Dan Sneider
@dcsneider.bsky.social
Lecturer, East Asian Studies and International Policy, Stanford University
Former foreign correspondent, The Christian Science Monitor
Former editor and syndicated columnist, The San Jose Mercury News
Former foreign correspondent, The Christian Science Monitor
Former editor and syndicated columnist, The San Jose Mercury News
Who called first? US media says Xi called Trump but Chinese say it was Trump who came calling. Japanese say Trump called Takaichi. What is going on really?
asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...
asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...
Trump and Takaichi speak by phone amid Japan-China spat
Tokyo and Washington reaffirm close cooperation, Japanese prime minister says
asia.nikkei.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Who called first? US media says Xi called Trump but Chinese say it was Trump who came calling. Japanese say Trump called Takaichi. What is going on really?
asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...
asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...
A useful report from the Times, which has been notably behind on this story. Reporters should however question the narrative that this is just about Taiwan comments of Takaichi. Tensions were evident at the Xi-Takaichi meeting in Korea, before those comments.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/w...
China and Japan Are in a Showdown, With Trump in the Middle
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:51 PM
A useful report from the Times, which has been notably behind on this story. Reporters should however question the narrative that this is just about Taiwan comments of Takaichi. Tensions were evident at the Xi-Takaichi meeting in Korea, before those comments.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/w...
Reposted by Dan Sneider
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...
Foreigner fatigue in Japan -- a useful review of this turn in Japanese public policy and views in TokyoReview.
www.tokyoreview.net/2025/11/fore...
www.tokyoreview.net/2025/11/fore...
Foreigner fatigue and Japan’s new populism
Japan’s new government under Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), and its partnership with the populist Japan Innovation Party (Nippon Ishin no Kai), raises significant...
www.tokyoreview.net
November 24, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Foreigner fatigue in Japan -- a useful review of this turn in Japanese public policy and views in TokyoReview.
www.tokyoreview.net/2025/11/fore...
www.tokyoreview.net/2025/11/fore...
It is intriguing that Xi and Trump talked in the midst of the rising tensions with Japan, supposedly the U.S. ally, with Taiwan as a subject of their talk. If I am Takaichi, I am worried.
asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...
asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...
China's Xi tells Trump Taiwan's 'return' key to postwar order: Xinhua
Two leaders discuss bilateral relations, war in Ukraine in phone call
asia.nikkei.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:12 PM
It is intriguing that Xi and Trump talked in the midst of the rising tensions with Japan, supposedly the U.S. ally, with Taiwan as a subject of their talk. If I am Takaichi, I am worried.
asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...
asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...
thoughtful, if depressing, comment on the Japan-China confrontation from the liberal Korean daily Hankyoreh.
english.hani.co.kr/arti/english...
english.hani.co.kr/arti/english...
[Column] There’s no solving the feud between Japan and China
US, which ought to be the mediator here, is nowhere to be seen
english.hani.co.kr
November 24, 2025 at 4:39 PM
thoughtful, if depressing, comment on the Japan-China confrontation from the liberal Korean daily Hankyoreh.
english.hani.co.kr/arti/english...
english.hani.co.kr/arti/english...
the view in Japan of China from the right -- editorial in Sankei Shimbun calls for expelling Osaka Consul and resisting China.
japan-forward.com/chinese-gove...
japan-forward.com/chinese-gove...
Chinese Government's Tyrannical Nature on Full Display as It Tries to Pressure Japan | JAPAN Forward
If Japan lets itself be swayed by Chinese coercion, relations with China would not be easier, and the risk of a Taiwan emergency would also increase.
japan-forward.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:34 PM
the view in Japan of China from the right -- editorial in Sankei Shimbun calls for expelling Osaka Consul and resisting China.
japan-forward.com/chinese-gove...
japan-forward.com/chinese-gove...
Clearly the Japanese government is trying to edge back from Takaichi's Taiwan comments and do damage control with the Chinese. Not clear however if the Chinese are ready, or even interested, in that.
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
Kihara urges caution on 'misleading' Taiwan remarks | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
Japan’s top government spokesman warned that future remarks on Taiwan must be made with
www.asahi.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Clearly the Japanese government is trying to edge back from Takaichi's Taiwan comments and do damage control with the Chinese. Not clear however if the Chinese are ready, or even interested, in that.
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
Asahi report on moves to revise Japan's national security documents from 2022.
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
LDP begins talks on revising nation's security documents | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party started discussions to revise Japan's national defense policy on Nov. 20 with a focus on increasing defense spending.
www.asahi.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Asahi report on moves to revise Japan's national security documents from 2022.
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
Reposted by Dan Sneider
Not all Koreans are happy w/ this framing. Below, the Hankyoreh newspaper warns against seeing S. Korea as "a military stronghold within a striking distance of China."
"For Brunson, such musings may read like an original 'strategic suggestion.' But for Koreans, they are a matter of life and death."
"For Brunson, such musings may read like an original 'strategic suggestion.' But for Koreans, they are a matter of life and death."
Perhaps the US views the Korean Peninsula as a military stronghold within striking distance of China. But Americans would do well to remember that the peninsula is also the cherished home of more than 50 million allied citizens.
english.hani.co.kr/arti/english...
english.hani.co.kr/arti/english...
[Editorial] South Korea is not a US outpost
The USFK commander overstepped his purview as a soldier in arguing for turning the Korean Peninsula into a launchpad for the US
english.hani.co.kr
November 19, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Not all Koreans are happy w/ this framing. Below, the Hankyoreh newspaper warns against seeing S. Korea as "a military stronghold within a striking distance of China."
"For Brunson, such musings may read like an original 'strategic suggestion.' But for Koreans, they are a matter of life and death."
"For Brunson, such musings may read like an original 'strategic suggestion.' But for Koreans, they are a matter of life and death."
Reposted by Dan Sneider
Leadership in an Age of Uncertainty: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi
www.globalasia.org
November 19, 2025 at 4:26 AM
Clearly the Chinese leadership has decided to escalate tensions with Japan, not just because of what Takaichi said but for its own internal reasons. Playing the patriotic card is not new but dangerous.
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
Xi leadership ramps up attacks on Takaichi for Taiwan comment | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
BEIJING—Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi continued to be buffeted by verbal attacks by the administration of Chinese President Xi Jinping a week after suggesting that Japan would provide support for Taiw...
www.asahi.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Clearly the Chinese leadership has decided to escalate tensions with Japan, not just because of what Takaichi said but for its own internal reasons. Playing the patriotic card is not new but dangerous.
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
Belatedly, the Times catches up to this story (thanks to the great Andy Higgins). They missed the very tense meeting between Xi and Takaichi in Korea which really set the stage for all this.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/w...
China’s ‘Wolf Warrior’ Diplomacy Returns With Threat Against Japan’s Leader
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Belatedly, the Times catches up to this story (thanks to the great Andy Higgins). They missed the very tense meeting between Xi and Takaichi in Korea which really set the stage for all this.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/w...
Reposted by Dan Sneider
In her 2024 book “Kokuryoku Kenkyū” (National Strength Research), Takaichi wrote that Japan must be more flexible amid the shifting security environment, saying that at least one of the principles could become an “obstacle” in the event of a crisis.
www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/11...
www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/11...
Takaichi sidesteps commitment to decades-old nonnuclear principles
The prime minister refrained from saying her government would maintain Japan’s Three Non-Nuclear Principles, leaving the door open for a revision.
www.japantimes.co.jp
November 13, 2025 at 7:43 AM
In her 2024 book “Kokuryoku Kenkyū” (National Strength Research), Takaichi wrote that Japan must be more flexible amid the shifting security environment, saying that at least one of the principles could become an “obstacle” in the event of a crisis.
www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/11...
www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/11...
A less enthusiastic response from progressives in South Korea to Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan and on Dokdo.
www.khan.co.kr/article/2025...
www.khan.co.kr/article/2025...
[사설] 주변국 자극하는 다카이치 ‘대만·독도 발언’ 우려한다
다카이치 사나에 일본 총리의 거친 언행이 이웃국가들을 자극하고 있다. 다카이치 총리는 지난 7일 국회에서 중국의 대만 해상 봉쇄 가능성에 대한 질문에 “전함을 사용해 무력행사를 수반한다면 ‘존립위기 사태’가 될 수” 있다고 했다. ‘존립위기 사태’는 ‘일본의 동맹국 등에 대한 무력 공격이 발생해 일본의 존립이 위협당하는 상황’을 가리킨다. 2015년 ...
www.khan.co.kr
November 12, 2025 at 6:20 PM
A less enthusiastic response from progressives in South Korea to Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan and on Dokdo.
www.khan.co.kr/article/2025...
www.khan.co.kr/article/2025...
Reposted by Dan Sneider
Following President Trump's visit to Asia, @dcsneider.bsky.social examines how countries like South Korea and Japan are simultaneously working to deepen their defense ties with the United States while also increasing their autonomy and national preparedness. ow.ly/PTgV50XqfHT
South Korea Redefines Alliance Burden Sharing After Trump’s Asia Visit - Korea Economic Institute of America
The U.S. push for allies to shoulder greater security burdens converges with South Korean efforts to deepen autonomy.
ow.ly
November 12, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Following President Trump's visit to Asia, @dcsneider.bsky.social examines how countries like South Korea and Japan are simultaneously working to deepen their defense ties with the United States while also increasing their autonomy and national preparedness. ow.ly/PTgV50XqfHT
Taiwan tensions between Japan and China rising. The wolf warrior approach clearly doesn't work well.
www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/11...
www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/11...
Japan lawmakers eye firm response to Chinese envoy's threat to behead PM
The LDP adopted a resolution calling for a decisive response to Xue Jian's post on X, including the possibility of expelling the diplomat from Japan.
www.japantimes.co.jp
November 12, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Taiwan tensions between Japan and China rising. The wolf warrior approach clearly doesn't work well.
www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/11...
www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/11...
Takaichi keeps pushing the envelope on security issues - how far can or will she go?
www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/11...
www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/11...
Takaichi sidesteps commitment to decades-old nonnuclear principles
The prime minister refrained from saying her government would maintain Japan’s Three Non-Nuclear Principles, leaving the door open for a potential revision.
www.japantimes.co.jp
November 12, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Takaichi keeps pushing the envelope on security issues - how far can or will she go?
www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/11...
www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/11...
My latest for KEI, on US-Korea security ties after APEC, republished in the Asia Times.
asiatimes.com/2025/11/sout...
asiatimes.com/2025/11/sout...
South Korea resets alliance burden sharing after Trump Asia Visit - Asia Times
South Korea’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit showcased a tightening defense partnership with the United States. The US push for allies to
asiatimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:02 AM
My latest for KEI, on US-Korea security ties after APEC, republished in the Asia Times.
asiatimes.com/2025/11/sout...
asiatimes.com/2025/11/sout...