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Japan
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
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds up her personal pen at a House of Representatives session in November last year. Photo: Kyodo/AP
Sanae Takaichi

Will rice crackers, rock ‘n’ roll help Japan’s Sanae Takaichi bag youth votes?

The social media-savvy prime minister, 64, is surprisingly popular with voters under 30, according to polls.

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US-China relations

Record F-35 deliveries muscle up American allies in the Asia-Pacific region

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Weather

Japan’s deadly winter spurs warnings of more ‘disaster-level’ weather patterns

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Crime in Hong Kong

Are Hong Kong foreign exchange firms secure enough?

After a shocking 51 million yen robbery last week, the South China Morning Post examines the risks in the city’s cash exchange trade.

Hong Kong police have arrested six suspects in connection with a 51 million yen robbery in Sheung Wan. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks gain as tax worries abate, solar sector rallies on Musk plans

‘Broader VAT hikes on private services are unlikely in 2026 and would run counter to reflation efforts,’ Morgan Stanley says.

Sanae Takaichi

As Japan’s Takaichi eyes big election win, will China stance shift?

A solid win will boost Takaichi’s position in foreign affairs but she is unlikely to become more confrontational towards China, analysts say.

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Self-Defence Forces (Japan)

Video | At least 30 killed as blizzards hit Japan

Snow up to 183cm (72 inches) deep accumulated in some areas of Aomori Prefecture.

People commute along a snow-covered street in Aomori City on February 3, 2026. Unusually heavy snow in Japan has been blamed for 30 deaths in the past two weeks, officials said on February 3, including a 91-year-old woman found under a three-metre pile outside her home. (Photo by JIJI Press / AFP) / Japan OUT / JAPAN OUT
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ICBMs

China grows nuclear arsenal as last US-Russia limits expire

President Xi Jinping plans to further expand China’s nuclear weapons stockpile, while caps on US and Russian deployments end this week.

Rare earths

Video | Japan recovers rare earth samples from ocean depths of 6,000 metres (20,000ft)

Japan still relies on China for about 70 per cent of its rare earths, despite continuous efforts to find alternative sources.

SCMP Highlights

Hong Kong-Singapore contrasts, Philippines’ EV race lag: 7 Asia highlights

From a Malaysian minister linking stress and gay people to US-Iran tensions, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

People gather around the Merlion statue at Marina Bay in Singapore. Photo: AFP
United States

Japan’s food exports soar despite US tariffs, China seafood curbs

Global appetites for green tea and beef outweighed trade barriers, pushing farm, fish and forest exports to a record US$11 billion in 2025.

Matcha is added to drinks at a cafe in Los Angeles, California. Matcha, which means “ground tea” in Japanese, comes in the form of a vivid green powder. Photo: AFP
Espionage

‘People are so polite’: why do Russian spies find Japan such an easy target?

A Russian spy, posing as a Ukrainian citizen, used a simple request for directions to trick a local worker into selling industrial secrets.

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Defence

Japan set to revive WWII military titles in controversial shift

While some argue the change aligns Japan with global norms, others say better pay – not historical titles – is what soldiers really need.

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South Korea

‘Lopsided deal’: South Korean trade experts warn against US tariff pressure

Washington’s tariff pressure is aimed at pushing Seoul to ‘move as fast as Japan’ in implementing its promised investments, analysts say.

Protesters shout slogans during a rally against US tariff policies towards South Korea outside the American embassy in Seoul last week. Photo: EPA
China-Russia relations

Could Greenland and Iran have been factors in latest China-Russia talks?

Sunday’s meeting between senior officials saw Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warning against the ‘law of the jungle’.

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Wang Yi and Sergei Shoigu, pictured in Beijing on Sunday. Photo: Xinhua
Tourism

Australian woman dies after getting caught in Japan ski lift

The 22-year-old woman’s backpack buckle got caught on a Nagano ski lift, dragging her and leaving her suspended in mid-air as she tried to get off.

China manufacturing

Stern rebuke: China shrugs off 2025 US threats to anchor shipbuilding dominance

Despite a market share dip, Chinese yards extend their commanding lead in key indicators, as high exports and lengthy backlogs signal resilience despite rivals’ gains.

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Viral stories

Japan calls for action on GPS stalking after woman allegedly murdered by ex via device in toy

Pregnant 31-year-old manicurist beaten and stabbed to death in own home; police arrest suspect after viewing surveillance footage.

Concerns are rising in Japan over safety measures against GPS stalking after a pregnant woman was allegedly killed by her ex-boyfriend who tracked her to her home. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/YouTube
Rare earths

Japan retrieves rare earth-rich mud from 6,000 metres under the sea

The mud, sucked up near remote Minamitori Island, will be analysed to see whether its rare earths can be commercially tapped.

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Shinzo Abe

Do voters expect smiles? Why masks hurt female politicians in Japan

While there was no decline in support for masked male politicians, their female counterparts saw a significant drop, the survey showed.

Asia elections

Japan’s Takaichi seeks mandate, improved majority with snap election: poll

The election outlook remains uncertain, with almost a quarter of voters undecided ahead of the February 8 election.

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Japan’s Prime Minister and President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Sanae Takaichi (centre) delivers a speech during the House of Representatives election campaign in Kani, Gifu prefecture on Sunday. Photo: AFP
China’s military drills

PLA Navy warns off foreign jets with jamming missiles near Taiwan: CCTV

State broadcaster says Yanan destroyer encountered aircraft near the island and took ‘electronic countermeasures’.

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The PLA destroyer Yanan fires electronic jamming missiles in “waters near Taiwan island”, to warn off foreign aircraft. Photo: CCTV
China economy

Opinion | Why China’s persistently low inflation is not all bad news

For investors and policymakers, the key takeaway is what that outcome shows about the economy’s capacity to absorb shocks while rebalancing.

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China-Philippines relations

Asian Angle | South China Sea: 6 risks facing Philippines, China as conflict threshold lowers

From violent incidents to US missiles in Luzon, a ‘perilous new normal’ and vanishing red lines threaten to derail the Code of Conduct.

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China travel

As diplomatic row drags on, how is Japan coping with a fall in Chinese tourists?

Chinese tourism to Japan has plunged amid a diplomatic feud. But Japan’s travel sector is holding up – and its airlines have even made some gains.

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Tourists carrying suitcases walk through Toky’s Ginza shopping district. Chinese travel to Japan has plunged amid a diplomatic row over Taiwan. Photo: EPA
China travel

China’s visa-free waivers spark Korean travel boom, underpin tourism revival

Shanghai bookings surge as visitors flock to cosmopolitan streets and affordable dining, with analysts predicting the trend will spread inland.

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A food seller prepares dishes at a restaurant in Shanghai on January 21. Photo: AFP
Britain

Japan, UK agree outer space, critical mineral supply chains collaboration

PMs Sanae Takaichi and Keir Starmer also said they’d work together in other areas, including cybersecurity, trade and defence.

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Sanae Takaichi

Macroscope | Could Japan stop being the ballast of the bond market?

A lower house election victory would give flight to Prime Minister Takaichi’s fiscal expansionism – and introduce upheaval far beyond Japan.

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