Dialogue in a Fragmented World: Reflections from the Imperial Springs International Forum

Contingency or Provocation?

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s framing of a Taiwan contingency as a threat to Japan’s survival is widely seen as a direct challenge to the post-World War II settlement, contradicting Japan’s longstanding political commitment that Taiwan is part of China

‘A War of Imperialism’

Historian Richard Overy, author of Blood and Ruins: The Last Imperial War, 1931-1945, reexamines World War II as a global war of imperialism that started with Japan’s invasion of Northeast China in 1931

Wellspring of Wisdom

Global leaders at the 2025 Imperial Springs International Forum agreed multilateralism remains essential for addressing conflicts, AI governance gaps and global uncertainty, calling for deeper dialogue and stronger cooperation

An ‘Inevitable Peace’?

President Xi and President Trump’s meeting in South Korea suggests that both countries are exploring how to manage their differences and prevent their rivalry from escalating

Entering a New Phase?

Retaliating against Washington’s new sanctions with tightened rare earth controls, China is adopting a more assertive approach toward US pressures, shifting from mitigating damage to seeking reciprocity on equal-footing