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The latest breaking news and stories on Japan, a country in East Asia known as a constitutional monarchy, and the world’s fifth largest economy. Also covering Japan’s relationship with China and Asia, plus commentary and updates on Japan’s economy, politics, society and trade.
Capital
Tokyo
Head of State
Emperor Naruhito
Head of Government
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida
Fumio Kishida
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s trip to this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue marks his fourth visit to the Indo-Pacific region as Pentagon chief. Photo: Reuters
2026 Xi-Trump summit

What to watch at Shangri-La Dialogue after Trump’s China visit resets ties

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth’s speech at Asian security forum to serve as important gauge of whether summit has stabilised US-China relations.

Sanae Takaichi

Japan enacts law centralising intelligence gathering

Food and Drinks

Your Hong Kong weekend drinks guide for May 29-31

Defence

Russia’s military activity has Japan fearing a dual-front war

Japan scrambled its fighter jets 448 times in nine months last year. Most of the intercepts involved Russian or Chinese aircraft.

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F-15J Eagle fighter aircraft of the Japan Air Self-Defence Force prepare for take-off at Chitose Air Base, Hokkaido prefecture, in 2017. Photo: AFP
China’s military drills

Type 054B frigate makes carrier force debut with Liaoning for live-fire drills

No sign of J-35 stealth fighter but the PLA Navy’s newest and most advanced frigate makes its carrier force debut.

Space

Japan eyes new rules to curb US, China and Russia space arms race

Japan is ‘best placed’ to establish new rules given its space capabilities and strong support for nuclear non-proliferation, analysts say.

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China-North Korea relations

A quiet reset in ties is brewing along the China-North Korea border

The resumption of train routes and a spike in overland trade underscore a reset in ties ahead of a reported leaders’ summit.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Luxury Spend It

The fountain pen’s unlikely second act, from status symbol to self-care tool

In an era of touchscreens and ballpoints, the fountain pen – used by the likes of Winston Churchill and Sean Connery – is quietly booming thanks to journaling and Gen Z fans.

Diplomacy

Opinion | The 4 trilateral frameworks defining northeast Asia future

As great-power bargaining between the US, China and Russia collides with three regional triangles, finding a balance will be key to managing competition.

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US-China relations

China’s Wang Yi tells UN multilateralism must be protected in swipe at US

Beijing’s top diplomat says ‘world peace and security are in great jeopardy’ and that UN Charter should be safeguarded at all costs.

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks to reporters at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Tuesday. Photo: AP
US-China relations

Quad foreign ministers fight for relevance as leaders’ summit remains elusive

Critical minerals and Indo-Pacific security took centre stage amid doubts over US commitment and a delayed leaders’ summit.

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From left: Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pose in New Delhi at a meeting of Quad foreign ministers. Photo: Kyodo
India

As Marco Rubio visits New Delhi, what could it mean for US-India ties?

The US secretary of state’s trip aims to mend bilateral relationship, focusing on trade, defence and Quad unity.

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Tokyo

Japan baseball manager quits after arrest over alleged assault on daughter

The Japanese baseball team’s manager allegedly grabbed the 18-year-old and forced her to the floor at their Tokyo home.

NHK

Top baseball boss resigns after arrest amid ChatGPT-assisted child welfare report

Shinnosuke Abe, the manager of Yomiuri Giants, accused of forcing 18-year-old daughter to floor while trying to solve fight between siblings.

Yomiuri Giants are one of the biggest teams in Japan. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

Marcos’ historic Japan trip: what will Philippine leader seek from Takaichi?

Japan is a key counterweight for the Philippines to deal with its maritime challenges in the South China Sea, analysts say.

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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (left) shakes hands with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr ahead of their talks in Kuala Lumpur in October last year. Photo: Kyodo
US-China relations

Why the US missile system heading to Japan could be a ‘sitting duck’ for China

This approach could be used ‘to strike our land-based targets on one hand, and block vital maritime passages on the other’: Chinese analyst.

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Defence

Why a 2-year US missile delay could expose a ‘serious contradiction’ with Japan

Analysts said any delay could hinder Tokyo’s defence build-up but also open the door for Japanese firms to produce more US-designed weapons.

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Science

Chip prodigy Da Bo returns to China after his role in TSMC’s 3nm plant in Japan

The acclaimed researcher’s goal is to bring Chinese semiconductor equipment, materials and components up to global standards.

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After working on the frontline of computer chip development in Japan, a Chinese researcher is taking his skills home to China. Photo: Shutterstock
Tokyo

19 taken to hospital in Japan after suspected tear gas released in Tokyo mall

More than 50 emergency vehicles were activated after police received a call about an irritating smell and people coughing inside the mall.

Asia housing and property

The View | The 2 main sources of resilience in Asian real estate

The shock absorbers of supply constraints, a flight to quality, the search for safe havens and domestic demand provide a robust base.

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Food and Drinks

Founder of Japan’s 7-Eleven chain Toshifumi Suzuki dies aged 93

The ‘father of the convenience store’ was the first to come up with the idea of selling onigiri at 7-Eleven outlets.

Toshifumi Suzuki, former president of 7-Eleven, reacts during an interview in Tokyo on June 8, 2023. Photo: Kyodo/AP
China consumption

China sales hold up as European luxury brands warn of Iran war impact

While LVMH, Hermes and Prada recorded increased sales in Chinese market, Kering reported a decline.

A Labubu toy hangs from a bidder’s Hermes bag at an auction by Yongle International Auction in Beijing in June last year. Photo: Reuters
Tokyo

Dozens injured in Japan after man sprays mystery liquid in Tokyo shopping centre

An elderly woman said her throat started ‘stinging and hurting’ as she approached the ATM where the liquid had been sprayed.

My Take

My Take | To understand the great Asia-Pacific power struggle, just look at the map

The United States’ anti-communist containment strategy dates back to its occupation of Japan and shortly after its decolonisation of the Philippines. This strategy is today more active than ever.

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Hong Kong transport

Exclusive | Hong Kong airport set for volume shift after flights rejigged amid fuel crisis

Some airlines say they will operate all scheduled flights beyond June after initial consolidation efforts to offset higher jet fuel prices.

According to data from analytics company Cirium, the aviation industry managed disruptions through capacity changes made months in advance rather than opting for last-minute cancellations. Photo: Elson Li
Mainland China

Open Questions | Stable US-China ties? It won’t last long, Evan Medeiros says

After Trump’s China trip, political scientist gives his assessment on Taiwan, trade leverage, the Iran war and Beijing’s tensions with Tokyo.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
China’s military drills

Breaking the chain? Why Hainan holds the key to survival for China’s carriers

Sanya naval complex in country’s island province gives warships room to manoeuvre and counter US first island chain, report says.

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Social media

Japan to scour social media in hunt for visa overstayers, illegal workers

The Immigration Services Agency also plans to crack down on individuals who employ foreign workers without valid visas.

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