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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

US Stock Futures Steady as Earnings Season and Jobs Data Take Center Stage

U.S. stock index futures were relatively unchanged on Sunday evening following a strong الأداء on Wall Street last week, as investors turned their attention to a busy earnings calendar and key economic data. Market...

Oil Prices Ease Slightly as Strait of Hormuz Tensions and U.S.-Iran Talks Support Market Above $100

Oil prices edged lower on Monday but remained firmly above the $100 mark as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and stalled U.S.-Iran negotiations continued to influence global energy markets. Brent crude futures...

UAE Exits OAPEC Amid Shift Toward Independent Oil Strategy and Market Uncertainty

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially exited the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC), marking a major shift in its approach to global energy policy. The move was confirmed in a statement...

Fed’s Goolsbee Warns Inflation Remains Elevated, Signals Caution on Rate Cuts

Chicago Federal Reserve President Austan Goolsbee has cautioned that recent inflation data presents a challenge for the U.S. central bank, reinforcing a cautious stance on potential interest rate cuts. Speaking in a recent...

Trump Rejects Iran Proposal as Tensions Persist Amid Fragile Ceasefire

U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with Irans latest proposal for renewed talks, signaling continued deadlock in efforts to resolve the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict. Despite a ceasefire reached on...

Politics

Japan Signals Potential Shift on Arms Exports, Opening Door to Ukraine Support

Japans recent decision to relax its long-standing weapons export restrictions has created a potential pathway for future defense cooperation with Ukraine, according to Kyivs ambassador to Tokyo. While no immediate arms...

Poland Sees No Delays in U.S. Patriot Missile Defense Deliveries Despite Stockpile Concerns

Poland has not received any signals suggesting delays in the delivery of U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems, according to Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz. His statement comes amid growing concerns across...

Trump Announces “Project Freedom” to Aid Stranded Ships in Strait of Hormuz

U.S. President Donald Trump has unveiled a new humanitarian initiative called Project Freedom, designed to assist neutral commercial vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz due to escalating Middle East tensions. The...

Merz Downplays Rift With Trump as U.S. Plans Troop Reduction in Germany

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has acknowledged policy differences with former U.S. President Donald Trump but emphasized the importance of maintaining strong NATO ties and transatlantic cooperation. Speaking in a...

Taiwan President Lai Defends Global Engagement During Eswatini Visit Amid China Criticism

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te reaffirmed the islands right to engage internationally during a surprise diplomatic visit to Eswatini, pushing back against mounting pressure from China. Speaking to King Mswati III, Lai...

Science

China vs. NASA: The New Moon Race and What's at Stake by 2030

The space race is back and this time, its a direct competition between the United States and China for dominance on the lunar surface. NASAs Artemis II mission recently made history when four astronauts flew farther into...

NASA Artemis II: First Crewed Moon Mission Since Apollo Takes Four Astronauts on 10-Day Lunar Journey

NASAs Artemis II mission launched Wednesday, marking humanitys return to crewed lunar exploration for the first time since the Apollo era. Carrying four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft, this historic 10-day mission...

NASA's Artemis II Mission: First Crewed Lunar Journey Since Apollo

NASA's Artemis II Crew Arrives in Florida for Historic Moon Mission

The four astronauts chosen for NASAs Artemis II mission have touched down at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, marking the beginning of final launch preparations for the first crewed lunar journey in over 50 years. NASA...

SpaceX Pivots Toward Moon City as Musk Reframes Long-Term Space Vision

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has revealed a significant shift in the companys near-term space exploration strategy, announcing that SpaceX is now prioritizing the development of a self-growing city on the Moon rather than focusing...

Technology

U.S. Cybersecurity Pushes Faster Patch Deadlines Amid Rising AI-Driven Threats

U.S. cybersecurity officials are exploring significantly shorter deadlines for fixing critical vulnerabilities in government IT systems, driven by growing concerns that hackers are leveraging advanced artificial...

Apple Q2 2026 Earnings Surge as iPhone 17 Sales Drive Record Revenue

Apple delivered a strong fiscal Q2 2026 performance, reporting record-breaking revenue and profit growth fueled by robust iPhone sales and expanding services. The tech giant posted earnings of $2.01 per share on $111.18...

FBI Warns of China’s Expanding Hack-for-Hire Network Amid Extradition Case

The Chinese governments alleged hack-for-hire ecosystem is rapidly expanding and becoming increasingly difficult to control, according to a senior FBI official. Speaking on Thursday, FBI Assistant Director Brett Leatherman...

Taiwan Activates Backup Communications After Undersea Cable Break on Dongyin Island

Taiwan has activated emergency backup communications for Dongyin, its northernmost and strategically important island, after an undersea cable was damaged due to shifting shipwreck debris caused by severe weather. The...

Meta Raises 2026 Capex Outlook Amid AI Spending Surge, Shares Drop After Earnings

Meta Platforms has increased its full-year capital expenditure guidance for 2026, signaling continued aggressive investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure despite rising costs and market concerns. The company...