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Japan
Trump wants Japanese warships in Hormuz. Can Takaichi ‘dodge the bullet’?
The Iran war complicates Trump-Takaichi talks, putting her in a bind between US demands and constitutional limits on military action.
5 hours ago
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North Korea
North Korea launches 10 missiles as South Korea, US conduct military exercises
14 Mar 2026 - 3:11PM
US, Israel war on Iran
More than 2,000 Marines leave Japan for Middle East as Iran war intensifies
14 Mar 2026 - 12:52PM
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North Korea
Trump tells South Korea he is only leader who can break North Korean deadlock
Trump was interested to know if North Korea’s Kim Jong-un would be open to meeting him, South Korean prime minister said.
14 Mar 2026 - 9:47AM
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President Donald Trump meets North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the demilitarised zone separating the two Koreas on June 30, 2019. Photo: Reuters
Diplomacy
Beyond Pax Silica: Japan, France and Canada seek rare earth autonomy
Wary of both Beijing’s grip and Washington’s whims, three G7 allies are charting their own independent critical mineral course.
14 Mar 2026 - 8:01AM
Japan
Japanese man gets 14 years for deadly tequila-fuelled rape attempt
The victim died from acute alcohol poisoning after Hiroki Itaya forced her to drink 32 tequila shots at a bar in Nagoya.
14 Mar 2026 - 7:10AM
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China trade
Japan taps oil reserves as Iran war spreads. Could it give China leverage?
With Tokyo and Beijing still at loggerheads over Taiwan, analysts warn Japan’s decision exposes its economic vulnerability.
13 Mar 2026 - 6:00PM
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Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to the media about the release of oil stockpiles at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence in Tokyo on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
China's population
Can AI help China cushion economic fallout from its rapidly ageing population?
As fertility rates fall, Asian economies face a daunting challenge – sustaining growth with fewer workers.
13 Mar 2026 - 3:04PM
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Japan
In Japan, video of exhausted Takaichi sparks health fears ahead of US trip
The prime minister is expected to announce Tokyo’s participation in the US’ ‘Golden Dome’ missile defence system when she meets Trump.
13 Mar 2026 - 3:21PM
North Korea
US sanctions 2 firms, 6 individuals for funding North Korean weapons
North Korea-linked IT workers raised nearly US$800 million in 2024 by defrauding or stealing data to blackmail American companies.
13 Mar 2026 - 9:35AM
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South Korea
Too little, too late: South Korea’s Itaewon inquiry lays bare chain of failures
The hearing comes over three years after the tragedy, hindered by political gridlock, accountability disputes and investigative delays.
12 Mar 2026 - 3:43PM
A man pays respects at an altar for the victims of the Itaewon crowd crush on December 29, 2022. Photo: Kyodo
North Korea
Iran may team up again with North Korea to defy ‘gangster-like’ US. Here’s why
North Korea has long been suspected of supplying missile technology to Iran and providing technical help on uranium enrichment.
12 Mar 2026 - 5:42PM
Japan
Japan to release oil reserves as early as Monday
It will release 15 days’ worth of private reserves and a month’s worth of national reserves.
11 Mar 2026 - 8:15PM
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Japan
‘He’s so handsome’: Japan’s youngest governor, 36, sets social media abuzz again
Fans of Takato Ishida continue to swoon over him, even as the Fukui governor has to deal with his predecessor’s sexual harassment scandal.
11 Mar 2026 - 7:01PM
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The Philippines
As US missiles leave South Korea, the Philippines asks: are we next?
South Korea couldn’t stop the pull-out. Now, Manila must figure out if it is indeed a strategic partner or just another supply depot.
11 Mar 2026 - 7:00PM
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Patriot missile launchers are seen deployed at a US military base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, on Sunday. Photo: Yonhap/AFP
South Korea
Jeju Air crash: South Korean auditor says ministry prioritised cost over safety
The audit said the transport ministry allowed 14 non-compliant localiser structures at eight airports to reduce earthwork costs.
11 Mar 2026 - 1:38PM
Earthquakes
On This Day
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Deadly earthquake that claimed thousands of lives in Japan – SCMP archive
On this day 15 years ago, one of the most powerful earthquakes on record triggered a devastating tsunami in Japan, killing more than 18,000.
11 Mar 2026 - 10:30AM
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China energy security
As war on Iran escalates, Asia scrambles to deal with global energy fallout
China, Japan and South Korea have all taken steps to reduce impact of supply shortages – but analysts warn of spillover.
11 Mar 2026 - 11:05AM
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This video grab shows fire erupting at an oil depot in Iran’s capital Tehran after the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran starting on February 28. Photo: AFP
Japan
Japan struggles with rising maintenance costs 15 years after Fukushima disaster
The costs of maintaining public housing for disaster victims and sea walls in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima total over US$923.7 million.
11 Mar 2026 - 9:27AM
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South Korea
South Korea gets wake-up call as US diverts military assets to Middle East
President Lee Jae Myung urges South Korea to boost its own defence amid reports of US military assets being redeployed to the Middle East.
11 Mar 2026 - 5:00PM
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Japan
‘They knew hunger’: Fukushima worker devotes life to abandoned animals
Toru Akama, 63, has helped over a thousand animals, starting with dozens of dogs left behind after the 2011 earthquake-triggered catastrophe.
10 Mar 2026 - 7:46PM
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US, Israel war on Iran
Asia sees violence, fuel rationing, queues as energy crunch over war hits
In Bangladesh a man was killed and the military has been deployed, while lines have formed elsewhere too, as many nations rely on imports.
10 Mar 2026 - 5:59PM
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People wait to refuel their vehicles near a fuel station in Dhaka on Monday. Bangladesh launched fuel rationing on Sunday. Photo: AFP
Korean peninsula
‘Terrible consequences’: North Korea hits out over US-South Korea drills
Sister of North Korean leader says 11-day Freedom Shield exercise to harm regional stability.
10 Mar 2026 - 3:19PM
South Korea
South Korea pulls rare move in bid to shield residents from Iran oil shock
As a nation that imports nearly every drop of oil it consumes, South Korea is hitting the panic button to shield citizens from rising prices.
10 Mar 2026 - 10:19AM
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US, Israel war on Iran
G7 to discuss possible emergency release of oil reserves: French president
Concern is rising about the war and Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which much of the world’s energy supplies pass.
9 Mar 2026 - 8:27PM
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