The Diplomat | Author
Thisanka Siripala
Thisanka Siripala is an Australian-Sri Lankan cross platform journalist living in Tokyo.
Thisanka Siripala is an Australian-Sri Lankan cross platform journalist living in Tokyo. She specializes in Asia-Pacific news and current affairs while predominantly covering Japan and North Asia-related politics, business, and socio-economic shifts. She is an honors graduate from The University of Melbourne with a degree in International Relations, Media Studies, and Japanese language.
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January 12, 2023
Japan’s Winter Energy Crunch Marks Return to Nuclear Power
By Thisanka Siripala
The country’s worsening energy supply shortage is seeing nuclear power play a greater role in its energy mix.
November 07, 2022
Japan’s Ruling Government in Crisis Over Unification Church Scandals
By Thisanka Siripala
Japan’s governing party is struggling to quell public suspicion over party members’ ties with the controversial Unification Church.
October 18, 2022
Japan and Russia Lock Horns Over Diplomats, Sanctions, and Rockets
By Thisanka Siripala
Relations between the two nations have reached their lowest point amid further unprecedented Japanese sanctions against Russia.
September 28, 2022
Abe Shinzo and the North Korean Abduction Issue
By Thisanka Siripala
The former prime minister’s all-or-nothing approach may have stymied progress on the unresolved North Korean abductions of Japanese nationals.
September 16, 2022
Japan, US Discuss Longer Range Missiles to Counter China
By Thisanka Siripala
At a defense ministers’ meeting, Japan gets U.S. support to bolster its defenses with “counter strike capabilities.”
September 15, 2022
Japan and the Controversial Unification Church
By Thisanka Siripala
In a post-Abe era, Japanese politics has been rocked by the Unification Church’s links to LDP lawmakers.
September 14, 2022
Japan Set to Welcome Unrestricted Tourism by October
By Thisanka Siripala
Japan’s struggling tourism sector sees a light at the end of the tunnel as “self-guided” tours make way for full travel.
July 30, 2022
Tackling Japan’s Inflation Shock
By Thisanka Siripala
Rising global energy prices are intensifying cost of living pressures and thwarting Japan’s post-COVID economic recovery.
July 28, 2022
Japan’s Record-Breaking Summer COVID-19 Surge
By Thisanka Siripala
The government has shifted its focus from prevention to priority treatment for the severely ill amid strains on the healthcare system.
July 20, 2022
Japan Toughens Penalties for Cyberbullying
By Thisanka Siripala
The government’s crackdown on online abuse has been called out for its legal ambiguity and potential to curb freedom of expression.
July 15, 2022
Ex-Japan PM Abe’s Funeral Draws Foreign Delegates Paying Their Respects
By Thisanka Siripala
Japan bid farewell to former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo in a funeral service that drew public mourners and foreign dignitaries.
July 13, 2022
Japan’s Ruling Coalition Expands Majority in Elections After Abe’s Assassination
By Thisanka Siripala
The upper house election took on heightened significance in the wake of former Prime Minister Abe’s assassination.