Kirk Spitzer

Kirk Spitzer is a veteran journalist and defense correspondent, based in Tokyo.

U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet commander Admiral Harry Harris, left, speaks to journalists during his visit to U.S.S. Spruance (DDG 111), Arleigh Burke–class guided-missile destroyer, docking in Sembawang wharves in Singapore on Jan. 22, 2014

The New Head of the U.S. Pacific Command Talks to TIME About the Pivot to Asia and His Asian Roots

Admiral Harry B. Harris Jr. sees his background as an Asian American as use...

Admiral Harry B. Harris Jr. sees his background as an Asian American as useful in helping the U.S. forge better relationships with its allies and other powers

Freelance photographer Yuichi Sugimoto speaks to media reporters a day after his passport was confiscated by the Foreign Ministry at his home on Feb. 8, 2015 in Niigata, Japan.

Don't Even Think About Going to Syria, Japan Tells Its Journalists

Cameraman planning a trip has his passport revoked by Foreign Ministry offi...

Cameraman planning a trip has his passport revoked by Foreign Ministry officials

Japan's Self-Defense Force honor guards prepare for a welcoming ceremony of new Defense Minister Gen Nakatani in Tokyo on Dec. 25, 2014

Japan Isn't Going to Take the Next Hostage Crisis Lying Down

Tokyo wants to end 70 years of strict pacifism so that it can help its nati...

Tokyo wants to end 70 years of strict pacifism so that it can help its nationals overseas

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe talks during a ministerial meeting on an online video purportedly showing a Japanese hostage being killed by the Islamic State at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo on Feb. 1, 2015.

Hostage Crisis Deepens Debate Over How to Defend Japan

The deaths of two Japanese men at the hands of ISIS could be trouble for Pr...

The deaths of two Japanese men at the hands of ISIS could be trouble for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

People in Tokyo watch news on the Japanese ISIS hostages, Jan. 23, 2015.

Why Japan Lacks Sympathy for the Hostages Held by ISIS

While the clock ticks down for two Japanese hostages held by ISIS, their co...

While the clock ticks down for two Japanese hostages held by ISIS, their countrymen think they've brought the problem on themselves

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe looks on during a press conference with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on Jan. 20, 2015, in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

Japan's Abe Faces Great Risk, Little Reward in ISIS Hostage Crisis

Japanese prime minister has few options to act after ISIS holds two citizen...

Japanese prime minister has few options to act after ISIS holds two citizens to $200 million ransom

Japanese Trade and Industry Minister Yuko Obuchi resigned on Oct. 20 amid allegations of misusing election funds

The Resignation of Two Ministers Spells Trouble for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

More ministers could fall as Japan faces political instability at the worst...

More ministers could fall as Japan faces political instability at the worst time