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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 Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and South Korea's Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back pose after playing table tennis at the headquarters of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, in Yokosuka District, Tokyo, January 30, 2026. Eugene Hoshiko/Pool via REUTERS
South Korea

Video | South Korea and Japan’s defence ministers face off in table tennis

The defence ministers of Japan and South Korea agreed to strengthen cooperation with the United States amid growing security risks, particularly with North Korea.

Defence

Japan and South Korea bolster defence ties amid regional tensions

Cambodia

Base instincts: why US warship visit won’t calm fears over Cambodian port

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SCMP Highlights

China’s ‘gold fever’ sparks scandal, tourist drought in Japan: 7 highlights

From China’s ‘gold fever’ sparking scandal to a tourist drought, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

A shopkeeper adjusts gold bracelets at a jewellery mall in Shanghai, China, on January 27. Photo: Reuters
Crime

Brazen nighttime robbery: Tokyo gang flees with US$2.7 million in cash

One of the victims, a Chinese national, was allegedly attacked with pepper spray by the group before escaping with the bags.

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks end 7-day rally as investors resort to profit-taking

Despite the setback, the Hang Seng Index is set for its best monthly performance since September 2025.

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China economy

Opinion | Fears of overcapacity ignore China’s full balance of payments picture

The right question to ask is whether China’s overall current account represents a destabilising imbalance that siphons growth from trading partners.

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People shop at an international duty free shopping centre in Haikou, Hainan province, on December 18, 2025. Photo: Xinhua
Mental health

Japan child suicides reach record high as experts warn of mounting pressures

The rise in child deaths contrasts with a broader decline in suicides, prompting scrutiny of school pressure and mental health support.

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong travellers continue to favour Japan despite geopolitical tensions

Flights from city to Japan remain unaffected while weaker currency is attracting Hongkongers to the popular destination.

Hong Kong economy

Pawsitively posh: Hong Kong Pet Show takes luxury to new heights

More than 1,000 exhibitors at Hong Kong Pet Show, with global pet economy on track to hit US$134.46 billion this year amid sustained growth.

A photo spot styled as an old-fashioned Hong Kong cha chaan teng at the show. Photo: Karma Lo
Trade

Macroscope | Trump weaponises trade as globalisation becomes more fractured

As recognised by Canada, the fracturing of the global economy is in full swing. Policymakers and businesses should expect it to continue.

Shipping containers are stacked at a port in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on August 1, 2025. While the unravelling of globalisation has been a major theme for some time, the primacy of national security and geopolitics is a relatively new phenomenon that is reshaping the global economy and markets. Photo: AFP
SCMP Highlights

Japan’s love for Chinese noodles; ‘unlucky’ chocolate: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From AI’s predictions for the Year of the Horse to an ‘unlucky’ chocolate mahjong set, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong customs seizes 14,080 smuggled slimming injections bound for Macau

Bust announced after SCMP investigation found prescription-only slimming injections sold online and at a local pharmacy without a doctor’s approval.

Crime

Japan’s ‘new-wave yakuza’: tokuryu gangs take control of lucrative sex business

The arrest of a leader of Japan’s largest tokuryu has put the spotlight on how the gangs are edging out the yakuza and worrying the police.

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Pedestrians walk past an entrance at Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo. Natural, a leading tokuryu criminal group, started its operations in the nightlife district in 2019. Photo: EPA-EFE
Asean

Just 1 visa to rule them all? How European-style pass could help Asean tourism

While Asean members such as Malaysia and Vietnam have shown strong post-pandemic growth, tourist numbers have lagged in the Philippines.

Tourists have fun in the Cambugahay Falls on the Philippine island of Siquijor on December 10 last year. Photo: AFP

Child suicides in Japan rise to highest level since 1980

The deaths exceeded 500 for the second consecutive year despite a national decline in suicides.

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Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks rise for seventh day, briefly cross 28,000 mark

Zijin, CNOOC, PetroChina, Longfor and China Overseas Land lift Hang Seng Index from early slump.

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Defence

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
North Korea

Will North Korea compensate Japanese citizens lured into ‘paradise on Earth’?

A Tokyo court has ordered Pyongyang to pay damages, but the plaintiffs are now bracing for a long fight to enforce the ruling.

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United States

US Treasury chief Bessent warns Canada on trade fights, slams EU-India deal

Official urges calm from Ottawa ahead of trade talks, says EU put trade ahead of Ukraine by easing pressure on India over Russian oil.

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South Korea

Why US defence strategy may hurt leaders in South Korea, Japan

The National Defence Strategy states that the US will provide ‘more limited’ support to its allies in line with the ‘America-first’ policy.

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A US B-1B bomber, South Korean F-15K, Japanese F-2, and US F-16 jets fly in a joint drill over Jeju Island, South Korea, in 2024. Photo: AFP/US Air Force/South Korea’s defence ministry
Luxury in China

As LVMH returns to growth, is the slump in China’s luxury market finally over?

LVMH saw its sales in China rise in the second half of 2025, as the vast Chinese luxury market shows signs of recovery.

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Two shoppers view the handbags they just bought at a Louis Vuitton store in Shanghai. China’s luxury market is showing signs of recovery after a sharp decline in sales in 2024. Photo: Getty Images
Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks maintain momentum to hit 4.5-year high

Busy Ming Group, China’s largest snack and drinks retailer, gains 69 per cent on its Hong Kong debut.

Tourism

Why Japan’s public is ‘happy’ to see a Chinese tourist drought

Travel operators say business has so far remained resilient, with strong demand from other parts of Asia, Europe and the US.

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North Korea

North Korea fires ballistic missiles as US signals defence shift

As the Trump administration seeks to focus on the US homeland, it is urging South Korea to take the primary role in deterring Pyongyang.

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A television screen showing a news broadcast with file footage of a North Korean missile test at a railway station in Seoul on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
Artificial intelligence

DeepSeek taps Alibaba open-source AI technology to boost OCR performance

The Chinese AI start-up says its latest OCR model delivers stronger performance after adopting an Alibaba-developed open-source model.

The update underscores the growing role of China’s open-source ecosystem in advancing domestic AI development. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong entertainment

What were lead singer Rosé’s local snack choices at Blackpink’s Hong Kong shows?

Classic street foods take the spotlight as K-pop star samples local favourites throughout the group’s world tour finale at Kai Tak Stadium.

China-Japan relations

Ties will collapse if US forces are hit in Taiwan and Tokyo won’t act: Takaichi

‘We would respond strictly within the limits of the law,’ Japanese PM says, elaborating on remarks that angered Beijing in November.

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