About
Transpacifica is primarily written by me, Graham Webster. I'm an analyst, journalist, and consultant on East Asian politics and technology. Here, I write about East Asian politics mostly in China and Japan, the Internet and society, the environment, and contemporary art. Unavoidably, I sometimes veer off topic—even with a topic as large as the Pacific.
By day, I work at the EastWest Institute in New York City, but all opinions are my own and do not represent EWI or any of my other clients or employers.
Twitter: @gwbstr.
Website: gwbstr.com.-
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Monthly Archives: October 2006
Koike Yuriko: Japan’s Condi?
Newsweek has some questions for Japan’s first national security advisor, Koike Yuriko [ja]. Unfortunately they’re none too illuminating. The point of the piece seems to be, “Wow, a female national security advisor? Say, that’s just like Condi!” I should be … Continue reading
A Bit of U.S.–Japan History on Water-Boarding
In the United States, “water-boarding,” an interrogation technique considered by many (including myself) to be torture, is back in the news. Vice President Dick Cheney either said it was fine, or journalists misinterpreted his statement—depending on who you ask. I … Continue reading
A Progressive Response to North Korea
This piece originally appeared on CampusProgress.org. It outlines the argument set forth by Joe Cirincione, the head of national security and international policy at my day job—the Center for American Progress. Ask the Expert: North Korea’s Nuclear Test A progressive … Continue reading
Feeling Demographic Squeeze, Japanese Colleges Turn to Chinese Market
In an “aging society,” it stands to reason that some colleges and universities might have trouble attracting students in Japan. And, as we all know, institutions of higher learning need revenue like any other organization. For some schools, reports Tak … Continue reading
Tagged Abe Shinzo, China-Japan
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What About the Trade Imbalance, Indeed
Is China growing at the United States’ expense? That is one of the most vexing questions about China for U.S. politicians, and that’s the question Stephen Roach of Morgan Stanley and Desmond Lachman of the American Enterprise Institute are at … Continue reading
Tagged China-U.S., Economics
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Is the Nuclear Unity Hiding Ongoing Friction?
Dozens of reporters are working the North Korean nuclear test story. Dozens more, some on double duty, are covering Abe Shinzo’s tour through China and South Korea. I won’t try to duplicate or aggregate their work, but some of the … Continue reading
White House in Support of Abe’s Asia Visits
The White House came out in support of strong ties among East Asian states yesterday, but emphasized Japan–South Korea ties more than better relations between Japan and China. I read the reference to the United States’ “two key allies in … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Abe Shinzo, China-Japan, China-U.S., Japan-South Korea, Triangle
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Obvious Headline of the Month
From the Associated Press comes a new penetrating analysis: “1937 invasion hinders China-Japan ties.” It’s actually a decent article for a general audience. Just not exactly an insightful headline from the AP desk.
