February and March 2014 saw Japan much more isolated than at any point since the US occupation, but the shallowness and myopia of Japan’s media coverage stood out beyond earlier periods. Larger-than-life international personages were caricatured in ways that, at times, only faintly resembled analysis in other countries. The most negative coverage was devoted to Park Geun-hye, portrayed as emotional rather than strategic—if only she could recognize that North Korea and China are the problem, not Japan. Disappointment with a US leader exceeded anything visible in a long time; Barack Obama’s serial weakness was perceived as standing in the way of a genuine commitment to defend the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands as a red line drawn against China—if only a Republican were president. Xi Jinping was determined to encircle Japan, proving that China never again would be willing to live in peace with its neighbor—if only other states were willing to stand strongly against his bullying. The two glimmers of hope defied belief elsewhere. In the case of Kim Jong-un, it was not that he was described with any redeeming qualities, but the idea that in extreme isolation he was showing interest in Japan and raising some hope on the abduction issue by allowing the deceased abductee Yokota Megumi’s daughter to meet with her parents in Mongolia was reason to intensify talks. If only Kim would come clean on this problem and prioritize Japan, bilateral diplomacy could showcase Japan’s special role where other states were failing. Finally, the world’s new villain, Vladimir Putin, may be an imperialist and a pariah in the West for human rights as well, but he needs Japan for balance and for economic objectives and may be inclined to reach a deal on the disputed islands defiant of his foreign ministry and public opinion—if only he reciprocated Abe’s pursuit of him.

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