Policy Brief No.250: Prospects for Japan’s US and China Diplomacy in the Post-Ishiba Era

Image: Vitaly Sosnovsky / shutterstock.com

This policy brief aims to assess the likely diplomatic trajectories of Japan in the post-Ishiba era. The outcome of the 4 October LDP leadership election will not only mark a turning point in domestic politics but also significantly impact Japan’s core diplomatic relations with the United States and China. The brief evaluates how the choice of centrist vs. hardline conservative orientations will affect Japan’s relations with China, the United States, and the broader region.