Hiromi Murakami

(村上廣美)

Hiromi Murakami

村上廣美

The latest news and top stories on Hiromi Murakami. An Adjunct Associate Professor at Temple University Japan Campus, she specialises in public policy, political economy, international relations and Japanese politics. She is also a Visiting Scholar at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, leading its Japan challenge program. With a PhD from Johns Hopkins SAIS, she authored "Resilience and Autonomy in Prewar and Wartime Japan" and contributes to policy discussions on gender and industry-state relations, leveraging experience from the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Hiromi Murakami

(村上廣美)

Why Japan’s ruling party is pushing for 5% military spending

The ruling party is expected to debate raising outlays to as much as 5 per cent of GDP, in line with that of many Nato members.

Why Japan’s Takaichi is already facing resistance inside her own party

Israel envoy protests Japanese TV pundit’s remarks on Kushner’s Jewish identity

‘Making a racket in Chinese’: Japan’s cherry blossom season stirs cultural rift

A report claims residents of Dazaifu in Fukuoka prefecture complained about groups ‘making a racket in Chinese’ at a popular hanami spot.

Philip Tinari on his global journey through art and culture

After 20 years in Beijing, Tai Kwun’s new deputy director and head of art talks about why Hong Kong is now the place to be.

Trump’s ‘wind-up doll’? Japan’s PM faces backlash over White House fawning

White House imagery showing Sanae Takaichi cheering for a rock song and laughing at a jibe at Joe Biden left some in Japan feeling ‘ashamed’.

Japan’s Takaichi pushes to scrap food tax, ignoring economists’ warnings

The newly reappointed prime minister is gambling 5 trillion yen a year on a popular election promise that could backfire badly.

Style Edit: The story behind the Louis Vuitton Monogram

Designed to defeat counterfeiters 130 years ago, the motif has become one of the most recognisable in all of fashion, seen on everyone from Audrey Hepburn to Zendaya.

Japan’s ‘love hotel’ mayor stages comeback, shattering political taboos

Akira Ogawa’s return suggests voters are finally judging women in Japanese politics by the same imperfect standards as men.

Takaichi is shaping up as Japan’s Thatcher. How long can she last?

The prime minister has defied the odds by winning back LDP voters with sweeping immigration, economic policies and a tough stance on Beijing.

More Japanese favour having an empress as Princess Aiko’s public appeal rises

Japan’s conservative politicians are against changing the centuries-old tradition of a male heir for the throne.

Could Osaka be Japan’s second capital? Takaichi appears to demur on ally’s plan

A key demand of the Japan Innovation Party in its alliance with the Liberal Democratic Party is for Osaka to be Tokyo’s backup capital.

Takaichi-Lee meeting raises hopes of Japan and South Korea burying history row

The two leaders focused on regional security and trade, and did not mention long-standing differences over history and maritime territory.

‘Peace-loving’ Japan to ease weapons export rules amid rising security tensions

The three principles guiding defence equipment exports and broader security tenets are expected to be updated.

Controversy overshadows policy in race to be Japan’s next PM

Koizumi has had to apologise over an orchestrated online praise campaign, while Takaichi is facing accusations of xenophobia.

Japan’s ‘house of cards’: Ishiba clings to power as hawks demand LDP election

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba faces more pressure to step down following an LDP report on its defeat in July’s Upper House election.

Japan-South Korea ties set for boost as Lee, Ishiba meet

Lee Jae-myung’s pragmatic approach is no surprise given South Korea’s economic challenges and regional security concerns, analysts note.

Japan’s ruling LDP tips into crisis mode with PM’s expected exit

As rumours swirl of Shigeru Ishiba’s resignation, a leadership contest now looms that risks tearing the ruling Liberal Democratic Party apart.

With US tariffs looming, China’s panda diplomacy returns as Japan seeks new loan

Panda loans can be a ‘bargaining chip’ to make bilateral ties stronger and allow China to show it can be a regional leader, analysts say.