The new issue of Contemporary Japan (vol. 36, no. 2) features five research articles, the biennial 2023 VSJF award-winning paper, and a book review section. The research articles include an inquiry into the relevance and effectiveness of national apologies by Jane Munro; Ryotaro Takahashi addresses the relationship of income inequality and the size of the government in Japan; Ken Hijino analyzes the politics of depopulation in local elections; Silvia Croydon investigates the politics of inclusiveness in terms of consultation on disability policies; and Kristina Iwata-Weickgenannt and Aidana Bolatbekkyzy explore how foodscapes are invoked in critical commentary on the “capitalocene” in post-3.11 Japanese literature. The English translation of the VSJF award-winning paper by David Adebahr offers unprecedented access to the conversations and thought processes behind Japan’s security policy among key political actors in Japan. CJ’s book review section includes recent publications on religion and fundamentalism, the history of Kyoto, public discourse on fertility policies, and the use of robots in eldercare.