By Michael Green & Nicholas Szechyeni — Today Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan won a third term as president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and is on track to remain in power for another three years. Abe…
Shinzo Abe Rolls On
The “Young Generation”: Understanding China’s New Consumer Powerhouse
By Julia Wieczorek — A new generation of consumers is an emerging force driving market trends in China. Chinese consumers born between 1980 and 2010, known as the “young generation,” purchased $1.5 trillion worth of goods in 2016, a sharp…
The Ledger on the Third Inter-Korean Summit
By Victor Cha, Sue Mi Terry, and Michael Green — The third inter-Korean summit is taking place this week from September 18 to 20 in Pyongyang, North Korea. The two leaders, President Moon Jae-in of South Korea and Chairman Kim…
Update on India’s States: September 19, 2018
The Tamil Nadu state government released its Information Communication Technology Policy 2018; Karnataka’s 2,400 MW Kudgi project became fully operational; the Kerala tourism department announced a 12-point action plan to revive the state’s tourism sector after devastating floods and a…
Podcast: The Impossible State – Strategizing Engagement
In our latest Impossible State podcast, David Kang, director of the Korean Studies Institute at the University of Southern California, joins guest host Victor Cha of CSIS to discuss the second edition of their book, Nuclear North Korea: A Debate…
Update on India’s States: September 12, 2018
Karnataka emerged as the top state in the country for power generation in the in the renewable energy sector, generating 12,169 MW from renewable energy products; Tamil Nadu announced its first solid waste management policy and strategy, implementing the Solid…
Institute a Mandatory 30-Day Notice & Comment Period for Proposed Regulation in India
By Richard M. Rossow — Status: In Progress – A February 2014 note from the Ministry of Law & Justice called on regulators and government agencies to adopt a 30-day notification period. But it is not being honored. Difficulty: Medium…
Update on India’s States: September 6, 2018
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the India Post Payments Bank; President Ram Nath Kovind approved two land amendment bills in Gujarat; a rooftop solar tender in Madhya Pradesh received India’s lowest bid of $0.02 per kilowatt-hour; Assam extended the application…
How Sinophobia Blocked a $485 Million Rail Project in Mongolia
By Maria Krol Sinclair — Mongolia’s election of President Khaltmaagiin Battulga, who gained political prominence for stirring up fear of Chinese influence in Mongolia, is the latest development in a historically fractured Sino-Mongolian relationship. Fear of Chinese investment and intervention…
CogitAsia Podcast: Unpacking Congress’s Role in Asia Policy & the 2019 NDAA
In this episode, we review the Asia-related sections of the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, and explore Congress’s role in framing U.S. policy toward Asia. Returning to the podcast to unpack these topics are Dr. Michael Green, Japan…
India Should Allow More than 50 Percent Foreign Investment in Defense
By Aman Y. Thakker — Status: In Progress- Amended in 2016 to allow 49 percent FDI; 100 percent FDI allowed based on government approval for cases where FDI “is likely to result in access to modern technology.” Difficulty: Medium- Requires…
Key Reform for India: Allow More than 50 Percent Foreign Investment in Insurance
By Richard M. Rossow — Status: In Progress– Amended in 2015 to allow 49 percent FDI; still below majority, and foreign firms lost ability to have management Difficulty: High– Requires legislative amendment. Strong opposition from government-owned insurers, insurance unions, some…
Update on India’s States: August 29, 2018
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy begins inter-state transfers of wind power from wind-rich states to wind-deficient states; the Karnataka state cabinet approves two key debt relief measures for farmers in the state; Indian Oil Corporation announces it will…