily Briefing, opposition leaders questioned Takaichi Sanae in a leaders’ debate, questions are swirling about the significance of Takaichi’s call with Trump, the government, and Ishin no Kai wants to bind other parties to a seat reduction plan.
open.substack.com/pub/observin...
open.substack.com/pub/observin...
In today’s Japan Daily Briefing, opposition leaders questioned Takaichi Sanae in a leaders’ debate, questions are swirling about the significance of Takaichi’s call with Trump, the government, and Ishin no Kai wants to bind other parties to a seat reduction plan.
open.substack.com/pub/observin...
open.substack.com/pub/observin...
Takaichi faces off against opposition leaders | Japan Daily Briefing
Prime minister yields little in Diet debate
open.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:22 PM
In today’s Japan Daily Briefing, opposition leaders questioned Takaichi Sanae in a leaders’ debate, questions are swirling about the significance of Takaichi’s call with Trump, the government, and Ishin no Kai wants to bind other parties to a seat reduction plan.
open.substack.com/pub/observin...
open.substack.com/pub/observin...
Reposted by Tobias Harris
The leaks from Tokyo begin -- Trump, contrary to reports, was not 'mediating' between China and Japan. He said nothing about Taiwan to Takaichi other than briefing her on what Xi told him. Nervousness in Tokyo rising.
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
Amid fight with China, Japan wary of where Trump stands | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
U.S. President Donald Trump did not convey any concerns about the current Japan-China feud in a telephone call with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Nov. 25, sources said.
www.asahi.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:40 PM
The leaks from Tokyo begin -- Trump, contrary to reports, was not 'mediating' between China and Japan. He said nothing about Taiwan to Takaichi other than briefing her on what Xi told him. Nervousness in Tokyo rising.
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
Why have an aspirational Steam library when you can have an aspirational GMT P500 library?
November 26, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Why have an aspirational Steam library when you can have an aspirational GMT P500 library?
Reposted by Tobias Harris
In today’s Japan Daily Briefing, LDP-Ishin talks on political reform continue, Takaichi spoke with Trump following the latter’s call with Xi, Takaichi met with business and labor leaders, and the Takaichi government looks to expand trade links.
open.substack.com/pub/observin...
open.substack.com/pub/observin...
The LDP and Ishin look for a way forward on seat cuts | Japan Daily Briefing
The two partners are still seeking a blueprint for "non-negotiable" reform
open.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:35 PM
In today’s Japan Daily Briefing, LDP-Ishin talks on political reform continue, Takaichi spoke with Trump following the latter’s call with Xi, Takaichi met with business and labor leaders, and the Takaichi government looks to expand trade links.
open.substack.com/pub/observin...
open.substack.com/pub/observin...
In today’s Japan Daily Briefing, LDP-Ishin talks on political reform continue, Takaichi spoke with Trump following the latter’s call with Xi, Takaichi met with business and labor leaders, and the Takaichi government looks to expand trade links.
open.substack.com/pub/observin...
open.substack.com/pub/observin...
The LDP and Ishin look for a way forward on seat cuts | Japan Daily Briefing
The two partners are still seeking a blueprint for "non-negotiable" reform
open.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:35 PM
In today’s Japan Daily Briefing, LDP-Ishin talks on political reform continue, Takaichi spoke with Trump following the latter’s call with Xi, Takaichi met with business and labor leaders, and the Takaichi government looks to expand trade links.
open.substack.com/pub/observin...
open.substack.com/pub/observin...
Reposted by Tobias Harris
Takaichi expected to hold phone call with Trump today, with Taiwan being big focus, report says www.fnn.jp/articles/-/9...
【独自】きょう日米電話首脳会談で調整…トランプ大統領が中国・習主席との電話会談受け高市首相に説明か 台湾問題の認識は…｜FNNプライムオンライン
中国が高市首相の「台湾有事」をめぐる国会答弁に反発を続ける中、高市首相は、25日午前にアメリカのトランプ大統領と電話会談する方向で最終調整している。トランプ大統領側から呼びかけがあったという。複数の政府関係者が明らかにした。これに先立ちトランプ大統領は24日、中国の習近平国家主席と電話で会談しており、高市首相に対し、習主席との会談について説明するものと見られる。中国国営の新華社通信は、米中電話会談...
www.fnn.jp
November 25, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Takaichi expected to hold phone call with Trump today, with Taiwan being big focus, report says www.fnn.jp/articles/-/9...
Thinking of becoming a Montgomery County revanchist, as a bit.
November 25, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Thinking of becoming a Montgomery County revanchist, as a bit.
The 1619 project so powerful it projected back in time to convert nineteenth-century Americans to Woke
November 25, 2025 at 12:39 AM
The 1619 project so powerful it projected back in time to convert nineteenth-century Americans to Woke
Reposted by Tobias Harris
In today's Japan Daily Briefing, Tokyo is watching after Xi raised the question of Taiwan in a call with Trump, scrutiny of Hayashi Yoshimasa’s campaign finance records is growing, and the Takaichi government identifies priority sectors for industrial policy. open.substack.com/pub/observin...
Tokyo warily watches Trump-Xi call
Call plays on fears of grand bargain that isolates Japan
open.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:24 PM
In today's Japan Daily Briefing, Tokyo is watching after Xi raised the question of Taiwan in a call with Trump, scrutiny of Hayashi Yoshimasa’s campaign finance records is growing, and the Takaichi government identifies priority sectors for industrial policy. open.substack.com/pub/observin...
In today's Japan Daily Briefing, Tokyo is watching after Xi raised the question of Taiwan in a call with Trump, scrutiny of Hayashi Yoshimasa’s campaign finance records is growing, and the Takaichi government identifies priority sectors for industrial policy. open.substack.com/pub/observin...
Tokyo warily watches Trump-Xi call
Call plays on fears of grand bargain that isolates Japan
open.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:24 PM
In today's Japan Daily Briefing, Tokyo is watching after Xi raised the question of Taiwan in a call with Trump, scrutiny of Hayashi Yoshimasa’s campaign finance records is growing, and the Takaichi government identifies priority sectors for industrial policy. open.substack.com/pub/observin...
Xi and Baby Trump Dig Potatoes! 🥔😂🍟
YouTube video by Beast of the Gods
youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:50 PM
I've spent the morning with T20 Asia Cup cricket matches on while I work and...I think I finally understand cricket and might become a cricket sicko?
November 24, 2025 at 6:42 PM
I've spent the morning with T20 Asia Cup cricket matches on while I work and...I think I finally understand cricket and might become a cricket sicko?
Not for nothing, Taiwan being on the agenda of the Trump-Xi call today has, uh, caught Tokyo's attention.
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Trump, Xi spoke by phone Monday
The emerging talks come amid mounting tensions between China and Japan over the future of self-governed Taiwan, a former Japanese territory that China sees as its own.
www.politico.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Not for nothing, Taiwan being on the agenda of the Trump-Xi call today has, uh, caught Tokyo's attention.
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
In today's Japan Daily Briefing, some events to watch this week; Takaichi’s trip to the G20 summit, where she had her first meetings with an array of leaders but not with China’s prime minister; and the Takaichi government prepares to launch its answer to DOGE.
open.substack.com/pub/observin...
open.substack.com/pub/observin...
Takaichi's weekend in Johannesburg | Japan Daily Briefing
No breakthrough with China on the sidelines of the G20 but plenty of introductory meetings for the prime minister
open.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:18 AM
In today's Japan Daily Briefing, some events to watch this week; Takaichi’s trip to the G20 summit, where she had her first meetings with an array of leaders but not with China’s prime minister; and the Takaichi government prepares to launch its answer to DOGE.
open.substack.com/pub/observin...
open.substack.com/pub/observin...
Reposted by Tobias Harris
I know the "Bombs but with LGBTQI flags on them" meme and how everyone is the same, but there really is a practical, kinetic difference between leaders trying and failing (sometimes in horrific, bloody ways) to live up to their ideals and those for whom the horror and blood are the point.
November 23, 2025 at 1:35 PM
I know the "Bombs but with LGBTQI flags on them" meme and how everyone is the same, but there really is a practical, kinetic difference between leaders trying and failing (sometimes in horrific, bloody ways) to live up to their ideals and those for whom the horror and blood are the point.
Me the instant it happened:
November 23, 2025 at 3:20 AM
Me the instant it happened:
Very excited for these too.
I’ve wanted to read these for many years. Coming next month from University of Chicago press.
November 23, 2025 at 2:14 AM
Very excited for these too.
There's only one song he's doing at papal karaoke:
Strangers waitin'
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searchin' in the night
Streetlights, people
Livin' just to find emotion
Hidin', somewhere in the night
Don't stop believin'
Hold on to that feelin'
Streetlights, people
Strangers waitin'
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searchin' in the night
Streetlights, people
Livin' just to find emotion
Hidin', somewhere in the night
Don't stop believin'
Hold on to that feelin'
Streetlights, people
There is no pain
You are receding
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying
You are receding
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying
November 23, 2025 at 2:10 AM
There's only one song he's doing at papal karaoke:
Strangers waitin'
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searchin' in the night
Streetlights, people
Livin' just to find emotion
Hidin', somewhere in the night
Don't stop believin'
Hold on to that feelin'
Streetlights, people
Strangers waitin'
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searchin' in the night
Streetlights, people
Livin' just to find emotion
Hidin', somewhere in the night
Don't stop believin'
Hold on to that feelin'
Streetlights, people