Damage to Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has reignited debate over the safety of nuclear power and highlighted questions over aging power plants, safety procedures, and waste disposal.

Japan is undergoing profound changes that are empowering its political leadership at the expense of its bureaucracy.

Scott Snyder reviews Getting the Triangle Straight: Managing China-Japan-U.S. Relations, edited by Gerald Curtis, Ryosei Kokubun, and Wang Jisi.

The Japanese Ministry of Defense released the 2011 issue of this annual white paper on defense in September 2011. The report covers Japan's surrounding security environment, Japan's defense policy and and build-up of defense capability, and measures for Japan's defense.

The thirteenth Geneva Report on the World Economy addresses fiscal consolidation policy.

Sheila A. Smith says Yoshihiko Noda will need to stitch together a frayed party and a fractured public to lead Japan — and stay in power.

Yoshihiko Noda, set to become Japan's prime minister, could be a reassuring presence amid economic and political turmoil, but it's not clear what energy he will have for global affairs, writes CFR's Sheila Smith.

CFR's Director of Studies James Lindsay and CFR.org Editor Robert McMahon preview major world events in the week ahead.

In this week's podcast: the United Nations discusses operations in Libya; Republican presidential candidates react to the news from Tripoli; Japan’s governing party picks a new prime minister.

Jerome A. Cohen and Mizuki Koshimoto ask, "Has Japan found the best way for ordinary citizens to take part in criminal cases?"

Duke Energy's Chairman, President, and CEO Jim Rogers discusses the future of energy in the United States with CFR's Senior Fellow for Energy and the Environment, Michael Levi.

Sheila A. Smith says the disasters in Japan must be seen as a catalyst not only for building a stronger Japan but for building stronger systems of regional and global cooperation.

Robert Dujarric and Peter M. Beck say the queen of England's trip to the Irish Republic should persuade the Japanese government to accept South Korea's invitation to allow the emperor to pay a visit.

Peter M. Beck argues that the initiative to form a Korea-Japan alliance will have to come from Seoul, given that Tokyo is preoccupied with recovering from the earthquake.

Speech

Matthew Fuhrmann shows that aside from Chernobyl and TMI, nuclear accidents generally have not deterred countries from building additional plants.

Masaaki Shirakawa, governor of the Bank of Japan, discusses the effects the March earthquake, tsunami, and events surrounding the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant had on the Japanese economy, as well as the resilience and adaptability of the Japanese people.

Masaaki Shirakawa, governor of the Bank of Japan, discusses the effects the March earthquake, tsunami, and events surrounding the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant had on the Japanese economy, as well as the resilience and adaptability of the Japanese people.

Masaaki Shirakawa, governor of the Bank of Japan, discusses the effects the March earthquake, tsunami, and events surrounding the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant had on the Japanese economy, as well as the resilience and adaptability of the Japanese people.

This meeting was part of the C. Peter McColough Series on International Economics.

Japan's ability to rebound from its triple disaster in March will require more than just rebuilding; it will demand restructuring in areas from energy and farm policy to decentralization of power, write Brian P. Klein and CFR's David S. Abraham.

This issue guide provides a range of background and analysis on Japan's earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear crisis.