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Diaoyu Islands
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Diaoyu Islands

Diaoyu Islands
Diaoyu Islands
The Diaoyu Islands are a group of uninhabited islands located roughly due east of mainland China, northeast of Taiwan, west of Okinawa Island, and north of the southwestern end of the Ryukyu Islands. They are currently controlled by Japan, which calls them Senkaku Islands. Both China and Taiwan claim sovereignty over the islands.
A Japanese research vessel leaves a port in Shizuoka prefecture to collect rare earth mud off Minamitorishima Island in January. Photo: Kyodo
Japan

To cut reliance on China, Japan eyes bespoke ship for rare earth extraction

Tokyo also aims to become a major global supplier despite the project facing technological, cost and geopolitical hurdles.

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China trade

Sino-Japanese relations

The Philippines

Philippines shifts defence strategy with Japan, eyes wider security focus

China-Japan relations

Is Japan’s treaty-day Taiwan Strait warship transit a new flashpoint with China?

The JS Ikazuchi’s passage through the waterway on Friday ‘harmed the feelings of the Chinese people’.

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The JS Ikazuchi passed through the Taiwan Strait on the anniversary of the 895 Treaty of Shimonoseki or Treaty of Maguan. Photo: Handout
China-Japan relations

The next frontier: China maps seabed resources as Japan races to tap rare earths

Atlas charts location, concentration and distribution patterns of dozens of elements in seabed sediments.

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China-Japan relations

‘Uncompromising’: Takaichi’s meeting with Trump seen as key to China-Japan ties

Neither Tokyo nor Beijing has enough incentive to compromise, observers say, signalling a new reality between Asian giants.

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Two Sessions 2026

Why China’s new 5-year plan targets stronger policing of disputed waters

Focus on maritime law enforcement believed to highlight growing challenges facing Beijing, particularly in the South China Sea.

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A law enforcer on a China Coast Guard vessel observes Philippine boats in a disputed area of the South China Sea in February. Photo: Handout via Xinhua
China-Japan relations

Tokyo releases captain of Chinese fishing boat found in Japanese EEZ

Zheng Nianli freed after China files bail payment guarantees, broadcaster NHK reports.

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China-Japan relations

Beijing and Tokyo in maritime stand-off after Japan seizes Chinese boat, captain

Beijing urges Tokyo to protect Chinese crew members’ rights after incident off southwestern Nagasaki prefecture.

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Japan

Why more Japanese than ever support strengthening the military

A record-high survey result reflects how the war in Ukraine and regional tensions have reshaped Japan’s once cautious security outlook.

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A launch ceremony for the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force’s newly built submarine Sogei at a Kawasaki Heavy Industries shipyard in Kobe, western Japan, on October 14, 2025. Photo: Kyodo
China-Japan relations

Beijing hits back at ‘extremely hypocritical’ critics of drills around Taiwan

Japan, Australia, Britain and the EU express concern about live-fire and blockade exercises around island.

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The Japanese government reportedly expressed concern to Beijing over conducted around Taiwan on Monday and Tuesday. Photo: AFP
China-Japan relations

China’s volatile Japan ties

China and Japan have built deep economic links, while also still having regular diplomatic rows. The latest blow-up came after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in November that the nation’s military forces could potentially be deployed in the event of a Taiwan conflict.

China-Japan relations

Chinese and Japanese coastguard ships confront each other near disputed islands

The incident comes at a time of heightened tension after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi angered Beijing with her comments on Taiwan.

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US-China relations

China, US hold ‘candid’ security talks amid Japan, South China Sea tensions

Second meeting under Trump 2.0 marks latest effort from both sides to maintain military communication despite tensions over multiple issues.

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Super Hornet fighter jets take off from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, in the South China Sea on June 5. Beijing has previously blamed frequent US military deployments as the “root cause” of maritime security problems. Photo: Handout
China-Japan relations

For Chinese in Japan, life goes on – but with an eye on public sentiment

Chinese report little visible protest activity to date but memories of 2012 China-Japan tension over disputed Diaoyu Islands linger.

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Experts and Chinese on the ground in Japan say China-Japan tension has not reached the heights of 2012 when the two countries were in a row over the Diaoyu Islands. Photo: AP
Singapore

Singapore PM hopes China, Japan ‘find ways to resolve’ Taiwan Strait row

Lawrence Wong cites the example of Southeast Asia and Japan, who have ‘put history aside’ and are moving forward.

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China travel

Drop in Chinese tourists could cost Japan US$9.59 billion: economist

Beijing has urged Chinese citizens to refrain from travelling to Japan following comments about Taiwan by new Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi.

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China-Japan relations

Will China ramp up military activity near Japan over Takaichi’s comments?

PLA activities near the disputed Diaoyus possible if tensions over Japanese leader’s Taiwan remarks escalate, analysts say.

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The Diaoyu Islands, known as the Senkakus in Japan, have long been a source of tensions between Tokyo and Beijing. Photo: Kyodo
China-Japan relations

Japan risks ‘path of no return’ if it intervenes in Taiwan, PLA Daily warns

Strongly worded commentary in China’s military mouthpiece comes as several ministries issue travel warnings against Japan in deepening row.

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Japan

Where is Japan’s EEZ? Tokyo’s complaint over Chinese ship marks unresolved issue

A Chinese survey ship has reportedly entered Japanese waters in the East China Sea over three days in the past week.

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Japan

Protests over Japan-US military drills in Okinawa expose domestic rifts

While Japan’s defence minister has condemned the protests, a governor says the US military presence places a huge burden on Okinawa.

The Marine Air Defence Integrated System (left and centre), and the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System at a camp on Ishigaki in Okinawa deployed for the 2025 Resolute Dragon Japan-US joint drills. Photo: Kyodo
Japan

‘Behind the curve’: Japan adopts US drones to counter intrusions

US-built SeaGuardian drones promise 40-hour patrols of disputed waters as Japan aims to reduce costly fighter jet scrambles.

Japan reportedly plans to carry out operational tests of MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones next year. Photo: Handout
China-Japan relations

On WWII anniversary, China’s PLA says Japan never abandoned military power dream

PLA Daily commentary criticises Tokyo’s plan to raise defence spending to 2% of GDP, breaking a long-standing 1% ceiling.

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Japan

‘Pattern emerging’: is China intentionally provoking Japan with close fly-bys?

Such moves signal to Japan that China is willing to monitor and challenge Japanese activities in areas it considers to be its territory, analysts warn.

Japan

Why Japan just tested a missile on its own turf for the first time

Driven by concerns over China’s military might and North Korea’s provocations, Japan is moving towards greater defence self-sufficiency.

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A Type-88 missile is test launched from an anti-aircraft firing range in Shinhidaka on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido on June 24. Photo: Japan Ground Self-Defence Force / AFP
Japan

Is Japan facing higher risk of drone warfare over Diaoyu Islands?

Japan has said its military could shoot down foreign drones flying over its territory, days after a Chinese-made drone entered its airspace.

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A Chinese military drone spotted near the Japanese islands of Okinawa and Miyakojima in 2023. Photo: Japan’s defence ministry
Japan

Japan flags record 216 days of Chinese ships near disputed islands

The unprecedented streak of Chinese vessel sightings was capped off by four coastguard vessels that were observed on Sunday, Tokyo said.

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Japan

Japan’s ex-army chief sees China preparing for East China Sea landing operation

Kiyofumi Iwata points to Beijing’s growing military preparations and incursions in the East China Sea as signs of a potential landing operation.

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