Fukuda's premiership may signal a Tokyo-Beijing thaw, but both parties are proceeding with caution.

If the Noda government relinquishes its claim to the joint exploration of the seabed around the Senkakus, hesitates to modernize Japan's military and cuts back on missile defense activities, a conservative backlash could emerge, heightened by perceived regional impressions that Japan is weakening relative to China.

Japan is in for a rough ride in the coming months, and the United States may have significant problems with its key Asian ally.

Japan must weigh the economic and security consequences of closer ties with China against the risk of declining U.S. influence in Asia.

Anew trilateral agreementin East Asia is necessarytoreduce themisunderstanding among friends and rivals alike.

By refusing to make any further disclosure concerning its nuclear programs, North Korea has again shown its true colors.

Japan's new prime minister, Taro Aso, must quickly devise a realistic plan to reform Japan's economy and justify its global role if he and his Liberal Democratic Party are to survive.

Japan's new prime minister, Taro Aso, must quickly devise a realistic plan to reform Japan's economy and justify its global role if he and his Liberal Democratic Party are to survive.