Despite a recent spate of North Korean missile tests, Japan’s larger concerns have mainly focused on activities taking place to the south of the country — specifically, those involving China and Taiwan.

This week on Deep Dive from The Japan Times we speak with senior staff writer Jesse Johnson about Japan’s new alliance with Australia, the recent increase in defense spending and, of course, North Korea. Afterward, staff writer Gabriel Dominguez discusses in more detail the recent Communist Party congress and how it is likely to affect Asia as a whole.   

Read More:
Spate of launches raises prospect of North Korean missile with multiple nuclear warheads (Jesse Johnson, The Japan Times)
Taiwan and looming security crises bring Japan and Australia closer together (Jesse Johnson, The Japan Times)
More ‘red,’ more capable and focused on Taiwan: Xi cements his grip on PLA (Gabriel Dominguez, The Japan Times)
Concerns over China bringing Japan and Australia’s relations ever closer (Gabriel Dominguez, The Japan Times)
What would be the signs China is preparing to invade Taiwan? (Gabriel Dominguez, The Japan Times)

On this episode: 
Jesse Johnson: Articles | Twitter
Gabriel Dominguez: Articles | Twitter
Shaun McKenna: Articles | Twitter | Instagram

Announcements: Get in touch with Shaun and the show at deepdive@japantimes.co.jp. If you like what you’ve heard, then please support the show by rating, reviewing and sharing this episode with someone you know. Follow us on Twitter!

Photo: In his congress address, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned China to be prepared for “strong waters, high waves and dangerous storms.” Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada said something similar in an interview this summer. | GETTY IMAGES