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Taku Tamaki

Lecturer in International Relations, Loughborough University

Taku Tamaki is a Lecturer in International Relations, specialising in the international political dynamics of the Asia-Pacific region. After gaining his PhD at Aberystwyth, he was Research Fellow at the Institute of Asian Cultural Studies at International Christian University in Tokyo, and taught International Relations at Plymouth before moving to Loughborough in 2007. He has taught a wide range of courses on international politics and international political economy, including International Relations Theory, the United Nations and International Organisations, The Asia-Pacific in Global Politics, and the International Political Economy of the Asia-Pacific Region.

Having spent four years as a US Treasuries broker at Cantor Fitzgerald (Tokyo office), he brings first-hand experience of political economy to the classroom, having experienced the market turmoil immediately following the announcement of the collapse of Barings Bank in 1995.

Taku is interested in applying the concepts of International Relations and Social Theory to the international political-economic dynamics of the Asia-Pacific region. His main focus is on Japanese foreign policy in East Asia, spanning both Tokyo’s diplomatic- and economic relations with Asia and the US.

His current research investigates the images of Asia in contemporary Japanese foreign- and economic policy pronouncements. Here, he explores how policy elites understand and explain Asia as both a threat and opportunity—an interpretation that transcends both the past and present. He is also looking into Japan’s soft power projection in Western Europe, researching on the way Japanese government perceives its political- and economic activities in the EU and the UK.

He has published in leading journals in international relations and the international politics of the Asia-Pacific, including The Pacific Review, International Relations, and the International Relations of the Asia-Pacific.

Global Geopolitics Series

Caught between Trump and Kim, Japan is nervous and alone

Sep 11, 2017 14:53 pm UTC| Insights & Views

North Koreas nuclear test, by far its largest, came less than a week after it test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile that flew over northern Japan, triggering a national text-message system known as the...

Japan has turned its culture into a powerful political tool

Apr 26, 2017 07:49 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics

Much has been made of Japans recent turn away from pacifism and growing military muscle, but Tokyo is also extending its global reach in more subtle ways. Japan is especially serious about increasing its soft power, the...

An ageing emperor steps down – and leaves Japan at an awkward crossroads

Aug 10, 2016 15:42 pm UTC| Insights & Views Politics

Emperor Akihitos recent statement to the Japanese nation had been anticipated for some time, but it was nonetheless a startling moment. Akihito refrained from uttering the a-word, but the message was clear: he wants to...

Obama's Hiroshima visit was hugely momentous – and bitterly ironic

May 27, 2016 16:03 pm UTC| Insights & Views

After accepting an invitation from the Japanese government, Barack Obama has become the first sitting president of the US to visit Hiroshima, the site of the first ever atomic bombing. Speaking in front of the Hiroshima...

Economy

U.S. Economy Grows Faster Than Expected in Q2, Inflation Pressures Easing

The U.S. economy expanded faster than anticipated in the second quarter, with a 2.8% annualized growth rate driven by robust consumer spending and business investment. Inflation pressures eased, supporting expectations for...

China Central Bank Surprises Markets with Second Unscheduled Rate Cut This Week

Chinas central bank surprised markets again this week with an unscheduled rate cut, issuing 200 billion yuan in one-year loans at significantly lower rates to stimulate the economy and address sharp stock market...

Turkey Terminates Saudi Deposit, Reflects Growing Economic Confidence

On July 24, Turkeys central bank announced it terminated a $5 billion deposit transaction with Saudi Arabia, signaling increased confidence in rebuilding foreign exchange reserves independently. The move reflects Turkeys...

Japan's Factory Activity Declines in July, but Service Sector Sees Significant Growth

Japans factory activity contracted slightly in July as output and new orders fell, according to a business survey. However, the service sectors expansion led to overall growth in the private sector, with the au Jibun Bank...

China Cuts Interest Rates to Boost Economy Amid Growth Concerns

On July 22, China, the worlds second-largest economy, enacted unexpected interest rate cuts to stimulate its sluggish, debt-laden economy. The Peoples Bank of China lowered key rates by 10 basis points following...

Politics

Donald Trump Mocks Kamala Harris with Shocking Nickname: 'I Couldn't Care Less If I Mispronounce It'

Donald Trump intensified his attacks on Vice President Kamala Harris, labeling her a bum and ridiculing the significance of pronouncing her name correctly during a speech in Florida. Speaking at a Turning Point event in...

Kamala Harris Surges as Working Families Party Nominee, Boosting 2024 Campaign Against Donald Trump

Vice President Kamala Harriss 2024 presidential campaign received a significant boost as the Working Families Party (WFP) officially nominated her, ensuring a strategic ballot line in New York and broad organizational...

FBI Confirms Bullet Struck Donald Trump During Assassination Attempt, Ending Speculation

The FBI confirmed late Friday that former President Donald Trump was indeed struck by a bullet during the assassination attempt on July 13, resolving earlier uncertainties about the incident. This update followed Trumps...

DNC Revamps Nominating Process as Kamala Harris Rises to Prominence

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is set to conduct a virtual roll call vote to select the partys 2024 presidential nominee ahead of the convention in Chicago. This procedural change reflects the rapid momentum...

Donald Trump Refuses to Debate Kamala Harris, Suggests Democrats Might Change Nominee

Former President Donald Trump has announced that he will not commit to any debates with Vice President Kamala Harris at this time, suggesting that the Democratic Party might still change its nominee for the upcoming...

Science

SpaceX Falcon 9 Ready to Fly Again Saturday After Resolving Engine Anomaly

SpaceX is set to relaunch its Falcon 9 rocket on Saturday (July 26) after a rare flight anomaly earlier this month. The company identified and fixed an engine issue, ensuring the rockets safety and readiness for its next...

SpaceX Reports 50,000 Collision-Avoidance Maneuvers by Starlink Satellites in Six Months

SpaceXs recent report indicates Starlink satellites executed 50,000 collision-avoidance maneuvers from December 2023 to May 2024, reflecting increasing traffic in orbit and raising concerns about potential...

SpaceX Unveils Design for ISS Deorbit Vehicle Using Dragon Heritage Hardware

NASAs decision to entrust SpaceX with constructing the ISS deorbit vehicle marks a significant milestone in space technology. SpaceX recently revealed a rendering of the car based on its Dragon spacecraft, which features...

SpaceX Completes Heat Shield Upgrade for Starship Ahead of Critical Flight 5 Test

SpaceX has completed a significant heat shield upgrade for Starship ahead of its fifth test flight. The upgrade aims to improve reentry safety following the issues from the fourth flight. A critical static fire test is...

SpaceX's New EVA Spacesuits Pass Testing for Historic Commercial Spacewalk

SpaceX has finalized acceptance testing of its new EVA spacesuits, marking a significant milestone for the Polaris Program. The suits will facilitate the first commercial spacewalk, led by entrepreneur Jared Isaacman,...

Technology

Bitcoin to Hit $13M! Michael Saylor's Bold Forecast at Bitcoin 2024 Stuns Audience

MicroStrategy co-founder Michael Saylor stunned the Bitcoin 2024 audience with a prediction that Bitcoins price will hit $13 million per coin by 2045. Bold BTC Predictions for 2045 Michael Saylor, a vocal co-founder...

Bitcoin Climbs to $67K: 75% of Short-Term Holders in Profit

Bitcoin has surged to $67,000, placing over 75% of short-term holders in profit and suggesting further bullish momentum. With three-quarters of short-term Bitcoin holders now turning a profit, the cryptocurrency could...

WhatsApp Hits 100 Million Monthly Users in the US, Bridging iPhone and Android Gap

WhatsApp has reached 100 million monthly active users in the United States, marking significant growth in a market dominated by Apples iMessage and traditional texting. This milestone highlights WhatsApps role in bridging...

Sam Altman's Worldcoin (WLD) Soars 10% Amid Latest Strategic Update

Worldcoin (WLD) surged 10% in value, hitting $2.31, following a crucial update from its developers. Major Price Surge Details A tremendous increase in the value of Worldcoin (WLD) has recently occurred. In the past...

$3.9B Bitcoin Futures Expiry Could Trigger Price Drop Below $63K

On July 26, Bitcoin might experience price drops below $63,000 as $3.9 billion in futures contracts expire, raising market concerns. Deribits Significant Bitcoin Futures Expiry On July 26, more than $3.9 billion...