Japan has slipped to fourth place in a ranking of the most powerful and influential nations in the Asia-Pacific region compiled by an Australian think tank, falling behind fast-growing India due to Tokyo’s prolonged economic stagnation. In the Asia Power Index’s 2024 edition, recently released by the Lowy Institute, Japan scored 38.9 points out of 100, up 1.6 points from a year ago, while India’s rise by 2.8 points gave it 39.1 points. The United States led at 81.7 points, followed by China on 72.7. The analysis evaluates the comprehensive power of 27 countries and territories in the region, u…