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The aftermath of an Israeli strike on Evin Prison, Iran, in June. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters
Japan

‘Hostage diplomacy’ fears mount over arrest of Japanese journalist in Iran

The incident comes amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran, with a large American military force positioned near Iran.

Japan

Viral video of child being shoved at Tokyo’s iconic Shibuya Crossing stokes anger

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North Korea

North Korea’s Kim warns of ‘eternal confrontation’ without US dialogue

Japan

Cash-for-tips scheme in Japan sparks debate over migrant rights

Backers argue tougher measures are needed to curb unauthorised employment, but migrant advocates fear unintended social consequences.

People walking at JR Mito station in Ibaraki prefecture in eastern Japan. Photo: Kyodo
People walking at JR Mito station in Ibaraki prefecture in eastern Japan. Photo: Kyodo
Japan

Japan’s PM revives push to criminalise defacing national flag

It is already a crime to damage a foreign flag in Japan. Now, emboldened by a massive election win, the PM wants to protect her own.

South Korea

Why Yoon’s life sentence and ‘sympathetic’ ruling divide South Korea

As the ex-president appeals his life sentence for a martial law plot, judicial reform is back on the agenda for a deeply divided nation.

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South Korea

South Korea axes visa barriers for Indonesians in 30 million visitor drive

Citizens of China and Southeast Asian nations who have previously visited the country can apply for multiple-entry visas of up to 10 years.

Filipino tourists pose for a photo in front of Hongje Falls in the Seodaemun district on February 9. Photo: The Korea Times
Filipino tourists pose for a photo in front of Hongje Falls in the Seodaemun district on February 9. Photo: The Korea Times
South Korea

South Korea’s Lee uses AI to honour shared factory worker past with Brazil’s Lula

The gesture accompanied Lula’s state visit to Seoul, where the two leaders agreed to strengthen bilateral ties.

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South Korea

Shaman’s bribery conviction spells trouble for South Korea’s former first lady

A judge has ruled luxury gifts passed to Kim Keon-hee were ‘grease payments’, contradicting an earlier verdict and threatening her appeal.

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Japan

Japan’s Takaichi defends US$190 election gifts to ruling party lawmakers

The revelation that 315 MPs were asked to pick items from a gift catalogue evokes a slush-fund scandal that engulfed the party in 2023.

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Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attends a House of Representatives plenary session to answer questions from opposition leaders on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
Japan

Future of Japan’s ‘naked festival’ in doubt after 3 men left unconscious

Organisers said they would review safety rules after six men collapsed during the annual scramble for good-luck talismans.

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Participants at the Saidaiji “naked festival” gather inside the temple hall before sacred talismans are thrown in Okayama City on Saturday. Photo: Kyodo
Participants at the Saidaiji “naked festival” gather inside the temple hall before sacred talismans are thrown in Okayama City on Saturday. Photo: Kyodo
China travel

Chinese tourism to Japan plunges 50% over Lunar New Year as Thailand cashes in

Thailand was the top destination for China’s outbound travellers over the extended holiday, with tourists avoiding Japan amid rising tensions.

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Japan

No takebacks: Japan wants US to stick to trade deal amid tariff turmoil

Japan could see extra tax burdens on some goods if Trump’s new 10 per cent tariffs were to be applied unilaterally, the trade minister said.

Scams and swindles

‘K-wave’ scams exploiting Brazil’s superfans trigger police pact

South Korea and Brazil are taking action to protect fans from fraudsters cashing in with phantom merchandise and exploitative ‘oppa’ tours.

BTS fans who flew from Brazil to see the K-pop super act’s members Jungkook and Jimin released from military service pose with flags in Yeoncheon, South Korea, on June 11 last year. Photo: AFP
South Korea

South Korean ex-president Yoon appeals against ‘excessive’ life sentence

Yoon Suk-yeol’s legal team said it needed to place the problems with the ruling on record for the sake of history.

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Supporters of former South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol (second row, left) watch a live stream of his trial on Thursday. Photo: AFP
Supporters of former South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol (second row, left) watch a live stream of his trial on Thursday. Photo: AFP
China-Japan relations

China adds Japanese entities to export control list, turning up heat on Tokyo

Beijing has also added 20 Japanese firms and institutions to a watch list for the export of goods with potential military applications.

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North Korea

Kim Jong-un’s sister takes major step up in North Korean leadership

Kim Yo-jong, one of her brother’s closest lieutenants, has been promoted to full department director at the Workers’ Party congress.

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South Korea

Why South Korea is risking a rare rift with US to slash joint military drills

Washington is reportedly pushing back on Seoul’s request for smaller drills, forcing the postponement of a major joint military briefing.

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US and South Korean armoured vehicles cross a floating bridge as part of last year’s Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military exercise. Photo: AFP
US and South Korean armoured vehicles cross a floating bridge as part of last year’s Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military exercise. Photo: AFP
Japan

Japan’s ‘Traitor Takaichi’ hit with online smear campaign using fake accounts

Using AI-generated images and simplified Chinese characters, a network of 3,000 fake accounts reportedly tried to sway Japan’s election.

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China travel

Chinese shoppers are Asia’s biggest airport spenders, study finds

China’s travellers outspend even their Indian and Saudi peers, splashing twice the regional average on luxury goods, airport retail study says.

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Japan

Tokyo Skytree tower closed after 20 trapped in lift for 5 hours

Operator apologises after ‘elevator malfunction’ at famous Tokyo landmark traps visitors until 2am.

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The Tokyo Skytree. Photo: AFP
South Korea

South Korea protests Russian embassy ‘Victory’ banner as key war date looms

South Korea formally protests display in the heart of its capital as the Ukraine-Russia war enters its fifth year.

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A banner reading ‘Victory will be ours’ on the exterior wall of the Russian embassy in Seoul. Photo: AFP
A banner reading ‘Victory will be ours’ on the exterior wall of the Russian embassy in Seoul. Photo: AFP
Japan

Clocking off: is Japan’s culture of overwork finally dying?

The average hours put in by Japanese workers are lower than those of their American and Italian counterparts.

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North Korea

North Korea’s explosive thriller reveals assassination plot against Kim’s dad

‘Days and Nights of Confrontation’, which depicts a plot to kill Kim Jong-il, was released for the first time on state television last month.

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South Korea

#SEAbling: the hashtag uniting Southeast Asia against South Korea

A row over K-pop fan behaviour in Malaysia has spiralled into a bitter regional dispute online, with echoes of the ‘Milk Tea Alliance’.

A meme circulating on social media under the hashtag #SEAbling. Photo: X/sna_zizah17
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