Dan Sneider
LightNews LightNews
dcsneider.bsky.social
Dan Sneider
@dcsneider.bsky.social
2.7K followers 240 following 670 posts
Lecturer, East Asian Studies and International Policy, Stanford University
Former foreign correspondent, The Christian Science Monitor
Former editor and syndicated columnist, The San Jose Mercury News
Posts Replies Media Videos
dcsneider.bsky.social
and for the record, report by Joongang Ilbo
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2026-01...
Lee calls for deeper regional cooperation at summit with Takaichi in ancient Japanese capital of Nara
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Tuesday that he had urged closer trilateral cooperation among Seoul, Tokyo and Beijing during a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in the a...
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com
January 14, 2026 at 12:39 AM
dcsneider.bsky.social
and now a report from Korean media on outcomes, in the same tone.
www.koreatimes.co.kr/foreignaffai...
Seoul, Tokyo stress S. Korea-US-Japan cooperation on NK denuclearization - The Korea Times
NARA, Japan — President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday emphasized the importance of South Korea-Japan cooperat...
www.koreatimes.co.kr
January 14, 2026 at 12:37 AM
dcsneider.bsky.social
Initial reports are that the Lee-Takaichi meeting went well - lots of good vibes (literally), with small gestures on the past and careful avoidance of the China confrontation. Here is pre meeting report from Hankyoreh with useful comments by Lee.
english.hani.co.kr/arti/english...
Not South Korea’s place to get involved in China-Japan conflict, says Lee
The South Korean president expressed hope that the two sides would find an “amicable resolution through dialogue”
english.hani.co.kr
January 14, 2026 at 12:34 AM
dcsneider.bsky.social
My analysis of the Korean relations with China and Japan, republished in AsiaTimes.
asiatimes.com/2026/01/sout...
South Korea walks a narrow bridge between China and Japan - Asia Times
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is spending the first weeks of the new year attempting a feat of diplomatic engineering that would challenge the most
asiatimes.com
January 11, 2026 at 1:23 AM
dcsneider.bsky.social
China warning about Japanese militarism and nuclear ambitions is quite rich given their own buildup and nuclear arsenal. But it is classic Chinese propaganda.
www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/01...
China widens attack on Japan nuclear ‘threats’ as ties sour
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has said her government abides by the principles, but hasn’t been clear on whether that commitment will remain unchanged.
www.japantimes.co.jp
January 11, 2026 at 1:07 AM
dcsneider.bsky.social
Asahi Shimbun also opines to condemn US actions in Venezuela.
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
EDITORIAL: Outrageous act by U.S. against Venezuela must be condemned | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
Troops were sent into the capital of another nation to detain its president and bring him back to face a trial. And the invading nation intends to “run the country.”
www.asahi.com
January 10, 2026 at 1:38 AM
dcsneider.bsky.social
My latest for KEI Peninsula blog
keia.org/the-peninsul...
South Korea Walks a Narrow Bridge between China and Japan - Korea Economic Institute of America
Seoul's careful management of the complex triangular relations in the region takes place against a backdrop of growing global uncertainty.
keia.org
January 9, 2026 at 10:15 PM
dcsneider.bsky.social
Even the conservative Yomiuri daily is opposed to Trump's Venezuela aggression.
japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/yo...
Attack on Venezuela: Use of Military Force by U.S. Raises Deep Concern
Editorial [posttime] JST, [postdate] The U.S. military launched an attack on Venezuela, overthrowing the anti-U.S. administration. This aggressive approach, which does not rule out the use of force ag...
japannews.yomiuri.co.jp
January 9, 2026 at 6:23 AM
dcsneider.bsky.social
Japanese business leader says what the Japanese government can't or won't say about Trump.
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
Business leader calls ‘dictator’ Trump’s policies ‘sheer madness’ | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
FUKUOKA—The chairman of the Fukuoka Chamber of Commerce and Industry tore into U.S. President Donald Trump, characterizing him as “far more ferocious than a bear” and describing his policies as irrati...
www.asahi.com
January 9, 2026 at 6:20 AM
dcsneider.bsky.social
Excellent dissection of the 'foreigner problem' discussion in Japan today -- rhetoric versus reality - in the latest Economist.
www.economist.com/leaders/2026...
Does Japan have a “foreigner problem”?
Yes—but it is not what populist politicians say it is
www.economist.com
January 9, 2026 at 3:08 AM
dcsneider.bsky.social
The Economist on the strange succession process in North Korea.
www.economist.com/asia/2026/01...
The teenage girl who may rule North Korea
Even her name is a matter of debate
www.economist.com
January 9, 2026 at 3:07 AM
dcsneider.bsky.social
The view from Korean progressives of the Venezuela attack.
english.hani.co.kr/arti/english...
english.hani.co.kr
January 6, 2026 at 1:29 AM
dcsneider.bsky.social
Takaichi dodges comment on the Trump's imperial attack on Venezuela but the rest of the Japanese political spectrum does not hesitate to call it an illegal act.
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
Takaichi walks a fine line over U.S. attack on Venezuela | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi avoided commenting on the Trump administration’s arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, but some within her government harshly criticized the U.S. military action...
www.asahi.com
January 5, 2026 at 11:21 AM
dcsneider.bsky.social
Crucial meetings coming up, starting Sunday in China between Xi and Lee, followed in a couple of weeks with a Lee visit to Japan in Takaichi's hometown of Nara.
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
China's Xi to host South Korea's Lee in New Year amid Japan tensions | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
SEOUL/BEIJING--Chinese President Xi Jinping will host South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on a state visit starting on Sunday, signalling Beijing's intent to strengthen ties with Seoul amidst straine...
www.asahi.com
January 2, 2026 at 9:14 AM
dcsneider.bsky.social
Nice slice of Korean life story from Michelle Lee of the Post.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
South Korea’s hottest new dance clubs open at 9 (a.m.)
In South Korea, notorious for its hard drinking culture, younger generations are increasingly opting for morning dance parties — powered by coffee, not alcohol.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 28, 2025 at 12:00 AM
dcsneider.bsky.social
Japanese policy on foreigners is moving towards a far more restrictive approach - what happens when labor shortages are getting more severe and there is competition for skilled workers elsewhere in Asia and the world? Japan First becomes Japan Last.
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
Japan to double required period in the country for citizenship | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
Japan is moving to double the required length of stay in the country for foreign nationals to acquire Japanese citizenship while adding a Japanese language proficiency condition for permanent residenc...
www.asahi.com
December 25, 2025 at 1:08 AM
dcsneider.bsky.social
Tobias Harris hits the mark with this oped in Nikkei Asia. The drift toward narrow nationalism led by Takaichi would fundamentally endanger the sources of Japanese peace and prosperity.
asia.nikkei.com/opinion/taka...
Takaichi's 'Japan First' is a retreat from Abe's vision of openness
Nation's inward turn risks weakening the foundations of its security and growth
asia.nikkei.com
December 25, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Reposted by Dan Sneider
tobiasharris.bsky.social
New in @asia.nikkei.com, I argue that Takaichi's agenda augurs an inward turn that could harm Japan's security.

asia.nikkei.com/opinion/taka...
Takaichi's 'Japan First' is a retreat from Abe's vision of openness
Nation's inward turn risks weakening the foundations of its security and growth
asia.nikkei.com
December 23, 2025 at 11:25 PM
dcsneider.bsky.social
The Washington Post looks at the Japanese defense buildup -- it is about China, but it is also about Trump.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Mindful of Trump and China, Japan is ramping up defense spending
Japan has accelerated plans to devote 2 percent of its GDP — and more — to its military as China grows more assertive and the U.S. urges allies to spend bigger.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:32 AM
dcsneider.bsky.social
Asahi's vox populi on the nuclear taboo being broken by the Prime Minister's anonymous aide.
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
VOX POPULI: Official’s nuke remark could force Takaichi to make ‘U-turn’ | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
“To those waiting with bated breath for that favorite media catchphrase, the ‘U-turn,’ I have only one thing to say: ‘You turn if you want to. The lady’s not for turning!’”
www.asahi.com
December 21, 2025 at 12:00 AM
dcsneider.bsky.social
dark clouds on the Korea-Japan horizon, thanks to Takaichi.
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
Japan-Korea relations: Sanae's puzzling provocation
The new prime minister's claim over disputed islands was made with a domestic audience in mind.
www.lowyinstitute.org
December 19, 2025 at 3:00 AM
dcsneider.bsky.social
Zach Cooper at AEI on Asia related items in the defense authorization act. Of particular interest the restrictions on withdrawal of US force levels in Korea without Congressional authorization (not new by the way).
www.aei.org/foreign-and-...
www.aei.org
December 13, 2025 at 12:09 AM
dcsneider.bsky.social
Not really reassuring words from the WH re China and Japan. Equivalency reads as abandonment.
www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/12...
Trump can balance China and Japan alliance despite row, White House says
The U.S. and Japanese defense chiefs also spoke over the phone, expressing “grave concern” over Beijing’s recent military actions.
www.japantimes.co.jp
December 12, 2025 at 6:45 PM
dcsneider.bsky.social
My latest, republished in AsiaTimes, on the national security strategy and what it means in Asia.
asiatimes.com/2025/12/us-n...
US National Retreat Strategy leaves Asia to manage consequences - Asia Times
The Donald Trump administration’s much-awaited National Security Strategy (NSS) landed last week with an audible thud. The somewhat truncated
asiatimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 4:12 PM
dcsneider.bsky.social
in the better late than never category
www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/12...
U.S. backs Japan in radar row with China as Tokyo refutes Beijing’s claims
Washington criticized Beijing over its military’s use of radar on Japanese fighter jets Saturday — the first time the Trump administration has weighed in on the incident.
www.japantimes.co.jp
December 10, 2025 at 4:11 PM