Episode 244

#244 - Japan is Waking

While everyone has been worried about U.S. elections, Japan held elections too – with a result that has upended everything we’ve known about Japanese politics since 2009. To understand what has changed and what is at stake, Jacob is joined by Japan expert Tobias Harris – they chat about changes in Japan and why underestimating Japan is a bad idea. They also discuss Tobias’s recent biography on former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe and his legacy.

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Intro

(02:33) - Japan 101

(08:07) – Japanese disaffection

(16:26) – Japanese paralysis

(19:17) – Zoom out

(23:31) – China

(31:00) – ROK/Japan

(36:45) – Shinzo Abe

Referenced in the Show:

Link to Tobias’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Iconoclast-Shinzo-Abe-New-Japan/dp/1787383105

Jacob Shapiro Site: jacobshapiro.com