Andrew S. Erickson

This latest set of major reports from Japan’s Defense Ministry brims with exquisitely detailed graphics that convey important new information. (Identical versions in English and Japanese.) Those of us who’ve long enjoyed exchanges with Japanese government interlocutors are familiar with this elegant style. The course I took with Edward Tufte makes me think he’d plead for fewer words, but I still think he’d be impressed. I hope this distinctive Japanese approach can influence Pentagon PowerPoint layouts—for the better—in the future!

Security Environment Surrounding Japan [わが国を取り巻く安全保障環境] (Tokyo: Japan Ministry of Defense [防衛省], March 2021 [令和3年3月]).

China

• China’s Activities in East China Sea, Pacific Ocean, and Sea of Japan [中国情勢（東シナ海・太平洋・日本海）]

• China’s Activities in the South China Sea （China’s development activities on the features and trends in related countries） [南シナ海情勢（中国による地形埋立・関係国の動向）]

North Korea

• Recent Missile & Nuclear Development of North Korea [北朝鮮による核・弾道ミサイル開発について]

Russia

• Development of Russian Armed Forces in the Vicinity of Japan [我が国周辺におけるロシア軍の動向について]