Reversing the ban on Japanese seafood imports may have been an effort to cash in accumulated leverage at a time when China may be on the back foot, say these academics.
The news came in a press release stating Japan and China had reached a “shared understanding” about expanding the international regime that monitors the release of treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean.
Given the ban’s timing - just days after Tokyo had angered Beijing by doubling down on its cooperation with Washington and Seoul at the 2023 Camp David Summit - it was instead interpreted as the latest example of Chinese economic coercion. As David Baldwin once succinctly put it: “Tomorrow’s threat may lay the groundwork for a promise on the day after tomorrow”.
For Tokyo, however, after facing 13 months of lobbying and industry pressure, the prospect of the ban's removal could be a tempting inducement. Second, Japan's governing Liberal Democratic Party is just days out from electing a new leader who will replace Fumio Kishida as prime minister. Several of the nine candidates are considered staunch critics of China, such as current Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Commentary: Japan has learnt a hard lesson about US friendshipThe Nippon Steel experience has broader ramifications for dealmaking, says Leo Lewis for the Financial Times.
Read more »
Commentary: Japan’s next leader will be different, and flawedA pack of three leads the crowded race to take over Fumio Kishida as the next prime minister. But each brings their own risks, says Bloomberg Opinion’s Gearoid Reidy.
Read more »
Construction worker dies at Changi worksite after being run over by reversing dump truckA 36-year-old man was arrested for causing death by a rash or negligent act.
Read more »
Man arrested after construction worker killed by reversing dump truck at worksiteSINGAPORE: A 35-year-old construction worker died on Wednesday (Aug 28) after he was struck by a reversing dump truck at a worksite at a junction of Tanah Merah Coast Road and the Changi East development, said the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on Friday.
Read more »
Construction worker dies after being run over by reversing dump truck in Changi, man arrestedA 35-year-old construction worker from China died on the spot after he was knocked down by a reversing dump truck at a worksite in Changi.
Read more »
Commentary: Think healthy foods holistically when it comes to Nutri-GradeAmid plans to extend front-of-pack nutrition labelling to key contributors of sodium and saturated fat in our diet, it’s worth thinking about whether notions of "healthy" and "unhealthy" foods are outdated, says Republic Polytechnic’s Dr Heng Kiang Soon.
Read more »