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Japan
Trump’s ‘wind-up doll’? Japan’s PM faces backlash over White House fawning
White House footage of Sanae Takaichi cheering for a rock band and laughing at a jibe at Joe Biden left some in Japan feeling ‘ashamed’.
11 minutes ago
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North Korea
North Korea’s Kim slams US ‘state terror’ but spares Trump in third-term address
2 hours ago
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Japan
In Japan, trains will get an extra 20 seconds to avert catastrophe from quakes
24 Mar 2026 - 8:51AM
China exports
What does Iran war mean for China’s export machine?
Crisis sparks debate: will it cripple global demand or show that China’s supply-side resilience, proven during pandemic, remains in place?
23 Mar 2026 - 10:39PM
A car carrier loaded with vehicles for export sets sail from Yantai Port in east China’s Shandong province on February 10. Photo: Xinhua
Japan
Japanese national back home after Iran detention
While the person, detained last year, is now free, another Japanese national - said to be a journalist - has been in custody since January.
23 Mar 2026 - 5:09PM
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China exports
China cuts some hi-tech metals sent to Japan – but magnet exports rise. Why?
Exports of gallium and germanium have slowed, yet rare earth magnet shipments have increased amid strained ties.
23 Mar 2026 - 7:06PM
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Japan
Most Japanese oppose helping Trump fight his war on Iran, polls show
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi says she has explained to Trump that there are limits to what Japan can do due to legal constraints.
23 Mar 2026 - 3:02PM
Donald Trump and Sanae Takaichi talk in the Oval Office of the White House on Saturday. Photo: White House/Planet Pix/Zuma Press Wire/dpa
South Korea
South Korea’s hurry-hurry spirit keeps killing its factory workers
Nine of the 14 people killed in Friday’s factory fire in Daejeon died in a room that did not officially exist.
23 Mar 2026 - 1:50PM
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South Korea
BTS’ South Korea comeback crowd disappoints, triggering stock sell-off
The reunion concert drew 104,000 fans – less than half the 260,000 police had expected.
23 Mar 2026 - 8:13PM
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Malaysia
Should wives always obey? Most in Malaysia and Indonesia say yes
A new study also shows 64 per cent of respondents in Singapore agree that efforts to give women equal rights with men ‘have gone far enough’.
23 Mar 2026 - 11:07AM
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North Korea
North Korea reappoints Kim Jong-un as supreme leader
State media said the decision to re-elect Kim to the ‘top post’ reflected ‘the unanimous will and desire of all the Korean people’.
23 Mar 2026 - 5:20PM
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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (centre) at the first session of the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Sunday. Photo: KCNA/KNS/AFP
Japan
Can Japan offer Indonesia a ‘credible alternative’ to China on Prabowo’s visit?
Defence and minerals to dominate the agenda as Tokyo offers hi-tech warships and energy pacts to secure Indonesia as a ‘trusted partner’.
23 Mar 2026 - 9:20AM
Japan
Japan may send ‘top level’ minesweepers to Hormuz after ceasefire
Foreign Minister Motegi also announced the release and return of one of the two Japanese nationals previously detained in Iran.
22 Mar 2026 - 12:08PM
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South Korea
At least 14 people die in South Korea fire at car parts factory
Some workers jumped from a building as the blaze in the city of Daejeon spread rapidly, with witnesses reporting an explosion.
21 Mar 2026 - 6:44PM
Japan
Iran ready to help Japan ships pass through Strait of Hormuz, Araghchi says
Calling on the world to oppose the attacks against Iran, the foreign minister notes Japan’s ‘balanced and fair’ position.
21 Mar 2026 - 2:47PM
Cargo ships sail in the Arabian Gulf towards the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday. Photo: AP
South Korea
They’re back! K-pop’s BTS play first gig together in nearly 4 years
There were 22,000 free tickets, with thousands of other fans flooding Seoul to watch on giant screens, plus a Netflix live stream.
21 Mar 2026 - 9:33PM
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South Korea
South Korea’s cut-price interceptor outshines US Patriot in Iran war debut
The Cheongung-II hit 96 per cent of targets at a third of the cost of its US rival, triggering a scramble for the technology.
21 Mar 2026 - 11:01AM
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Japan
Trump’s Pearl Harbour joke falls flat in Japan over his ‘disrespectful remarks’
As Japan faces pressure over the Iran war, some observers commend Takaichi for steering her meeting with Trump towards trade deals.
20 Mar 2026 - 9:03PM
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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi raises her fist while delivering remarks during a dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
South Korea
South Korean factory fire injures at least 55
The district fire chief said authorities were looking for at least 14 other people.
20 Mar 2026 - 5:09PM
Japan
Deep snow can’t hide inflation, foreign ‘takeover’ fears in Japan ski hub
An influx of foreign workers, inflated property prices and living costs are testing the patience of Niseko’s residents.
20 Mar 2026 - 2:31PM
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China shipbuilding
‘Not easy’: Japan mulls building its own LNG carriers amid Iran energy crisis
China and South Korea dominate global production of vessels for carrying natural gas, but Japan now sees industry as key to its energy security.
20 Mar 2026 - 1:00PM
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Japan
Japan PM conveys to Trump her ‘strong intent’ to meet North Korea’s Kim
Takaichi said she has ‘received full support from the president towards an immediate solution’ to Pyongyang’s abductions of Japanese nationals.
20 Mar 2026 - 11:13AM
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US President Donald Trump kisses Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a dinner at the White House on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
South Korea
South Korea risks US rift over Iran’s Hormuz Strait squeeze
Any deal with Iran could undermine South Korea’s alliance with the US and their US$350 billion trade deal.
20 Mar 2026 - 8:10AM
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United States
Trump compares Iran attack to Pearl Harbour in otherwise positive Takaichi talks
Two leaders tout bilateral relationship and pledge to work cooperatively on trade.
21 Mar 2026 - 3:39AM
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Japan
Blooming marvellous: Tokyo’s cherry blossom season officially begins
The blooming was five days earlier than the average, possibly due to low rainfall and longer hours of sunshine in winter.
19 Mar 2026 - 5:46PM
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