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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

China Bank Lending Rebounds in September, Beats Forecasts

Chinas new bank lending surged in September, exceeding market expectations as Beijing intensified monetary stimulus measures to support its slowing economy. However, weak annual credit growth continued to highlight subdued...

Asian Stocks Fall as Oil Prices Rise Ahead of US CPI Data

Asian stock markets traded mostly lower on Wednesday as a brief recovery in artificial intelligence (AI) shares faded, while rising oil prices and uncertainty ahead of key U.S. inflation data weighed on investor sentiment....

S&P 500 Futures Rise Ahead of US Inflation Data and Bank Earnings

U.S. stock futures edged higher on Wednesday as investors awaited crucial inflation data and quarterly earnings from major Wall Street banks, with concerns over artificial intelligence financing continuing to influence...

Gaza Olive Harvest Collapses as War Destroys Farmland

Gazas olive harvest has plunged dramatically as widespread destruction of agricultural land leaves farmers struggling to recover their livelihoods, even a year after a ceasefire ended major fighting. In central Gaza,...

Italy’s Meloni Warns US-Russia Diesel Deal Could Weaken Ukraine Sanctions

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has criticized the recent US-Russia diesel supply agreement, warning that the arrangement could undermine Western sanctions against Moscow and weaken diplomatic efforts to end the war...

Politics

IMF Warns US Debt Crisis Needs Fiscal Action, Urges China to Boost Consumption

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that the United States cannot rely solely on economic growth to reduce its mounting national debt, urging Washington to introduce fiscal adjustments. Meanwhile, China must...

SpaceX Starlink Restrictions Disrupt Ukraine Military Operations

SpaceX reportedly imposed new restrictions on Starlink satellite terminals used by Ukraines military on Tuesday, disrupting critical battlefield operations as tensions between Kyiv and Washington intensified amid continued...

Trump Announces Massive Oil and Mineral Exploration Plans in Greenland

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Tuesday evening that large-scale oil, natural gas, and mineral exploration activities are expected to begin in Greenland, highlighting the Arctic territorys vast resource potential and...

China Resumes US Soybean Purchases After Trump-Xi Summit

China has resumed purchases of US soybeans, with state-owned trading companies securing between eight and 10 Panamax cargoes this week, marking the first major deals since Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping met in...

China Warns Taiwan Over South China Sea Coast Guard Incident

China has warned Taiwan of potential consequences after its Coast Guard used a water cannon against a Chinese fishing boat near the disputed Pratas Islands in the South China Sea, escalating tensions as Beijing increases...

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

Alibaba Unveils Qwen AI Smart Glasses, Shares Rise 2%

Alibaba Groups U.S.-listed shares climbed nearly 2% in pre-market trading on Wednesday after the Chinese technology giant introduced its latest Qwen AI smart glasses, strengthening its push into artificial...

ASML Raises 2026 Sales Forecast as AI Chip Demand Surges

ASML, the Dutch semiconductor equipment giant, has raised its full-year 2026 revenue forecast after posting record third-quarter sales, fueled by accelerating artificial intelligence (AI) investments and growing demand for...

Arm Breaches Qualcomm License Deal, Jury Awards $2

A Delaware jury has ruled that Arm Holdings violated its licensing agreement with Qualcomm and intentionally interfered with the chipmakers business relationship with Meta Platforms. However, the jury awarded Qualcomm just...

Nvidia Invests in Four French AI Companies to Expand European Presence

Nvidia Corp is expanding its presence in Europes artificial intelligence market through agreements to acquire minority stakes in four French technology companies, according to a report published Tuesday by French newspaper...

OpenAI Uses AI to Uncover Hidden Recording Device, FBI Makes Arrest

OpenAI has revealed that its artificial intelligence models played a crucial role in investigating a hidden recording device discovered inside one of its offices. The unusual security incident resulted in an employee being...