https://www.scmp.com/rss/524596/feed The latest news and top stories on Junichiro Koizumi, former Prime Minister of Japan. Known for his reformist agenda, he served as Prime Minister from 2001 to 2006. He spearheaded significant economic reforms including privatising the postal service, tackling bad bank debts and reducing government spending. He also expanded the Japan Self-Defense Forces' scope and strengthened ties with the United States. His tenure saw efforts to revitalise Japan's economy and challenge traditional political... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Raissa Robles Raissa Robles As Japanese combat troops prepare to join war games in the Philippines next month – their first return to Philippine soil since 1945 – some Filipinos say the real issue is not only what Japan is doing now, but what it still has not fully reckoned with from the past. For survivors, activists and historians, Tokyo’s expanding security role in the Philippines has revived what one campaigner called “the elephant in the room” – the absence, in their view, of a formal state apology and official... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3348443/japans-wartime-past-weighs-growing-military-role-philippines?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3348443/japans-wartime-past-weighs-growing-military-role-philippines?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:13 +0000 Dewey Sim Dewey Sim In the days that followed Japanese leader Sanae Takaichi’s controversial remarks over Taiwan in November, Beijing convened a rare meeting with Southeast Asian envoys to rally regional support for its campaign against Japan – but that effort has so far gained little traction. Multiple sources familiar with the matter told the South China Morning Post that China had summoned most Southeast Asian ambassadors or their deputies late last year, framing the meeting as a channel to hear the region’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3342540/china-rallies-neighbours-against-japan-rare-meeting-will-it-work?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3342540/china-rallies-neighbours-against-japan-rare-meeting-will-it-work?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Feb 2026 01:00:18 +0000 Lijia Zhang Lijia Zhang During a trip home, I took my daughters to the Nanking massacre memorial hall. It is not an easy place to visit. In shadowy rooms, photographs of victims line the walls. The names of the dead stretch across black stone. In glass cases lie bones unearthed from mass graves. I wanted my children to learn history honestly, to understand what war does to people. I shared stories my grandma had told me: as she fled town, a bomb fell on a nearby street. One neighbour vanished. Only bits of her remained... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3335767/only-true-repentance-japan-can-resolve-east-asias-memory-wars?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3335767/only-true-repentance-japan-can-resolve-east-asias-memory-wars?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 Dec 2025 21:30:09 +0000 Xinlu Liang Xinlu Liang China has offered its condolences on the passing of Tomiichi Murayama, a former Japanese prime minister who gave a landmark statement expressing “deep remorse” at the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. Murayama, who led Japan from June 1994 to January 1996, died on Friday at the age of 101. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian on Friday conveyed “deep condolences” and “sincere sympathies” to Murayama’s family. “Mr Murayama was China’s old friend,” Lin said. “He will always be... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3329460/china-hails-ex-japanese-pm-tomiichi-murayama-who-stated-deep-remorse-over-wwii?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3329460/china-hails-ex-japanese-pm-tomiichi-murayama-who-stated-deep-remorse-over-wwii?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Oct 2025 12:49:31 +0000 Julian Ryall Julian Ryall The race to see who will head Japan’s ruling party – which will also determine the country’s next prime minister – has veered off course, with one contender mired in a scandal over orchestrated online praise and another facing accusations of xenophobia over remarks about foreigners kicking sacred deer. The internal election for leadership of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), scheduled for Saturday, has quickly crystallised into a two-way battle between Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, a... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3327458/scandals-gaffes-mar-japans-ldp-leadership-race-they-have-no-policies?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3327458/scandals-gaffes-mar-japans-ldp-leadership-race-they-have-no-policies?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Oct 2025 02:00:18 +0000 Maria Siow Maria Siow As Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party begins the process of selecting a new leader – and by extension, the country’s next prime minister – the race is quickly shaping into a duel between a conservative heir to Shinzo Abe’s legacy and a reformist standard-bearer promising broader appeal within the divided party. The party’s internal election on October 4 follows Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s resignation after barely a year in office, with the winner expected to assume leadership through a... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3327041/japans-next-leader-ldp-showdown-pits-abe-protege-against-reformist-scion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3327041/japans-next-leader-ldp-showdown-pits-abe-protege-against-reformist-scion?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Sep 2025 00:00:14 +0000 Brian Rhoads,Raymond Ma Brian Rhoads,Raymond Ma China hawk Sanae Takaichi and the youthful Shinjiro Koizumi are among leading contenders to become Japan’s next prime minister in a race that could shift the nation rightward and lead to tougher policies towards Beijing. Takaichi, 64, who could become Japan’s first female prime minister, and Koizumi, 44, are leading public opinion polls as the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) seeks a new leader. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba resigned on Sunday after less than a year in office. The change of... https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3324878/japan-china-thaw-jeopardy-pm-ishiba-steps-down?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3324878/japan-china-thaw-jeopardy-pm-ishiba-steps-down?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 09 Sep 2025 09:00:23 +0000