View All Analysis | Jan. 12, 2021, 12:48 p.m.

Browse our analysis section for news and articles on topics such as China's Belt and Road Initiative (OBOR), the world's evolving digital infrastructure competition, and the stakes for U.S. policy.

Japan Diversifies Supply Chains | April 16, 2020, 9:45 a.m.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, several countries are reassessing supply chains dominated by China, including Japan, where Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has pushed companies to diversify, Nikkei reports.

Japan Seeks Balanced China Policy | Feb. 12, 2020, 9:25 a.m.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has crafted a China policy that mixes caution with engagement, for example, expanding the U.S.-Japan security alliance while also jointly funding Belt and Road projects, Nikkei reports.

India, U.S., Japan Talk Infrastructure | June 28, 2019, 9:12 a.m.

On the sidelines of the Group of 20 Summit in Osaka, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a trilateral meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to discuss areas for cooperation on connectivity and infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific, Nikkei reports.

Xi, Abe Talk Infrastructure Cooperation | June 27, 2019, 9:07 a.m.

Duterte Nets $6B in Tokyo | June 11, 2019, 9:12 a.m.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte visited Japan last month, his third visit in less than three years. In Tokyo, Duterte collected close to $6 billion in bilateral investment deals, including infrastructure, reports the Nikkei Asian Review.

Italy Commits to Japan's Infrastructure Principles | April 25, 2019, 9:13 a.m.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Italian PM Giuseppe Conte agreed to uphold Japan's four conditions for high-quality infrastructure during a bilateral summit in Rome. Italy recently signed on to China's Belt and Road Initiative, sparking concerns the country would fall prey to "debt-trap diplomacy," reports Nikkei.

Abe offers Eastern Europe BRI Alternative | April 18, 2019, 9:10 a.m.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit Slovakia later this month, where he plans to offer Eastern European leaders Japanese-financed infrastructure investments. Abe is expected to raise concerns about China's so-called debt-trap diplomacy, presenting Japan's approach as an alternative to the Belt and Road Initiative, reports Nikkei.

Japan-EU Agreement Sets Precedent for Digital Rules | Feb. 4, 2019, 11:59 a.m.

Taking effect Friday, The economic partnership agreement between Japan and the European Union incorporates wide-ranging regulations on data transfer and intellectual property protection. The trade deal could help establish precedent for the digital field, Nikkei reports.

Japan To Build "Smart Cities" in ASEAN Nations | Jan. 3, 2019, 9:18 a.m.

In an effort to provide an alternative to China's Belt and Road Initiative, Japan will help build "smart cities" across Southeast Asia, using artificial intelligence and networked devices to tackle problems like road congestion and energy conservation, reports the Nikkei Asian Review.

Abe, Modi Seek Infrastructure Cooperation | Oct. 30, 2018, 9:05 a.m.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Indian counterpart Narendra Modi agreed to collaborate on infrastructure, such as port and road projects in third countries like Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.

Xi, Abe to Cooperate on Infrastructure | Oct. 29, 2018, 9:13 a.m.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to accelerate cooperation on overseas infrastructure projects and finance as a symbol of their revamped ties.

Japan To Partner With China | Oct. 24, 2018, 9:17 a.m.

Japan plans to stop offering development aid to China after nearly 40 years, seeking instead to establish a framework for the two countries to cooperate as equal partners on infrastructure and other projects in developing countries.

Japan To Expand Cheap Infrastructure Loans | Oct. 19, 2018, 9:54 a.m.

Japan drafted a plan to offer greater assistance for infrastructure development overseas ahead of a key summit with China next week, as it prepares to pursue joint projects with Beijing in third countries, reports the Nikkei Asian Review.

Xi, Abe to Talk Infrastructure at Summit | Sept. 13, 2018, 11:50 a.m.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia this week. Both leaders decided to further pursue collaboration on infrastructure projects during Abe’s visit to Beijing next month, the first bilateral visit by a Japanese Prime Minister to China since 2011.

Japan, China to Cooperate on Infrastructure | Sept. 4, 2018, 9:10 a.m.

Japan and China are moving ahead with plans to cooperate on overseas infrastructure projects, with a public-private committee scheduled to hold its first meeting in Beijing.

Uncertainty for Japan's Nuclear Infrastructure Export Ambitions | April 26, 2018, 12:05 p.m.

Japan's infrastructure export ambitions face an uncertain future following a move by Japanese trading house Itochu to pull funding for the construction of a nuclear power plant in Turkey. Itochu's departure was driven by a sharp increase in safety-related costs following the Fukushima nuclear disaster, which caused the estimated total project cost to balloon from two to five trillion yen.

Abe Seeks Economic Stimulus From Infrastructure | Feb. 21, 2018, 9:11 a.m.

As Japan looks past the anticipated economic boost from the 2020 Olympic games in Tokyo, Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe is turning to infrastructure investment to buoy fiscal stimulus and economic growth beyond 2020.

Widodo Woos Japan on Infrastructure | Feb. 14, 2018, 8:53 a.m.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo is working to strengthen ties with Japan in hopes of speeding infrastructure construction projects and showing progress ahead of the 2019 presidential election.

Abe's Russia Trip to Push Infrastructure | Feb. 5, 2018, 10:12 a.m.

The Japanese government has compiled infrastructure development scheme proposals for Vladivostok ahead of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's scheduled visit to Russia in May, Nikkei reports.

Abe Urges Infrastructure Cooperation with China | Jan. 22, 2018, 10:53 a.m.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says Japan will cooperate with China to meet growing demand for infrastructure development in Asia.

Boosting Infrastructure is Key to Abenomics | Dec. 1, 2017, 10:44 a.m.

Shinzo Abe's reformulation of Abenomics emphasizes the need to raise Japan's infrastructure industry.

Japan Offers Dollar-Denominated Loans for Infrastructure | Nov. 20, 2017, 9:45 a.m.

Tokyo eyes increased infrastructure exports by catering to borrowers' needs.

Abe, Li Discuss Bilateral Cooperation and BRI | Nov. 17, 2017, 9:14 a.m.

Japan and China have committed to improving bilateral relations and advancing discussions on regional peace and prosperity, including China's Belt and Road Initiative.

Abe Pledges $9B in Philippines Infrastructure Aid | Nov. 2, 2017, 11:39 a.m.

Shinzo Abe has pledged to deliver nearly $9 billion in aid to the Philippines to rebuild battle-damaged areas and improve infrastructure throughout the country.

Japan Pledges $9B to Philippines | Oct. 30, 2017, 9:54 a.m.

Wary of China, Japan seeks to strengthen ties with Philippines.

Asia’s Competing Visions | Sept. 27, 2017, 12:21 p.m.

Earlier this month, the leaders of Japan and India paused to lay the foundation stone for a high-speed railway. The new link illustrates the high-stakes competition underway to connect the Eurasian supercontinent. China has stolen the spotlight, but other regional powers are not standing still.

Abe and Modi Launch India's First High Speed Rail Project | Sept. 14, 2017, 9:42 a.m.

Abe Arrives in India | Sept. 13, 2017, 8:53 a.m.

Failing to Bridge the Divide in Russia-Japan Relations | Aug. 28, 2017, 9:31 a.m.

Putin and Abe will meet at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on September 6-7, but several obstacles are likely to prevent a major breakthrough in infrastructure cooperation.

India Expands Infrastructure Role for Japan | Aug. 9, 2017, 8:32 a.m.

India has agreed to "explore and expand" Japan's role in developing the infrastructure of its Northeastern region bordering China, Myanmar, and Bangladesh as part of their "special strategic and global partnership."

Japan Remains Cautious on China's Belt & Road | July 10, 2017, 8:25 a.m.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has indicated that Japan may be willing to cooperate with China on its key foreign policy strategy, the Belt and Road Initiative, under certain conditions to foster closer economic ties.

Quoted: Xi and Abe on Infrastructure | July 6, 2017, 5:45 p.m.

Quotes and Quotas is a weekly digest of phrases and facts that help explain Asia’s infrastructure push.