Deputy Head Asia Division @SWP_Asia, Japan foreign and security policy, Indo-Pacific security, German Institute for International and Security Affairs, 金髪の榊
Berlin
Joined October 2019
- Tweets183
- Following403
- Followers518
- Likes149
Pinned Tweet
My SWP comment on the state of #Japan-#China relations is out. I contextualize the current bilateral tensions that followed PM Takaichi's comments on a Taiwan contingency by taking a broader perspective of the relationship:
⤵️👀
swp-berlin.org/en/publicatio…
We had inspiring discussions today about current geopolitical upheaval and the role of Japan-Europe cooperation at the Third Baltic Indo-Pacific Forum.
Thanks to Bart Gaens and @@ICDS_Tallinn (ICDS) for organizing this important event.
Great-Power Rivalry in the Indo-Pacific and Middle-Power Strategies–Perspectives from Europe and Japan
- Masataka Okano
- Maria Castillo Fernandez
- Alexandra Sakaki
- Michael Reiterer
Moderator: Bart Gaens
Photos: flic.kr/s/aHBqjCWJnt
Baltic Indo-Pacific Forum 2026
Alexandra Sakaki retweeted
Great-Power Rivalry in the Indo-Pacific and Middle-Power Strategies–Perspectives from Europe and Japan
- Masataka Okano
- Maria Castillo Fernandez
- Alexandra Sakaki
- Michael Reiterer
Moderator: Bart Gaens
Photos: flic.kr/s/aHBqjCWJnt
Baltic Indo-Pacific Forum 2026
Thank you for highlighting my quote in the NY Times!
Japan would need wartime history education, awareness of today’s shifting geopolitical environment, and public discussions on rearmament. “Will they be ready for combat, will they be ready to fight? Japan and Germany need the public to back that vision.”
nytimes.com/2026/06/14/world…
Honored to be quoted by @nytimes on the profound security policy shifts underway in Germany and Japan and their growing cooperation with other middle powers.
Glad to contribute to this important discussion.
nytimes.com/2026/06/14/world…
Alexandra Sakaki retweeted
BREAKING: Japan seals largest-ever defense contract with frigate sale to Australia japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/0…
Very excited about about the upcoming Executive Roundtable organized by @AsiaSociety Switzerland on the "State of Japan"
asiasociety.org/switzerland/…
The Indonesian President is scheduled to visit Tokyo March 29 and I spoke to @mariasiow at the @SCMPNews about my expectations for the visit. Check out the article:
👀⤵️
scmp.com/week-asia/politics/…
Insightful discussions on Japan's policy and regional dynamics with 🇯🇵 Ambassador to 🇪🇺, Ambassador Aikawa of @JapanMissionEU and parliamentarians at the @Europarl_EN
On 12 March, Ambassador Aikawa attended the meeting of the @Europarl_EN's Delegation for Relations with Japan in Strasbourg, presenting the mandate of the new 🇯🇵 government & exchanging views on recent developments in East Asia with D-JP MEPs & Dr @SakakiAlexandra from @SWP_Asia
Der Gipfel zwischen Japans Premierministerin Takaichi und US Präsident Trump in Washington steht bevor! 🇯🇵🇺🇲
Meine Erwartungen an das Treffen erläutere ich in der Sendung "SWR Kultur am Morgen" um kurz nach 7 Uhr, am morgigen Donnerstag!
➡️ swr.de/swrkultur/#a...
Thanks @World_Data_A for posting this graph out of my research paper. You can find the study here swp-berlin.org/en/publicatio…
Never say never
China has become Japan’s largest trading partner.
While political tensions often dominate headlines, trade data tells a quieter story: economic ties have deepened over the past two decades.
Economic gravity moves more slowly, but more persistently.
Source: @SWPBerlin @SWP_Asia by @SakakiAlexandra
🇯🇵's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has started her term with a strong majority in the lower house of parliament: in an interview with @asahi I analyze the implications for Japan’s foreign policy.
This interview is in Japanese and behind a Paywall ⬇️
digital.asahi.com/sp/article…
Looking forward to this event tomorrow in London!
🚢 We are delighted to announce that we will be co-hosting a seminar with @RIPS_admin on Wed 28 January. Come along to hear @alessionaval @SakakiAlexandra and others discuss current maritime security challenges in East Asia!
📍 King's College London
➡️ csns.uk/event/international-…
Alexandra Sakaki retweeted
インド太平洋地域の安定と繁栄は、欧州の将来にとって極めて重要です。
海洋安全保障やイノベーション、日本との連携をはじめ、同地域で高まりつつあるドイツの役割について、本日付の毎日新聞朝刊@mainichi に寄稿いたしました。
mainichi.jp/articles/2025121…
Alexandra Sakaki retweeted
Remarks by Defense Minister against China’s Claims on the Radar Incident against Japan Air Self-Defense Force Aircraft by Chinese Military Aircraft on Dec. 6th (Press Conference on Dec. 9th, 2025)
Meine Kommentare in der Frankfurter Rundschau zu Japans Debatte über die drei Nicht Nuklearen Prinzipien
fr.de/politik/keine-tabus-wa…
Comments by C. Pajon and me on Chinese fighters pointing their fire-control radar at Japan's planes over the East China Sea.
From a European perspective, China's systematic and repeated use of risky military intimidation tactics is deeply worrying.
nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOGR0…
Alexandra Sakaki retweeted
As Chinese pressure on #Taiwan intensifies amid rising #US-#China rivalry and uncertainty in US policy, #Japan and #Europe face growing risks and are increasingly using their diplomatic and economic influence to help deter coercion and support stability.
By @SakakiAlexandra: ispionline.it/en/publication…
