“I’ve never seen a prime minister brag about not sleeping.” - Japan's Mainichi Shimbun reports on Takaichi Sanae's strange post announcing that she is operating on 0-3 hours of sleep many nights. It's a dangerously low level of sleep that could impair judgement. mainichi.jp/articles/202...

I was interviewed for this article about Japan's Lower House approving a bill that will ban desecration of the national flag: www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/06...

Japanese People Don't Trust Trump: A new Pew Research poll has found that only 25% of Japanese people trust that President Donald Trump will do the right thing regarding world affairs. Only 11% of Japanese trust Benjamin Netanyahu and 7% trust Xi & Putin. www.pewresearch.org/global/2026/...

How do views of Trump compare with other global leaders?

Of the six leaders asked about, only Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu ranks below President Donald Trump in confidence.

pewresearch.org

The first twenty minutes of the second episode of the NewsPicks J-Context podcast is now available on Youtube! www.youtube.com/watch?v=Udmx...

アメリカメディアの救世主になるか…勢いを増す新興メディアとは？Jeffrey J. Hall【英語で時事問題が学べるコンテンツ J CONTEXT】

YouTube video by NewsPicks /ニューズピックス

youtube.com

Jeffrey J. Hall@mrjeffu.bsky.social · 2mo ago

I have started co-hosting a podcast for Japanese media outlet NewsPicks: Here is a link to the first twenty minutes of the first episode, in which we discuss Takaichi's diplomacy. (Newspicks is a paid service, so only the preview clip is free.) www.youtube.com/watch?v=skuA...

I appeared on Australia's ABC News today to talk about Japan hiking entry fees for tourist visas, and how it might impact people from certain countries more than others: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNwj...

Japan to hike entry visa fees - what does it mean for your holiday? | The World | ABC NEWS

YouTube video by ABC News (Australia)

youtube.com

I have started co-hosting a podcast for Japanese media outlet NewsPicks: Here is a link to the first twenty minutes of the first episode, in which we discuss Takaichi's diplomacy. (Newspicks is a paid service, so only the preview clip is free.) www.youtube.com/watch?v=skuA...

アメリカ人日本専門家 Jeffery J. Hallが高市政権、日本政治、社会、トランプ政権に切り込む【新番組 J CONTEXT スタート】

YouTube video by NewsPicks /ニューズピックス

youtube.com

I randomly flipped through a "Florida Place Names" book at a Japanese library today and learned the horrible story of "Hongry Land."

Japan's Mire Biscuits has halted production of some of its products due to the impact of a naphtha shortage caused by the Iran War. It hasn't been able to get enough packaging materials. The Takaichi administration has told the nation there is no naphtha supply shortage. www.47news.jp/14294317.html

Japan is experiencing shortages of petroleum-based materials: •"The effects are already being felt across a wide range of everyday goods, including food products" •There is a "gap" between the PM Takaichi's claims that there are no shortages & the actual situation. www.47news.jp/14289309.html

A look at the Twitter account of the person who claimed responsibility for yesterday's Shibuya scramble crossing fire reveals past posts in which he enthusiastically supported the far-right Sanseito party. He also appeared to have positive views of Prime Minister Takaichi.

Jeffrey J. Hall@mrjeffu.bsky.social · 4mo ago

The website promoted by the Shibuya arsonist reveals him to be a far-right conspiracy theorist, obsessed with the idea that Zainichi Koreans have taken over Japan with the help of the "deep state." In 2025 he wrote a letter asking Elon Musk and Trump for help.

The Japanese conspiracy theorist who set a fire in Shibuya scramble crossing was a follower of the Lotus Eaters, a right-wing English language podcast hosted by Carl Benjamin (Sargon of Akkad). Prior to the crime, he left a message notifying them to take note of his actions.

Jeffrey J. Hall@mrjeffu.bsky.social · 4mo ago

The website promoted by the Shibuya arsonist reveals him to be a far-right conspiracy theorist, obsessed with the idea that Zainichi Koreans have taken over Japan with the help of the "deep state." In 2025 he wrote a letter asking Elon Musk and Trump for help.

The website promoted by the Shibuya arsonist reveals him to be a far-right conspiracy theorist, obsessed with the idea that Zainichi Koreans have taken over Japan with the help of the "deep state." In 2025 he wrote a letter asking Elon Musk and Trump for help.

Dexerto@dexerto.bsky.social · 4mo ago

A man has been apprehended after starting a fire at Shibuya Scramble Crossing – the busiest pedestrian intersection in the world He reportedly turned himself in after starting the blaze

I am quoted in this new article from the FCCJ's Number 1 Shimbun: Sanae Takaichi’s preference for populist messaging has left Japan’s mainstream media struggling to respond www.fccj.or.jp/number-1-shi...

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi is heading to Washington to meet Trump. The visit was set up before the US and Israel launched a war against Iran. She now faces a difficult situation, with Trump using quotation marks to question if "allies" will secure the Straight of Hormuz.

In October Prime Minister Takaichi's declared she would throw away work-life balance and "work, work, work." It became Japan's buzzword of the year for 2025. The media is reporting she had to cancel a diplomatic meeting yesterday because she was "sleep-deprived." news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/0e1...

I spoke to India's Firstpost TV about Takaichi's election victory and the outlook for her relations with China and the United States: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7i7F...

Japan PM Sanae Takaichi Wins Snap Elections, Modi, Trump & Meloni Extend Wishes | Firstpost Live

YouTube video by Firstpost

youtube.com

I was interviewed by Time Magazine about Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi's big election victory. A lot of LDP politicians, including former Abe faction members who lost their seats in 2024, will be grateful to her and look to her leadership. time.com/7372956/japa...

Japan’s Takaichi Wins Big in Snap Election: What to Know

The conservative Prime Minister’s gamble seems to have paid off.

time.com

I was interviewed by the Telegraph for their coverage of Takaichi's election victory: "Japan puts faith in first female prime minister" www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...

The LDP politician who called Abe a "traitor" and publicly rated Takaichi a 2/10 has won a seat in the Diet. Takaichi punished him by placing him at a low position on the LDP's proportional representation list, but the party got enough votes for him to win anyway. news.yahoo.co.jp/pickup/6569167

Former LDP lawmaker Sugita Mio, who is infamous for her use of hate speech against Koreans & Ainu, failed to win a seat in Osaka's 5th district. Prime Minister Takaichi didn't visit Osaka to campaign for LDP candidates(possibly to avoid friction with the Ishin party).

NHK's map of election district results shows LDP red making major gains across the country. Osaka, the home of the LDP's coalition partner, the Ishin Party, remains Ishin territory. 30 minutes after the polls have closed, they haven't called a single district for the Centrist Reform Alliance.

Re-upping this because I think it still holds…Takaichi and her supporters might think they have a stronger hand on China after their election win, but the structural constraints of a tight budget, wobbly ally in DC, and voters demanding action on the economy are still very much in place

Paul Nadeau@pauljnadeau.bsky.social · 6mo ago

My piece in Nikkei Asia on how Takaichi's stance against China's coercion has made her popular, but her ability to push back will be constrained by a public that wants her to focus on the economy, a budget that's coming under greater pressure, and a security ally who may not be there to help:

Takaichi successfully convinced voters to ignore unresolved scandals and cast their votes for LDP candidates. The LDP will likely win a 300+ seat majority. The opposition CRA is going to lose over a hundred seats. The far-right Sanseito continues to grow, more than doubling its seats.

I made a brief appearance on DW News today to talk about tomorrow's snap election in Japan: www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjha...

Voters in Japan prepare for snap election: What's at stake | DW News

YouTube video by DW News

youtube.com

My comments on Japan's election appear in this piece from the Sydney Morning Herald: 「‘Not from central casting’: Japan’s unconventional leader puts it all on the line」 www.smh.com.au/world/asia/n...

‘Not from central casting’: Japan’s unconventional leader puts it all on the line

Sanae Takaichi is banking on a snap election to give her the mandate to run the country the way she wants to.

smh.com.au

I was interviewed by BBC News for this article about tomorrow's election in Japan: "Will Sunday's snap election gamble pay off for Japan's first female premier?" www.bbc.com/news/article...

Will Sunday's snap election gamble pay off for Japan's first female premier?

Sanae Takaichi is popular - but inflation and a diplomatic row with China weigh on voters' minds.

bbc.com

Sharing for a friend: "Spot was a beloved puppy who brought so much joy to everyone around him. Sadly, he passed away after a brave fight against cancer. Let’s honor his memory by supporting the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, where he found love."

Donate to Memorial for Spot, organized by Rebecca Li

On Jan.30, 2026, Mr. Spot, the beloved puppy of Jingyi and Joseph, crossed the rainbow bridge peacefully,… Rebecca Li needs your support for Memorial for Spot

gofund.me

The Japanese Communist Party shared this video telling voters what it stands for: •a society in which people get fair pay and healthcare •freedom, equality, and no unfair discrimination •taxing the ultra wealthy

Just got a robocall from Kyodo News to participate in a poll on the upcoming Lower House election, so here's what that survey looks like @tobiasharris.bsky.social @mrjeffu.bsky.social. Shockingly no 'I'm a foreigner and not eligible to vote' option, also Q3/4 autopopulate when you add zip code.

Japan's National Doujinshi Convention Liaison Council is cooperating with the Japanese government to encourage young people to vote. Millions of people read doujinshi (fan comics) each year in Japan, but youth voter turnout is usually quite low. www.lets-go-senkyo.jp