COUNTERPOINT

Commentary | COUNTERPOINT Aug 26, 2017

Koike tests possibilities and perils of populism in Japan

by Jeff Kingston

Abe occupies Koike's ideological comfort zone, so she needs to cannibalize his base to get any traction. It is thus imperative that she presents an alternative policy agenda to highlight their differences and tap into simmering dissatisfaction with the status quo.

Commentary | COUNTERPOINT Aug 19, 2017

Abe tries to ride out storm in bid to restore trust deficit

by Jeff Kingston

A shoo-in a few months ago, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's plunge in popularity imperils his re-election to a third term as LDP president in September 2018, fueling speculation about when he will go and who will replace him. That said, it's still too soon ...