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fumio kishida

Nine candidates for the Japan Liberal Democratic Party presidential election attend a speech meeting in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, Japan, on September 20, 2024.
What We're Watching

Japan’s heavy hitters slug it out in leadership election

Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party will elect a new president to replace Fumio Kishida on Friday, as the unpopular prime minister prepares to bow out and give his successor a fresh slate ahead of a looming general election.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attends a press conference to announce that he will not run for the Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election in September at the Prime Minister's office in Tokyo on August 14, 2024. As a result, PM Kishida will retire from Prime Minister after a new LDP president is elected in next month.
What We're Watching

Japanese PM Kishida steps aside

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced early Wednesday that he will not stand for another term as leader of the Liberal Democratic Party in September, which will clear the way for a new PM.

FILE PHOTO: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (2nd L) and his former Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe (L) bow to national flags as they review an honor guard before their meeting at Abe's official residence in Tokyo, Japan November 11, 2016.
What We're Watching

India’s rise makes Japan anxious

India is set to surpass Japan as the world's fourth-largest economy by 2025, earlier than previous forecasts. This marks Japan’s second year of decline in global GDP rankings, after falling from third to fourth place behind Germany in 2023.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (R) takes part in a class on generative artificial intelligence at the University of Tokyo in Japan's capital on Aug. 14, 2023.
GZERO AI

Japan confronts the “dark side” of AI

Japan detailed a global framework for international cooperation on artificial intelligence on May 1, building off the Hiroshima Process announced at last year’s G7 summit.

​FILE PHOTO: Japanese Yen and U.S. dollar banknotes are seen in this illustration taken March 10, 2023.
What We're Watching

How long can Japan prop up the yen?

Japan’s currency slipped to 160 yen to the dollar on Monday, its lowest rate since 1990, triggering a government intervention and threatening Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s position.

Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida poses with U.S President Joe Biden as they are on the way to state dinner in Washington DC, U.S, on April 10, 2024.
What We're Watching

Biden and Kishida bromance is meant to make Xi sweat

The White House showered Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida with gifts and honors during his state visit starting Wednesday, but the friendly display is aimed just as much at Beijing as it is Tokyo.

Thick plates of steel for use in construction and ship building are hot-rolled by machinery at the Nippon Steel Corp. Kimitsu steel mill in Kimitsu, Japan near Tokyo February 6, 2008.
What We're Watching

Biden slams Nippon Steel deal — but Tokyo plays it cool

US President Joe Biden on Thursday came out against Japan’s largest steel producer acquiring Pittsburgh-based US Steel, saying America must “maintain strong American steel companies powered by American steelworkers.”

​North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a factory in Songchon County, North Korea, February 28, 2024.
What We're Watching

IAEA chief backs Japan-North Korea talks

International Atomic Energy Agency head Rafael Grossi said Tuesday that the UN body supports Japan’s efforts to hold a summit with North Korea to boost engagement, even if nuclear weapons aren’t on the agenda.

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks to media at the Prime Minister's office in Tokyo on Dec. 11, 2023
What We're Watching

Kishida’s rough road

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida faces several serious challenges.

The Camp David summit
Quick Take

The Camp David summit

Ian Bremmer's Quick Take: The Camp David Principles, the historic meeting taking place in Camp David today between President Biden, the Japanese Prime Minister Kishida and South Korean President Yoon, is the most significant successful piece of diplomacy of the Biden administration to date. It's important because it stabilized a region that matters to the United States.