Tobias Harris
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tobiasharris.bsky.social
Tobias Harris
@tobiasharris.bsky.social
Japanese politics analyst; author of The Iconoclast: Shinzō Abe and the New Japan; Chicago-born Cubs fan now living in DC; marathoner; RHP + IF ⚾

Substack: Observingjapan.substack.com.
Business: www.japanforesight.com
Pinned
Japanese politics was rocked on Friday as the Kōmeitō announced it would leave its coalition with the LDP after twenty-six years. To understand why this happened and what it means, I wrote a guide for the perplexed.

open.substack.com/pub/observin...
Kōmeitō quits the coalition
A guide for the perplexed
open.substack.com
Reposted by Tobias Harris
In today’s Japan Daily Briefing, LDP-Ishin talks on political reform continue, Takaichi spoke with Trump following the latter’s call with Xi, Takaichi met with business and labor leaders, and the Takaichi government looks to expand trade links.

open.substack.com/pub/observin...
The LDP and Ishin look for a way forward on seat cuts | Japan Daily Briefing
The two partners are still seeking a blueprint for "non-negotiable" reform
open.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:35 PM
In today’s Japan Daily Briefing, LDP-Ishin talks on political reform continue, Takaichi spoke with Trump following the latter’s call with Xi, Takaichi met with business and labor leaders, and the Takaichi government looks to expand trade links.

open.substack.com/pub/observin...
The LDP and Ishin look for a way forward on seat cuts | Japan Daily Briefing
The two partners are still seeking a blueprint for "non-negotiable" reform
open.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Thinking of becoming a Montgomery County revanchist, as a bit.
November 25, 2025 at 12:51 AM
The 1619 project so powerful it projected back in time to convert nineteenth-century Americans to Woke
November 25, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Reposted by Tobias Harris
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...
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
This is what I saw on the front page of Youtube.

youtube.com/shorts/WJjgD...
Xi and Baby Trump Dig Potatoes! 🥔😂🍟
YouTube video by Beast of the Gods
youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:50 PM
I've spent the morning with T20 Asia Cup cricket matches on while I work and...I think I finally understand cricket and might become a cricket sicko?
November 24, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Not for nothing, Taiwan being on the agenda of the Trump-Xi call today has, uh, caught Tokyo's attention.

www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Trump, Xi spoke by phone Monday
The emerging talks come amid mounting tensions between China and Japan over the future of self-governed Taiwan, a former Japanese territory that China sees as its own.
www.politico.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:35 PM
In today's Japan Daily Briefing, some events to watch this week; Takaichi’s trip to the G20 summit, where she had her first meetings with an array of leaders but not with China’s prime minister; and the Takaichi government prepares to launch its answer to DOGE.

open.substack.com/pub/observin...
Takaichi's weekend in Johannesburg | Japan Daily Briefing
No breakthrough with China on the sidelines of the G20 but plenty of introductory meetings for the prime minister
open.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:18 AM
November 23, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Reposted by Tobias Harris
I know the "Bombs but with LGBTQI flags on them" meme and how everyone is the same, but there really is a practical, kinetic difference between leaders trying and failing (sometimes in horrific, bloody ways) to live up to their ideals and those for whom the horror and blood are the point.
November 23, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Me the instant it happened:
November 23, 2025 at 3:20 AM
Very excited for these too.
I’ve wanted to read these for many years. Coming next month from University of Chicago press.
November 23, 2025 at 2:14 AM
There's only one song he's doing at papal karaoke:

Strangers waitin'
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searchin' in the night
Streetlights, people
Livin' just to find emotion
Hidin', somewhere in the night
Don't stop believin'
Hold on to that feelin'
Streetlights, people
There is no pain
You are receding
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying
November 23, 2025 at 2:10 AM
This Yglesias quote is so bafflingly wrong that it's hard to believe people voluntarily pay for his thoughts on American politics.
I don't think this is a correct description of America's party system.
November 22, 2025 at 9:10 PM
From Viktor Klemperer's diary on this date in 1933:
11.22.33: A certain depression and resignation everywhere. The government appears to be stabilized, the other countries are getting accustomed to it, allow themselves to be impressed, give way...
November 22, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Reposted by Tobias Harris
Reposted by Tobias Harris
FREE FRIDAY: Takaichi seeks to reassure markets as she unveils a large stimulus package, while the LDP and Ishin are working through differences on reducing the number of Diet seats.

open.substack.com/pub/observin...
Pump priming | Japan Daily Briefing
Takaichi seeks to reassure markets as government unveils large stimulus package
open.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Trump gushing over Mamdani maybe isn't surprising after watching him gush over Takaichi last month. As he said about her, "she's a winner" and he just is naturally drawn to people with that kind of energy.
November 22, 2025 at 12:05 AM
FREE FRIDAY: Takaichi seeks to reassure markets as she unveils a large stimulus package, while the LDP and Ishin are working through differences on reducing the number of Diet seats.

open.substack.com/pub/observin...
Pump priming | Japan Daily Briefing
Takaichi seeks to reassure markets as government unveils large stimulus package
open.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Reposted by Tobias Harris
Literally Yoshida: have you considered the real victim of the Hatoyama purge, namely me???
November 20, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Literally Yoshida: have you considered the real victim of the Hatoyama purge, namely me???
November 20, 2025 at 11:47 PM
The ruling parties are deliberating on FY2026 tax reform, eyeing cooperation with opposition parties, while the LDP committee tasked with providing recommendations for revising Japan’s three national security documents next year met for the first time Thursday.

open.substack.com/pub/observin...
The ruling parties look ahead to 2026 | Japan Daily Briefing
LDP and Ishin no Kai committees begin deliberations on 2026 tax proposals and recommendations for the three national security documents
open.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:36 PM