June 06, 2023

About the author

Kosuke Takahashi

Kosuke Takahashi is a Tokyo-based journalist. His work has appeared in the Asahi Shimbun, Bloomberg, Asia Times, Jane's Defence Weekly and The Diplomat, among other publications. You can follow him on Twitter @TakahashiKosuke

More articles by 'Kosuke Takahashi'

Pro-North Korea media outlet in Japan offers rare look at its Pyongyang bureau

Pro-North Korea media outlet in Japan offers rare look at its Pyongyang bureau

Chongryon’s newspaper boasts of special access and details coverage of major events, underscoring close ties to regime

Pro-North Korea media outlet in Japan offers rare look at its Pyongyang bureau
Kosuke Takahashi
Kosuke Takahashi March 24, 2023
Japan says it won’t rule out sending aid to North Korea if it returns abductees

Japan says it won’t rule out sending aid to North Korea if it returns abductees

Experts say Pyongyang unlikely to agree to such terms due to fundamental disagreements on issue

Japan says it won’t rule out sending aid to North Korea if it returns abductees
Kosuke Takahashi
Kosuke Takahashi March 1, 2023
Antonio Inoki, the man who brought pro wrestling to North Korea, dies at 79

Antonio Inoki, the man who brought pro wrestling to North Korea, dies at 79

Japanese parliamentarian and renowned martial artist visited Pyongyang over 30 times in efforts to push sports diplomacy

Antonio Inoki, the man who brought pro wrestling to North Korea, dies at 79
Kosuke Takahashi
Kosuke Takahashi October 3, 2022
Japanese donations likely funded Unification Church projects in North Korea

Japanese donations likely funded Unification Church projects in North Korea

Former Tokyo intelligence officer tells NK News the church built Pyeonghwa Motors factory in Nampho with Japanese money

Japanese donations likely funded Unification Church projects in North Korea
Kosuke Takahashi
Kosuke Takahashi August 16, 2022
North Korea able to hit Japan with nuclear weapons, white paper warns

North Korea able to hit Japan with nuclear weapons, white paper warns

Tokyo defense ministry’s annual report lists DPRK as key threat, mentions counterstrike capabilities for first time

North Korea able to hit Japan with nuclear weapons, white paper warns
Kosuke Takahashi
Kosuke Takahashi July 25, 2022
Japan approves $1.2 billion for missile defense, eyeing North Korea threats

Japan approves $1.2 billion for missile defense, eyeing North Korea threats

The funds are a part of $53.6 billion in defense spending that the cabinet has approved for the next 16 months

Japan approves $1.2 billion for missile defense, eyeing North Korea threats
Kosuke Takahashi
Kosuke Takahashi December 30, 2021
Longtime head of influential North Korea abductee group dies at 83

Longtime head of influential North Korea abductee group dies at 83

Shigeo Iizuka fought for the return of Japanese nationals taken to the DPRK after his sister was abducted in 1970s

Longtime head of influential North Korea abductee group dies at 83
Kosuke Takahashi
Kosuke Takahashi December 20, 2021
Tokyo submits record defense budget to counter threats from North Korea, China

Tokyo submits record defense budget to counter threats from North Korea, China

$6.8 billion extra budget includes spending to enhance missile defense as Kishida warns of DPRK’s weapons development

Tokyo submits record defense budget to counter threats from North Korea, China
Kosuke Takahashi
Kosuke Takahashi November 29, 2021
Decades later, still no clear solution in sight for Japanese abduction issue

Decades later, still no clear solution in sight for Japanese abduction issue

North Korea refuses to negotiate, and Tokyo unwilling to entertain the possibility some victims are no longer alive

Decades later, still no clear solution in sight for Japanese abduction issue
Kosuke Takahashi
Kosuke Takahashi November 16, 2021
Two South Koreans in Japan sought to obtain foreign currency for North Korea

Two South Koreans in Japan sought to obtain foreign currency for North Korea

ROK nationals arrested for violating immigration law allegedly received instructions from a DPRK spy, source says

Two South Koreans in Japan sought to obtain foreign currency for North Korea
Kosuke Takahashi
Kosuke Takahashi November 12, 2021
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