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A naval vessel sails in the Strait of Hormuz on March 1. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS
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.

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North Korea

North Korea launches 10 missiles as South Korea, US conduct military exercises

US, Israel war on Iran

More than 2,000 Marines leave Japan for Middle East as Iran war intensifies

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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.

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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
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.

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.

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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.

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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
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.

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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.

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.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un drives a launcher vehicle during a presentation ceremony for 600mm-calibre rocket launchers on February 18. Photo: KCNA/EPA
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.

A man pays respects at an altar for the victims of the Itaewon crowd crush on December 29, 2022. Photo: Kyodo
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.

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.

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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.

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Left: Takato Ishida, the 36-year-old governor of Fukui, attends a session of the prefectural assembly. Right: Ishida attending the Special Committee on Anti-Harassment on Monday. Photos: Instagram / ishida.takato
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.

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Patriot missile launchers are seen deployed at a US military base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, on Sunday. Photo: Yonhap/AFP
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.

Earthquakes

On This Day | 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.

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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.

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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
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.

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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.

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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.

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Former nuclear plant worker Toru Akama cuddles a cat at his animal shelter in Fukushima prefecture. Photo: AFP
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.

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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
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.

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.

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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.

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Cars line up at a gas station in Seoul, South Korea, on Sunday as oil prices surge due to the intensifying conflict in the Middle East. Photo: EPA
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