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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.
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, pictured soon after being re-elected in February, has sought to cultivate a close relationship with US President Donald Trump amid Japan-China tension. Photo: Kyodo via Reuters
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

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China-Japan relations

Tokyo releases captain of Chinese fishing boat found in Japanese EEZ

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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’s Fisheries Agency says this photo taken on February 12 shows a patrol vessel, Hakuo Maru (left), and a Chinese fishing vessel sailing within Japan’s exclusive economic zone off Nagasaki prefecture. Photo: AFP
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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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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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’s volatile Japan ties
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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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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Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during an event earlier this month. Wong has noted that Japan seems inclined to stabilise ties with China and not escalate matters. Photo: EPA/Singapore’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information
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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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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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has said that the use of force against Taiwan could be seen as a “survival-threatening situation”, which would allow Japan to deploy its military forces. Photo: Kyodo
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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Xiang Yang Hong 3, a Chinese survey ship prepares to sail. A similar vessel, Xiang Yang Hong 22, has reportedly crossed what Japan claims is the median line in the East China Sea in recent days. Photo: Weibo/战刀007
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.

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.

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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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A commentary in China’s PLA Daily has accused Tokyo of rolling back post-war restrictions using US support. Photo: EPA-EFE
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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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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A Chinese maritime surveillance vessel and a Japanese ship pass near the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea. Photo: Kyodo
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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Japan

Explosion rocks US airbase in Japan’s Okinawa; 4 injured

Four soldiers suffered injuries to their fingers while working at a US airbase that stores unexploded bombs.

Japan

China’s overtures a ‘pointed signal’ to stabilise ties with Japan: analysts

Beijing has recently removed controversial maritime buoys, eased a politically charged seafood import ban and appeared to temper its rhetoric.

Shoppers examine seafood at a fish store in Tokyo, Japan. China and Japan have agreed on procedures to resume exports of Japanese seafood, 22 months after Beijing imposed a blanket ban on the products. Photo: EPA-EFE
Japan

China’s ‘incremental’ moves in disputed waters spark concern in Japan

China could gain control of more undersea resources, change status quo with suspected construction of new offshore platform, analysts say.

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The Zhenhua 30, a 297.6-metre-long heavy lift vessel, was one of two Chinese ships spotted 345km northwest of Kume Island in Japan’s Okinawa prefecture. Photo: Handout
Japan

Why Japan’s coastguard has a recruitment problem

The manpower shortage comes as Japan continues to clash with China over their rival territorial claims, such as in the Diaoyu Islands.

Japan

Will war break out in Asia? Survey shows more Japanese fear it is ‘likely’

Conflict in Ukraine and the growing assertiveness of China and North Korea are among the reasons for growing public anxiety, analysts say.

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