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Articles by Ra Mason
Okinawa: Great Power Competition and the Keystone of the Pacific
This thought-provoking book dives deep into the complex politics of the Okinawa Islands, a Japanese possession on the frontlines of one of the world’s geostrategic hotspots. Mason explores internal Japanese debates about the U.S. military presence in Okinawa, such as how to weigh the economic benefits of a military base against its environmental impacts, and about the island chain’s role in larger regional security dynamics.
Opinion - The Chagos Islands and the Triumph of Great Power Politics over Human Rights
The Chagos Archipelago is a remote, mostly uninhabited, group of approximately 60 atolls scattered across the Indian Ocean. The largest of these, Diego Garcia, is home to one of the most secretive and strategically significant US military bases in the entire Indo-Pacific region. The base and the islands have a notorious past. After being settled by the French in the 18th Century, this highly dispersed group of islets was ceded to the British in 1810.
Opinion – The Chagos Islands and the Triumph of Great Power Politics over Human Rights - Ra Mason And Suzanne Doyle
The Chagos Archipelago is a remote, mostly uninhabited, group of approximately 60 atolls scattered across the Indian Ocean. The largest of these, Diego Garcia, is home to one of the most secretive and strategically significant US military bases in the entire Indo-Pacific region. The base and the islands have a notorious past. After being settled by the French in the 18th Century, this highly dispersed group of islets was ceded to the British in 1810.
Kim Jong-un sends North Korean troops to fight in Ukraine - here’s what this means for the war
It is still unclear how many North Korean soldiers will find their way onto the killing fields of eastern Ukraine. What is clear is that the drive to recruit fighting forces from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is at least in part politically motivated. But is it also a tactical masterstroke that will boost the Russian war machine’s chances of a definitive victory? The political aspect appears straightforward.
The Effects of Wars: Lessons from Ukraine
The devastating war in Ukraine has transformed our understanding of military combat and international politics in the 21st Century. Until now, analyses of the effects of wars – including this one – have tended to be compartmentalised by sub-disciplines. These include International Relations (IR), Security Studies, International Political Economy (IPE), History, Historical Sociology, Public Administration and Psychology, among many others.
The Effects of Wars: Lessons from Ukraine - Ra Mason
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Commentary: Japan's militarisation gets a boost from Ukraine war despite pacifist constitution
Commentary Japan, like Germany, is massively increasing military spending in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. With United States seemingly overstretched, Tokyo’s move to strengthen its military could be a concern, says this international relations lecturer. 17 May 2022 06:05AM (Updated: 17 May 2022 06:05AM) NORWICH, England; Japan is proposing to double its defence budget to around £86 billion (US$105 billion), or 2 per cent of its gross domestic product.
Japan's doubling of its defence budget will make the world a more dangerous place – here's why
Japan is proposing to double its defence budget to around £86 billion, or 2% of its GDP. This move – like recent pledges by Germany to massively increase its military spending in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – brings the country full circle since it was militarily neutered following defeat in the second world war.
pressure from populist right to scrap 'peace constitution' after 75 years
The relative success of the populist right-wing Japan Innovation Party (Nippon Ishin no Kai or JIP), which increased its vote to emerge as the third-largest party in the recent elections, has paved the way for the country to revise its 75-year-old Peace Constitution. This constitution, which was drafted by US occupying forces under General Douglas MacArthur in 1946, bars the country from officially maintaining armed forces. The constitution’s key clause is Article 9.
U.S., Japan need fresh approach to alliance
March 12 (UPI) -- When Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States, global reaction was overwhelmingly positive -- and, in some parts of the world, bordering on the euphoric. In recent addresses, Biden has asserted that "American alliances are our greatest asset" and pledged to maintain the so-called "quad" of the United States, India, Australia and Japan to counter Chinese hegemony in the Asia-Pacific region.
US-Japan relations: why two new leaders need a fresh approach to the alliance in the Asia-Pacific
When Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States, global reaction was overwhelmingly positive – and, in some parts of the world, bordering on the euphoric. In recent addresses, Biden has asserted that “American alliances are our greatest asset” and pledged to maintain the so-called “Quad” of the US, India, Australia and Japan to counter Chinese hegemony in the Asia-Pacific region.
Japan’s capricious response to coronavirus could dent its international reputation.
Dr Ra Mason .02 May 2020 4 min read . Analysis, Asia, Coronavirus, Covid-19, Crisis Management, Japan, Shinzo Abe, Tokyo 2020 An erratic response to coronavirus shows how Japan’s domestic policy is out-of-sync with its desired global image. First published in May 2020. The Japanese government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic has been reactive, chaotic and lacking in clear leadership. Japan has effectively lost control of its attempts to isolate all suspected cases.
Japan's capricious response to coronavirus could dent its international reputation
The Japanese government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic has been reactive, chaotic and lacking in clear leadership. Japan has effectively lost control of its attempts to isolate all suspected cases. A full nationwide state of emergency was only declared on April 16, after cases rapidly expanded outside central metropolitan areas. The national emergency gave prefectures the powers to impose their own lockdown measures, but these are partial and not enforceable by law.
Shinzo Abe's latest cabinet reshuffle could transform Japan
With just two years until he will likely step down, the time left to Shinzo Abe, Japan’s very soon-to-be longest serving postwar prime minister, is limited. But if his latest cabinet reshuffle is anything to go by, it seems Abe is bent on realising his goal of historic constitutional reform – whether as sitting premier or by laying the groundwork for a successor to complete. At the heart of Abe’s planned reforms is a desire to “normalise” Japan’s military forces.
Shinzo Abe's latest cabinet reshuffle could transform Japan
With just two years until he will likely step down, the time left to Shinzo Abe, Japan’s very soon-to-be longest serving postwar prime minister, is limited. But if his latest cabinet reshuffle is anything to go by, it seems Abe is bent on realising his goal of historic constitutional reform – whether as sitting premier or by laying the groundwork for a successor to complete. At the heart of Abe’s planned reforms is a desire to “normalise” Japan’s military forces.
Profile: Japan's controversial, shrewd and ambitious Shinzo Abe
As campaigns in a snap election, he looks set to enter into an unprecedented third term in office, and become Japan’s longest serving postwar prime minister. So who is he? What is the secret to his success? And why is he both so fervently supported an – and intensely hated? Even before he became prime minister, was notorious for his family links to a suspected war criminal, Kishi Nobusuke, and for his dubious connections with groups on Japan’s political far right.
Commentary: Japan’s controversial, shrewd and ambitious Shinzo Abe
How did a man once suspected of dubious far-right sympathies end up on the threshold of a record third term? An expert in Japanese foreign policy from the University of East Anglia explores. NORWICH: As Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe campaigns in a snap election, he looks set to enter into an unprecedented third term in office, and become Japan’s longest serving postwar prime minister. So who is he? What is the secret to his success?
Japan's controversial, shrewd and ambitious Shinzo Abe
As Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe campaigns in a snap election, he looks set to enter into an unprecedented third term in office, and become Japan’s longest serving postwar prime minister. So who is he? What is the secret to his success? And why is he both so fervently supported an – and intensely hated?
Why North Korea doesn't really want a war - Macleans.ca
This piece first appeared at The current flare-up over North Korea’s missile tests and Donald Trump’s belligerent response is frightening for many, but anyone worried that Pyongyang wants to start a war is – fortunately – mistaken. For all its fighting talk, missile tests, and mooted plans for an attack on the US’s Pacific territory of Guam, North Korea is all bluster and little bite.
North Korea doesn't want a nuclear war - this is what Kim Jong-un really wants
For all its fighting talk, missile tests, and mooted plans for an attack on the US's Pacific territory of Guam, North Korea is all bluster and little bite. And while most Western audiences are well aware that an attack by Pyongyang on South Korea, Japan or the US would be suicidal, what they often miss is that North Korea wouldn't actually be able to go to war with one of its rivals – even if it wanted to.
Is nuclear war with North Korea possible?
The current flare-up over North Korea’s missile tests and Donald Trump’s belligerent response is frightening for many, but anyone worried that Pyongyang wants to start a war is—fortunately—mistaken. For all its fighting talk, missile tests, and mooted plans for an attack on the US’s Pacific territory of Guam, North Korea is all bluster and little bite.
North Korea knows it can't afford to go to war
The current flare-up over North Korea’s missile tests and Donald Trump’s belligerent response is frightening for many, but anyone worried that wants to start a is – fortunately – mistaken. For all its fighting talk, missile tests, and mooted plans for an attack on the US’s Pacific territory of Guam, North Korea is all bluster and little bite.
A Museum Tried To Shame A Mom For Breastfeeding. Yep, It Totally Backfired
Head to any world-class art museum, and you’ll see plenty of statues from the age of antiquity. The figures, especially the Greek ones, tend to be either scantily clothed or completely naked — marble breasts bared for all the world to see. But if you’re a woman visiting a museum with a hungry baby that needs to be fed from your flesh and blood human breasts, you might be shamed by an employee for doing so.
The Internet Has Fallen In Love With This Irresistible One-Armed Woman And Her Hilarious Tinder Profile
Over a year ago, Lauren, a 21-year-old from San Diego lost her arm in a moped accident. “[I was] going way too fast and I lost control, and my wheel swung into the median and I flew off and hit a street sign that sliced my arm clean off,” she told BuzzFeed. Miraculously, an off-duty police officer was at the scene of the accident and applied a tourniquet, which saved Lauren from bleeding out. Losing a limb was devastating for Lauren, but she learned how to cope with it through humor.
The Case For Staying Calm About North Korea
The current flare-up over North Korea’s missile tests and Donald Trump’s belligerent response is frightening for many, but anyone worried that Pyongyang wants to start a war is – fortunately – mistaken. For all its fighting talk, missile tests, and mooted plans for an attack on the U.S.’s Pacific territory of Guam, North Korea is all bluster and little bite.
North Korea knows it can't afford to go to war
The current flare-up over North Korea’s missile tests and Donald Trump’s belligerent response is frightening for many, but anyone worried that Pyongyang wants to start a war is – fortunately – mistaken. For all its fighting talk, missile tests, and mooted plans for an attack on the US’s Pacific territory of Guam, North Korea is all bluster and little bite.
Row over military bases on Okinawa spells trouble for US-Japan relations
The beautiful subtropical island chain of Okinawa is officially Japan’s 47th prefecture, but it’s also home to thousands of US marines. Many are stationed at Futenma Airbase, which some have called “the world’s most dangerous [military] base” for its location in the middle of a city. Debates over the future of the base have been rumbling for decades but, despite the decision to relocate the facility, decisive action to resolve the situation is so far not forthcoming.
Why a row over military bases on Okinawa spells trouble for US-Japan relations
The beautiful subtropical island chain of Okinawa is officially Japan’s 47th prefecture, but it’s also home to thousands of US marines. Many are stationed at Futenma Airbase, which some have called “the world’s most dangerous [military] base” for its location in the middle of a city. Debates over the future of the base have been rumbling for decades but, despite the decision to relocate the facility, decisive action to resolve the situation is so far not forthcoming.
Japan and South Korea's latest row could have deeper consequences
Japan and South Korea have reopened an old spat over wartime sexual slavery, or so-called Comfort Women. The latest flare-up began when a bronze statue of a girl representing former comfort women was installed in front of the Japanese consulate in the South Korean city of Busan. It’s triggered an unnecessary, unwanted fiasco that shows no sign of going away.
Japan's change in military outlook marks the end of a 'Peace State'
Thanks to the constitution imposed on its citizens by the US after the end of World War II, Japan has long been thought of by pacifists as a “Peace State”. Article 9 of the constitution states that: It goes on to state that “land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained. The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized”.
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