Politics

Curtis with Columbia colleagues Myron Cohen and Andrew Nathan, and graduate student Tim Curran, in the mid-1970s. 
My Personal History

Retirement: Gerald Curtis (28)

A more than 50-year relationship with Columbia University

28 October 2025
Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama, center left, sits across from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during their meeting in Tokyo on Oct. 27. (Pool photo)
International relations

Japan finance chief, Bessent discuss Russia energy sanctions in 1st talks

Katayama and US treasury secretary also cover Tokyo's $550bn pledge to Washington

28 October 2025
Uzbekistan's capital Tashkent. Foreign investment is driving the country's economic growth. (Photo by Akira Takemura)
International relations

Japan to lead $1.45bn loan for Uzbekistan renewables

Tokyo eyes more influence in region where China, Russia hold sway

28 October 2025
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is entering office with a 74% approval rating.
Japan's new PM

Japan's Takaichi to push defense exports on back of high approval rating

New ruling coalition seeks to eliminate restrictions on weapons exports

28 October 2025
H.R. McMaster, a former U.S. national security adviser, says China and Russia are both in a weak position because they overextended themselves. (Photo by Yukihiro Sakaguchi)
Trump administration

China will 'pocket' any concessions US makes on Taiwan: ex-Trump adviser

H.R. McMaster says Beijing is threat in both Indo-Pacific and Europe

28 October 2025
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who spoke to Nikkei in Tokyo on Oct. 27. (Photo by Seiko Ota)
Interview

Japan's $550bn package targets US infrastructure, commerce chief says

More than half of funds may go to electricity and energy development

27 October 2025
Hopes are high for newly inaugurated Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to deliver an expansionary fiscal package to support growth. (Photo by Nanami Sato)
Equities

Nikkei average hits 50,000 for 1st time on US-China deal, likely Fed cut

Yen trades around 153 per dollar, depreciating to all-time low against euro

27 October 2025
Takaya Taguchi, co-founder and CEO of Helical Fusion, speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on Oct. 27. (Photo by Shotaro Tani)
Energy

Japan startup touts 'world first' in key electromagnets for fusion energy

Superconducting technology confines plasma in reactor; to be applied in pilot plant

27 October 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump boards Air Force One as he departs for Japan at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 27. 
International relations

Trump departs Malaysia for Japan, set to meet Takaichi

US president continues Asia tour after overnight stay in Kuala Lumpur

27 October 2025
Gerald Curtis receives the Japan Foundation Award from its then-President Hiroaki Fujii in 2002.
My Personal History

The imperial family: Gerald Curtis (27)

Sharing a love of music and art with the emperor and empress

27 October 2025
Takaichi vs. Ueda: While concerns over "the Trump tariffs" have somewhat eased, domestic politics are now creating complexities. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Ken Suzuki, Seiko Ota and Akira Kodaka)
Trading Asia

BOJ early rate hike bets recede amid potential Trump, Takaichi impacts

Volatile yen and fragile US economy weigh on Japanese central bank decision

27 October 2025
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks in the upper house of Japan's parliament on Oct. 24. (Photo by Ken Suzuki)
Japan's new PM

New Japan PM Takaichi starts with 74% approval: Nikkei poll

Inflation is top concern of respondents, followed by economic growth

27 October 2025
Curtis at dinner with former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.
My Personal History

Junichiro Koizumi: Gerald Curtis (26)

Dining with an activist prime minister

26 October 2025
A Japanese family pose in the street in Tokyo's Asakusa district during the Sanja Matsuri on May 19, 2024.
Opinion

Japan wants its people to work more and more

Leaders preach toil as citizens burn out; true reform values life, not just labor

26 October 2025
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, left, speaks with reporters in Kuala Lumpur after a phone called with U.S. President Donald Trump on Oct. 25. (Photo by Ryuto Imao)
International relations

Trump and Takaichi hold 1st phone call, discuss US-Japan alliance

Leaders spoke ahead of Trump's visit to Japan set to begin Monday

26 October 2025
U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass delivers a speech at the Mount Fuji Dialogue in Tokyo on Oct. 25. (Photo by Shintaro Ino)
Materials

US aims to work with Japan in reviving American mines to counter China

Ambassador says part of $550bn commitment will ease Beijing's rare earth curbs

25 October 2025
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, in an online appearance, joins the Mount Fuji Dialogue hosted by the Japan Center for Economic Research and the Japan Institute of International Affairs in Tokyo on Oct. 25. (Photo by Ryota Ogata)
International relations

Japan PM Takaichi seeks 'honest exchange of views' with Trump at summit

US deputy secretary of state urges Japanese investment in advanced manufacturing

25 October 2025
The panelists at the Mount Fuji Dialogue discuss the future of the Japan-U.S. alliance in Tokyo on Oct. 25. (Photo by Shintaro Ino)
Indo-Pacific

Permanence of Japan-US alliance is not guaranteed, security experts warn

Mount Fuji Dialogue panelists call for stronger economic ties to compete with China

25 October 2025
Former Prime Minister Naoto Kan meets with Curtis at his home in New York.
My Personal History

The rise and fall of the DPJ: Gerald Curtis (25)

Prime Minister Hatoyama lost no time doing the opposite of what I had recommended

25 October 2025
Kyoto Fusioneering is developing nuclear fusion power generation technology. (Kyoto Fusioneering)
Markets

'Takaichi trade' boosts Japan's space, nuclear fusion sectors

Shares of space startup Astroscale have risen 40% since LDP leadership race

25 October 2025
New Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama speaks with reporters in an interview on Oct. 24.
Politics

Japan finance chief seeks tougher investment checks modeled on CFIUS

Katayama stresses need for 'more effective' review process

25 October 2025
Chinese President Xi Jinping, who did not send a congratulatory message to Sanae Takaichi, had done so for every other new Japanese prime minister since he took office. (Source photos by Nikkei, Kyodo)
International relations

China's Xi skips congratulatory message to new Japan PM Takaichi

Premier Li Qiang responds instead amid unease over new right-leaning leader

25 October 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi are slated to meet on Oct. 28 in Tokyo. (Source photos by Reuters, Ken Suzuki)
International relations

Japan, US to sign cooperation deal on AI, 6G as China gains ground

Agreement aims to set standards and promote exports to emerging markets

25 October 2025
Kurt Campbell, Chairman and Co-Founder of The Asia Group, former Deputy Secretary of State, speaks during a panel discussion at the 22nd CSIS/NIKKEI Symposium in Tokyo on Oct. 24. (Photo by Shintaro Ino)
Indo-Pacific

Japan's Takaichi faces Trump uncertainty on Indo-Pacific, experts say

CSIS/Nikkei panelists urge new prime minister to exercise foreign policy pragmatism

24 October 2025
Japanese Prime minister Sanae Takaichi delivers a policy speech in parliament in Tokyo on Oct. 24. (Photo by Marina Inoue) 
Japan's new PM

Japan PM Takaichi vows to boost defense spending to 2% of GDP by March

Call to achieve target 2 years ahead of time comes as Trump set to visit

24 October 2025
Curtis chats with former Japan Socialist Party leader Takako Doi (center, holding flowers) at a party celebrating the publication of his book in 2008.
My Personal History

Japan's political left: Gerald Curtis (24)

The lives of idealists who tried to steer Japan's socialists toward reform -- and watched it unravel

24 October 2025
Just days after her election as Japan's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, seen here at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Oct. 21, is expected to leverage her political affiliation with her late predecessor, Shinzo Abe, to build a relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump, who is visiting Japan next week. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi)
Policy Asia

Japan's Takaichi awaits Trump with economic security in spotlight

New PM to make her diplomatic debut with ASEAN trip; Abe 'lineage' seen strengthening US links

24 October 2025
The selection of Satsuki Katayama, center of middle row, as finance minister by new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, bottom center, has eased investor concerns about fiscal expansion.
Bonds

Ultralong Japan bond yields cool as Takaichi allays investors' fiscal fears

New leadership doesn't seem poised for undisciplined spending, analysts say

24 October 2025
Japan's LDP and Japan Innovation Party have formed a new ruling coalition, with the latter agreeing to provide "extra-cabinet cooperation." (Photo by Ken Suzuki) 
Japan's new PM

Japan's new coalition needs centrist unity to endure, history shows

Past examples of G7 governments suggest fewer parties mean more stability

24 October 2025
Japan has agreed to purchase $8 billion in U.S. agricultural products, including soybeans, as part of this summer's tariff agreement with the Trump administration.
Commodities

Japan looks to subsidize storage of soybeans bought under Trump tariff deal

Government to demonstrate commitment to trade pact ahead of US president's visit next week

24 October 2025