Browse Research and Commentary

Economic Growth, Energy, and Economic Partnership: Japan’s Current Obstacles and New Opportunities

May 3, 2013

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In a country [like Japan] where pork barrel projects have been rampant, infrastructure projects that seek to cater to the needs of construction companies have been a very common fact of political life. That it's in an electoral year gives me plenty of reasons to worry that when you are putting together a very hefty stimulus package, you are indeed using it in a wise manner and not just for the sake of spending to generate political support.

April 5, 2013, Mireya Solís, Council on Foreign Relations

What makes me more hopeful is that I see a positive convergence between the domestic efforts, the economic strategy, and what's been going on in the trade front. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Three more [Trans-Pacific Partnership] countries have to say yes to the plan, including the United States. There are many different hurdles, and we will have to see how it turns out in the future.

April 5, 2013, Mireya Solís, Council on Foreign Relations

There's been this desire to not add fuel to the fire, and [for Japan] to have stable relations with China. I think everybody understands what tragic consequences could arise from using a very nationalist rhetoric that would be quite self-defeating.

April 5, 2013, Mireya Solís, Council on Foreign Relations

It seems to me that when you want an ambassador, two very important assets are proximity to the president—which [Caroline Kennedy] clearly has—and visibility. There has been a pattern in the past of appointing high-profile people to this post and that [Ms. Kennedy's nomination] would fit into the pattern. This is a complicated region, but she has those two very important assets.

April 1, 2013, Mireya Solís, Wall Street Journal

Japan’s Big Bet on the Trans-Pacific Partnership: The TPP Nations Should Reciprocate

March 25, 2013, Mireya Solís

What Lies Ahead for Japan and the United States

March 22, 2013

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Business Advocacy in Asian PTAs: A Model of Selective Corporate Lobbying with Evidence from Japan

March 15, 2013, Mireya Solís

Earthquake, Tsunami, Meltdown - The Triple Disaster's Impact on Japan, Impact on the World

March 11, 2013, Elizabeth Ferris and Mireya Solís

Asia is an economic dynamo, and the [Obama] administration very much wants to be in the region. At a time of limited resources, it's difficult to fund the rebalancing [to Asia], so the value of alliances increases.

February 22, 2013, Mireya Solís, Los Angeles Times

The Hollowing-Out of Japan’s Economy: Myths, Facts and Countermeasures

February 20, 2013

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The Future of China-Taiwan Relations

February 6, 2013

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Japan’s Trade Policy in 2013: Possibilities and Pitfalls

February 1, 2013, Mireya Solís

President Barack Obama’s Second Term: Big Bets and Black Swans

January 17, 2013

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Free Trade Game Changer

January 17, 2013, Mireya Solís and Justin Vaïsse

[While quantitative easing by the Bank of Japan] may have an effect on the exchange rate, it is not the same as outright currency intervention. Moreover, the U.S. would be hard pressed to criticize Japan as the [Federal Reserve] has also resorted to quantitative easing to avoid deflationary pressures.

January 17, 2013, Mireya Solís, Reuters

Big Bets and Black Swans: Foreign Policy Challenges for President Obama’s Second Term

January 17, 2013

What’s really important here is that, in contrast to [Shinzo Abe's] previous administration, he’s decided not to visit China. The preference is a robust relation with the U.S. That’s a priority, but Southeast Asia is going to be a very important partner given the relationship with China is so rocky.

January 9, 2013, Mireya Solís, Voice of America

Mr. Abe's long-cherished objectives of constitutional revision, embrace of collective defense, and — in the run up to this election — his self-cultivated image as someone capable of taking a tough stance with China on the territorial dispute, does create concern among Japan's neighbors...But the newly elected prime minister also understands that despite the landslide victory of his party, the LDP does not enjoy widespread popular support.

December 17, 2012, Mireya Solís, U.S. News & World Report

LDP Landslide Victory with No Mandate: How Did It Happen and What Can We Expect Next?

December 17, 2012, Mireya Solís

The Trans-Pacific Partnership: Can the United States Lead the Way in Asia-Pacific Integration?

December 11, 2012, Mireya Solís

Managing Transitions in Northeast Asia, the Global Economy, and Japan-U.S. Relations

November 28, 2012

[The Trans-Pacific Partnership] isn’t about marginalizing China, but about defining the agenda [for economic policy in the region].

November 19, 2012, Mireya Solís, Washington Post

Can the TPP Save Prime Minister Noda’s Political Career?

November 13, 2012, Mireya Solís

But there are also important political considerations that have acted as roadblocks. FTAs are inter-governmental negotiations and when diplomatic relations are strained because of historical or territorial issues, the impetus for these official trade negotiations wanes.

October 26, 2012, Mireya Solís, Lifeweek.com.cn