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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. Unleashes New Iran Sanctions, Targets Oil, Crypto and Trade Networks

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent unveiled a sweeping new sanctions campaign against Iran on Monday, targeting Tehrans oil exports, military procurement, cyber operations and international financial networks while...

Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Rebounds on Iran Sanctions

Asian currencies slipped on Tuesday as the U.S. dollar staged a modest rebound, with investors weighing expanded U.S. sanctions on Iran, elevated Treasury yields and upcoming Federal Reserve policy signals. The U.S. Dollar...

Asian Stocks Slip Ahead of Nvidia Earnings and US Inflation Data

Asian stocks mostly fell Tuesday as technology shares came under renewed pressure, while geopolitical uncertainty and upcoming U.S. economic data encouraged investors to reduce risk. The MSCI AC Asia Pacific index dropped...

Fed Chair Warsh to Speak at Pivotal Jackson Hole Symposium Amidst Economic Headwinds

With Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh presenting the opening speech on August 28, the approaching Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium set for August 2729 promises to be a major event in world economics. Renowned for...

US-Canada Tariff War Escalates With 50% Auto Duties

The U.S.-Canada trade war has intensified since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025, disrupting decades of economic cooperation and hitting industries including steel, aluminum, automobiles, lumber...

Politics

Zelenskiy Sees U.S. Mediation Window for Ukraine Peace Through Summer 2027

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy believes there is a window for U.S.-led mediation to help end the Russia-Ukraine war by the end of summer 2027, as Kyiv works with American and European officials on a new peace...

Iran Vows Retaliation as U.S. Expands Sanctions Pressure

Iran has vowed to retaliate against expanded U.S. sanctions aimed at restricting Tehrans access to the global economy, while expressing confidence that major trading partners, including China and Russia, will resist...

UK, France Pledge Stronger Military Support for Ukraine

Britain and France pledged stronger military support for Ukraine on Monday, including faster air defence deliveries and access to classified missile technology, as Kyiv marked the 35th anniversary of its independence....

Pakistan, Iran Report Progress in Talks to End U.S.-Israeli War

Pakistan and Iran have reported significant progress in diplomatic talks aimed at preventing further escalation in the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and finding a path toward a negotiated end to the conflict. Pakistans Interior...

New Zealand Labour Backs Social Media Ban for Under-16s

New Zealands main opposition Labour Party said Tuesday it will support a proposed social media ban for children under 16, giving Prime Minister Christopher Luxon a potential path to advance the legislation despite...

Science

Blue Origin New Glenn Explosion Could Delay Launch Operations Until 2028

Blue Origin is facing a significant setback after a dramatic explosion involving its New Glenn rocket severely damaged a launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida. According to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, repairs to the...

Blue Origin New Glenn Rocket Explodes During Launch Pad Test, Delaying Space Ambitions

Blue Origin suffered a major setback after its uncrewed New Glenn rocket exploded during a launch pad test in Florida on Thursday, raising new challenges for Jeff Bezos space company as it competes with Elon Musks SpaceX...

SpaceX Delays Starship V3 Launch Ahead of Potential Record IPO

SpaceX on Thursday postponed the highly anticipated launch of its 12th Starship rocket test from Texas after technical issues interrupted the final countdown. The company now plans to attempt the Starship V3 launch again...

Trump Administration Releases New UFO Files and Apollo Mission Records

The U.S. Defense Department has released dozens of previously classified UFO-related files following an order from President Donald Trump, sparking renewed debate over unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) and government...

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...

Technology

Google Expands Gemini Enterprise With AI Tools for Legal Sector

Google has expanded its Gemini Enterprise artificial intelligence platform with new tools designed for lawyers and law firms, intensifying competition among major technology companies seeking a larger share of the growing...

Luxshare Shares Rise as First-Half Profit Jumps 18%

Luxshare Precision Industry shares gained on Monday after the major Apple supplier reported strong first-half earnings and projected double-digit profit growth for the first nine months of the year, supported by expanding...

Nvidia Options Price in $280 Billion Earnings Swing

Nvidia options traders are preparing for a potentially massive market reaction when the AI chip giant reports second-quarter earnings on Wednesday, with derivatives pricing suggesting a roughly $280 billion shift in the...

SK Hynix Shares Fall as Workers Reject Wage Deal

SK Hynix shares declined on Tuesday after union members narrowly voted against a tentative wage agreement, forcing the South Korean chipmaker and its workers to return to negotiations over pay and performance incentives....

Unitree Shares Plunge 45% After Blockbuster IPO, Raising China Tech Bubble Fears

Unitree shares have plunged about 45% from their post-IPO highs, raising concerns about a potential robotics stock bubble, retail investor losses and weaknesses in Chinas listing system. The Chinese humanoid robot maker...