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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

Huawei Chip Breakthrough Sparks Rally in Chinese Semiconductor Stocks

Chinese semiconductor stocks surged Monday after Huawei announced a major breakthrough in advanced chip technology, fueling optimism about Chinas push for semiconductor self-sufficiency amid ongoing U.S. export...

European Stocks Rise as U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Hopes Lift Market Sentiment

European stock markets opened higher on Monday as investors reacted positively to reports suggesting the United States and Iran may be moving closer to a peace agreement. The prospect of easing geopolitical tensions helped...

Asian Stocks Rally as Japan’s Nikkei Hits Record High on AI and Chipmaker Surge

Asian stock markets advanced sharply on Monday, led by Japans Nikkei 225 and TOPIX indexes reaching fresh record highs as investors reacted positively to strong gains in U.S. semiconductor and artificial intelligence...

Dollar Weakens as Iran Deal Hopes Boost Global Currencies and Risk Appetite

The U.S. dollar slipped on Monday as optimism surrounding a potential U.S.-Iran peace agreement improved investor sentiment and reduced demand for safe-haven assets. Trading activity remained light due to public holidays...

Rupee Rebounds as RBI Signals Strong Support Amid Falling Oil Prices

The Indian rupee strengthened on Monday after hitting record lows near 97 against the U.S. dollar last week, as fresh intervention signals from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) boosted market confidence. The USD/INR...

Politics

Trump-Taiwan Call Could Reshape U.S.-China Relations, Says Taiwan Foreign Minister

Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said on Monday that a potential phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Taiwan President Lai Ching-te would be welcomed by Taipei, though any initiative depends entirely on...

Shangri-La Dialogue 2026 to Focus on Iran War, Taiwan Tensions and U.S. Role in Asia

The ongoing war in Iran, growing tensions over Taiwan, and concerns about U.S. military commitments in Asia are expected to dominate discussions at the 2026 Shangri-La Dialogue, Asias leading defence and security forum...

U.S.-Iran Talks Advance as Trump Signals Tough Stance on Hormuz and Nuclear Deal

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday that Washington would either secure a good agreement with Iran or address the situation through another way, as negotiations between the two countries continue amid ongoing...

Turkey Opposition Crisis Deepens as Police Storm CHP Headquarters

Turkeys political tensions escalated sharply after riot police forced their way into the headquarters of the main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP) in Ankara, intensifying concerns over the future of Turkish...

Russia Launches Massive Missile and Drone Assault on Kyiv, Killing Civilians and Damaging Historic Sites

Russia carried out one of its largest attacks on Kyiv and nearby regions since the war began, launching hundreds of drones and missiles, including the nuclear-capable Oreshnik hypersonic missile. The overnight assault...

Science

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...

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...

Technology

Macquarie Names Five Taiwan AI Stocks Set to Benefit From Data Center Growth in 2026

Macquarie has highlighted five major Taiwanese electronics stocks that it believes are well positioned to benefit from rising artificial intelligence infrastructure spending, data center upgrades, and next-generation...

Meta AI Push Could Add $26 Billion in Revenue by 2027, Wolfe Research Says

Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) is projected to generate more than $26 billion in additional revenue by 2027 through artificial intelligence products, subscription services, and new advertising tools, according to a recent...

SpaceX Starship V3 Test Flight Boosts IPO Momentum Ahead of Historic Market Debut

SpaceX successfully completed a major test flight of its upgraded Starship V3 rocket, marking a significant achievement for Elon Musks aerospace company as it moves closer to a highly anticipated initial public offering....

PDG Explores $1 Billion Sale of China Data Center Assets

Princeton Digital Group (PDG), a major data center operator backed by private equity firm Warburg Pincus, has reportedly launched a sale process for its China-based assets that could be valued at as much as $1 billion,...

Lam Research Expands AI-Powered Semiconductor Tools and Arizona Operations

Lam Research is accelerating its investment in artificial intelligence and advanced sensing technology to improve semiconductor manufacturing efficiency while expanding its presence in Arizona and California. The...