William Sposato

William Sposato is a Tokyo-based journalist who has been a contributor to Foreign Policy since 2015. He has been following Japan’s politics and economics for more than 20 years, working at Reuters and the Wall Street Journal. He is also the co-author of a 2021 book on the Carlos Ghosn affair and its impact on Japan.

Articles by William Sposato
Yoshimasa Hayashi, set to become Japan's new foreign minister, leaves the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Nov. 10.
Yoshimasa Hayashi, set to become Japan's new foreign minister, leaves the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Nov. 10.

Japan’s Foreign Minister Faces Tough Calls on China

Analysis
William Sposato
Fumio Kishida after being elected head of the LDP
Fumio Kishida after being elected head of the LDP

Japan’s Ruling Party Picks the Safe Option

Argument
William Sposato
Then-Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga bows.
Then-Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga bows.

Suga’s Rivals Are Scrambling to Succeed Him

Analysis
William Sposato
Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso
Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso

Taro Aso’s Taiwan Slip Was Likely Deliberate

Argument
William Sposato
Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto
Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto

As the Clock Ticks, Japanese Wonder If the Olympics Are Worth the Risk

Argument
William Sposato
Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga (right) sits next to a monitor displaying a virtual Quadrilateral Security Dialogue meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden (top left), Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison (bottom left), and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi (bottom right), in Tokyo on March 12.
Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga (right) sits next to a monitor displaying a virtual Quadrilateral Security Dialogue meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden (top left), Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison (bottom left), and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi (bottom right), in Tokyo on March 12.

Japan Toughens on China as Beijing Issues Threats

Argument
William Sposato
A man searches through earthquake rubble in Japan.
A man searches through earthquake rubble in Japan.

The Fukushima Plant Is Still Leaking Poison After a Decade

Report
William Sposato
The National Stadium, the main venue for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games
The National Stadium, the main venue for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Tokyo Wants the Olympics to Happen Even if the Public Doesn’t

Argument
William Sposato
A screen showing Joe Biden in Tokyo
A screen showing Joe Biden in Tokyo

Some in Japan Are Already Missing Trump

Election 2020
William Sposato
U.S. President Donald Trump is welcomed by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
U.S. President Donald Trump is welcomed by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

Japan Worries About Four More Years of Trump—and About a Biden Presidency

Election 2020
William Sposato
Then-Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga (right) presents flowers to Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
Then-Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga (right) presents flowers to Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

Abenomics Can Flourish Without Abe

Argument
William Sposato
Incoming Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga poses for a portrait picture in Tokyo on Sept. 14.
Incoming Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga poses for a portrait picture in Tokyo on Sept. 14.

Japan’s New Prime Minister Is a Fixer, Not a Leader

Argument
William Sposato
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

Unloved But Successful, Shinzo Abe Takes His Bow

Argument
William Sposato
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe takes off his face mask before speaking during a press conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on May 14.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe takes off his face mask before speaking during a press conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on May 14.

Japan’s Halfhearted Coronavirus Measures Are Working Anyway

Argument
William Sposato
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wearing a face mask attends a press conference at the prime minister's official residence on April 7 in Tokyo.
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wearing a face mask attends a press conference at the prime minister's official residence on April 7 in Tokyo.

Japan Is Testing the Limits of Pandemic Economics

Argument
William Sposato
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