Hashimoto Kenji, Professor, Faculty of Human Sciences, Waseda University “This book seems to have predicted the results of the Upper House election and the subsequent political situation.” In his highly acclaimed new book, Atarashii Kaikyu Shakai (A new class society), which has garnered much attention, Hashimoto Kenji examines the expanding “underclass” and the transformation of the Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) core support base. He also proposes the path the LDP should take. The shock of the Upper House election results and “A New Class Society” Nearly a month before the Upper House election on July 20, 2025, I published a book titled “A New Class Society: The End of Widening Inequality Revealed by the Latest Data.” I finished writing the manuscript in February of that year, so the book does not mention the election. Immediately after the election, however, I received inquiries and interview ... ... [Read more]

War has thrown the international order into flux. The search for a multipolar order centered on various “Souths” has begun. Key Points: The presence of emerging powers, which sometimes surpass developed nations, is growing. New, regionally driven frameworks for conflict management are emerging and warrant closer scrutiny. Japan should consider shifting away from “American dominance” and toward “diversification.” Kawashima Shin, Professor, University of Tokyo Wars and hostilities frequently erupt across Eurasia, from Ukraine to the Middle East, India and Pakistan, Thailand and Cambodia. After occupying and annexing the Crimean Peninsula in 2014, Russia’s fighting in eastern Ukraine escalated into a full-scale invasion in 2022. This aggression continues to this day. On October 7, 2023, Hamas attacked Israel. Israel subsequently retaliated by extending its attacks beyond Gaza to include pro-Iranian forces, such as Hezbollah. Israel also launched military strikes on Iran, targeting its nuclear program. ... ... [Read more]

In an era when free trade is under threat, how can we uphold the principles of free trade and ensure economic security? Suzuki Kazuto unravels the dilemma between the two. Suzuki Kazuto, Professor, Tokyo University Graduate School of Public Policy, Director, the Institute of Geoeconomics, the International House of Japan The “weaponization” of the economy and the rise of economic security Free trade is in crisis. The Trump administration’s tariff policy aims to rebuild trade by placing “fairness and balance” above economic efficiency. For the United States, this means that a growing trade deficit through free trade is “unfair,” and rebalancing is important. Therefore, the US uses tariffs to reduce imports from other countries. If imports are required, the revenue generated from tariffs can be used to recover lost wealth. Whether this policy will produce the results President Trump claims and what impact it ... ... [Read more]