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
Natsuo Yamaguchi (left) of the Komeito party and Kazuo Shii of the Japanese Communist Party hold up signs as they take part in a party leaders' debate in Tokyo on June 21.
Natsuo Yamaguchi (left) of the Komeito party and Kazuo Shii of the Japanese Communist Party hold up signs as they take part in a party leaders' debate in Tokyo on June 21.

Japan’s Political Stability Depends on a Minor Party’s Leverage

Argument
William Sposato
Children sit near a public water fountain as members of the Unification Church attend a rally
Children sit near a public water fountain as members of the Unification Church attend a rally

Shinzo Abe’s Killing Puts Unification Church Under Microscope

Analysis
William Sposato
Two unidentified military vessels off Taiwan
Two unidentified military vessels off Taiwan

Beijing’s Taiwan Aggression Has Backfired in Tokyo

Analysis
William Sposato
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during a news conference.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during a news conference.

Election Victories Empower Kishida’s Agenda for Japan

Dispatch
William Sposato
People mourn former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's killing
People mourn former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's killing

‘How Could This Happen in Japan?’ This article has an audio recording

Analysis
William Sposato
(From left) Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, U.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
(From left) Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, U.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Japan Is Getting Real on Security After Ukraine

Analysis
William Sposato
Bank of Japan governor Haruhiko Kuroda
Bank of Japan governor Haruhiko Kuroda

Japan Finally Gets Inflation—but the Wrong Kind

Analysis
William Sposato
Japan's foreign minister meets with Ukraine's ambassador
Japan's foreign minister meets with Ukraine's ambassador

Japan Steps Up on Ukraine

Analysis
James D.J. Brown, William Sposato
People line up for COVID-19 testing in Tokyo.
People line up for COVID-19 testing in Tokyo.

Japan Reconsiders COVID-19 Rules as Omicron Fills Hospitals

Analysis
Kathleen Benoza, William Sposato
People receive food from a nonprofit in Tokyo.
People receive food from a nonprofit in Tokyo.

Japan’s New Prime Minister Takes On Abenomics’ Legacy

Analysis
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
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