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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
Louis Vuitton’s watering can bag sprinkles novelty on luxury. Photo: Handout
China’s private sector

Splashing out: how much would you expect to pay for LV’s latest quirky man bag?

Offbeat designs may not drive sales, but they sharpen brand identity and attract individuality-seeking buyers, analysts say.

On Our Radar

Greg Girard’s photo exhibition shows five decades of Hong Kong and Tokyo

Pacific nations

Solomon Islands residents live in fear of WWII bomb explosions

US, Israel war on Iran

Editorial | Trump’s Iran address fails to set minds at ease or clearly signal direction

The Iran war is a wake-up call to many countries about their overdependence on the US for security.

US President Donald Trump points after speaking in a televised address to the nation on the conflict in the Middle East from the Cross Hall of the White House in Washington on April 1. Photo: AFP
Food and Drinks

A shaman told him to quit coffee. Now he runs a successful matcha brand

Rocky Xu, who started Rocky’s Matcha in 2022, focuses on selling quality, authentic Japanese tea rather than trying to be a viral sensation.

China-Middle East relations

China’s Iran war strategy, Trump’s Hormuz ask: 7 global relations reads

From a China-Israel call on Iran to an unlikely nuclear deal, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in March 2026.

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Hong Kong economy

Looking for Easter holiday inspiration? Here’s what’s happening in Hong Kong

From a coffee festival to a Doraemon show, there’s plenty to do and see for both residents and visitors over the long weekend break.

Coffee Hong Kong 2026 is brewing at the West Kowloon Cultural District. Photo: Sam Tsang
Middle East

Macron says military operation to ‘liberate’ Strait of Hormuz ‘unrealistic’

Such an operation would take excessive time and expose those crossing the strait to ‘coastal threats’.

War and conflict

Opinion | Iran war is changing East Asia’s energy and strategic plays

States like China and Russia that can provide energy, industrial inputs, strategic reassurance or room for manoeuvre are gaining weight.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Trump’s ex-China mineral-alliance plan faces cost surge amid Iran war oil shock

Analysts say Middle East turmoil is elevating commodity input costs, affecting processing efforts and prompting push for ‘friendshoring’ to secure resources.

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US President Donald Trump, seen here at the White House on Wednesday, said attacks on Iran could continue for the next two to three weeks. Photo: AP
Asean

How Asean’s neutral stance in Iran war protects its energy security

Granting Southeast Asian vessels safe passage through the strait allows Iran to come across as a diplomatic good guy, analysts say.

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An oil tanker sits anchored off Muscat, Oman, on March 10. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong society

Letters | Hong Kong needs to start charging all bus passengers by distance

Readers discuss the decision to revise the HK$2 public transport fare scheme, and the potential of student clubs at universities.

Indonesia

Indonesia earthquake kills 1, triggers tsunami waves

The 7.4-magnitude quake hit at a depth of 35km in the Northern Maluku Sea off ⁠Indonesia’s Ternate island.

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Defence

Why Japan’s advanced fighter project may get Canadian tailwinds

With Ottawa’s interest in the stealth fighter, Tokyo hopes the multinational project for its air force’s modernisation can regain momentum.

A concept design of the Global Combat Air Programme sixth-generation fighter jet displayed at the 2024 Farnborough International Air Show. Photo: AFP
Mainland China

Japan, France to draw road map for supply of critical minerals

It aims to lower their high dependency on China, which mines about 70 per cent of the world’s supply and refines some 90 per cent.

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French President Emmanuel Macron (left) and Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi exchange documents during a signing ceremony at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo on April 1, 2026. Photo: AFP
China-Japan relations

Chinese navy arrives in Sea of Japan just as Tokyo deploys long-range missiles

Five ships transit Tsushima Strait and are tracked heading northeast after China warned of strong response to ‘neo-militarism’.

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China energy security

Australia and Japan face jet fuel supply crunch as China cuts exports

Both Australia and Japan are heavily reliant on Chinese jet fuel, but shipments have plunged in recent weeks amid the Iran war.

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Trending in China

Japan solo dining chain gains popularity in China; lengthy wait times lead to scalpers

Mainland diners seek out eating outlets which block the prying eyes of strangers; offer complete isolation to enjoy ‘private moments’.

Sushiro, Japan’s solo dining sushi chain, has surged in popularity in mainland China, causing waiting times to exceed five hours and people to pay scalpers for queue spots to cut waiting time. Photo: SCMP composite/RedNote
Defence

Businesses, smokers burnt by Japan’s record US$8 billion defence budget

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has pledged to increase defence spending to 2 per cent of Japan’s gross domestic product.

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong, mainland China join Asia stock rally amid Iran war optimism

Hang Seng Index caps its biggest gain in a week after Trump says US will end strikes on Iran, boosting hopes the conflict is close to ending.

Diplomacy

Japan races to limit fallout from Chinese embassy break-in

Chinese state media seized on the breach as proof of Japan’s militarism and ‘rampant far-right ideology’.

A policeman stands guard at an entrance to the Chinese embassy in Tokyo on March 25. Photo: AFP
Tourism

Litterbugs in Shibuya to be fined on the spot as visitor numbers surge

The initiative, which will see offenders fined US$12.50, reflects a broader rethink of the ward’s earlier decision to remove public rubbish bins.

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Aluminium cans, bottles, and other trash stashed next to a vending machine in Shibuya. Photo: Shutterstock
Crime

Japan rape accuser condemns prosecution’s failure to protect victims

The victim, a prosecutor herself, in 2024 accused Osaka’s then-top prosecutor of raping her 6 years ago.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong exporter confidence falls at steepest rate in 2 years

Trade Development Council says for first quarter of 2026, current performance index fell to 46.5 from 51.4 while expectation index declined to 46.9 from 51.9.

Semiconductors

South Korea turns to Russia for naphtha as Asia’s chip industry feels squeeze

South Korea’s return to Russian naphtha – vital for semiconductor manufacturing – highlights Asia’s fragile supply chain amid Iran conflict.

South Korea relies on imports for about 45 per cent of its naphtha demand. Photo: Shutterstock
China-Japan relations

Japan has enough plutonium to make 5,500 nuclear warheads, PLA Daily says

China’s military mouthpiece claims Tokyo has ‘astonishing’ stockpile of nuclear materials and the tech to produce weapons.

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China’s military mouthpiece claimed Japan had “crossed the red line”. Illustration: Shutterstock
China-Japan relations

Japan deploys long-range missiles to bases amid China tensions, irking locals

The shifting defence policy drew backlash from Kumamoto residents fearing for their safety.

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France

What Macron’s Tokyo visit means for an anxious Japan and its ties with France

Japan is enlisting French support amid a global energy shock and a diplomatic rupture with Beijing.

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