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
A videographer points a camera toward a wall-length window that shows a brightly-lit street of in Tokyo just after sunset.
A videographer points a camera toward a wall-length window that shows a brightly-lit street of in Tokyo just after sunset.

Japan’s GDP Bump Is Real but Fragile
Analysis
William Sposato
A man wearing a gray suit walks on the sidewalk in front of an array of television screens that show the numbers on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in white text against a red background.
A man wearing a gray suit walks on the sidewalk in front of an array of television screens that show the numbers on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in white text against a red background.

Japan’s Stock Market Is Finally Back to 1990 Levels
Analysis
William Sposato
A soldier from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force 1st Airborne Brigade takes part in a joint military drill with Britain, Australia and the United States in Funabashi, Japan, on Jan. 8.
A soldier from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force 1st Airborne Brigade takes part in a joint military drill with Britain, Australia and the United States in Funabashi, Japan, on Jan. 8.

Japan’s Defense Plans Are Big, Popular, and Expensive
Argument
William Sposato
Then-Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda attends a central bank symposium.
Then-Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda attends a central bank symposium.

Japan Has Raised Inflation but Can’t Shake Stagnation
Analysis
William Sposato
A semiconductor manufacturing plant is seen in Japan.
A semiconductor manufacturing plant is seen in Japan.

Japan Bets Big on Bringing Semiconductor Manufacturing Home
Analysis
William Sposato
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