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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
Staff at a zoo in Japan are mimicking pandas after four of the animals were returned to China in June. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/YouTube
Trending in China

Japan zoo makes workers mimic pandas after 4 bears return to China, launches fan club

‘Bizarre’ caged activity compared to ‘avant-garde theatre’ as animal park tries to cement passion for pandas amid Sino-Japanese tension.

China-Japan relations

As Beijing targets Tokyo over Taiwan remarks, what levers does Japan have?

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China’s military

Opinion | How China’s history links military strength to fighting corruption

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North Korea nuclear crisis

Opinion | As denuclearisation stalls, China will shape stability on Korean peninsula

South Korean leader’s Beijing visit makes clear need to manage inter-Korean tensions and establish stability en route to denuclearisation.

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South Korean President Lee Jae Myung takes a selfie with Chinese President Xi Jinping using a Xiaomi smartphone after a state dinner in Beijing, China, on January 5. Xi gave Lee the smartphone during their first summit talks in Gyeongju, South Korea, in November. Photo: EPA / Yonhap
China trade

China initiates anti-dumping probe against Japan over key semiconductor chemical

Beijing’s investigation targets imports of dichlorosilane from Japan, alleging dumping that harms Chinese production, amid escalating bilateral and trade tensions.

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Hong Kong courts

Man jailed for 4 weeks in Hong Kong for taking upskirt photos on Cathay flight

Court heard defendant was ‘opportunist’ who had ‘accidentally’ captured victim’s intimate parts while taking pictures of city’s scenery.

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Crime

Never send, never pay: NGO sounds alarm on sextortion scourge in Japan

Paps reported 2,200 consultations linked to sextortion as of November for the 2025 financial year, with most victims male and aged under 18.

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A Tokyo-based NGO reported a more than a fourfold increase in consultations linked to sextortion as of late November for the 2025 financial year, compared with 2023. Photo: Shutterstock
China-South Korea relations

Lee’s bid for South Korea-China reset can only go so far

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s success in improving relations with China means little when it comes to the issue of North Korea’s nuclear arsenal.

United States

Opinion | Why Asia should be concerned about the US attack on Venezuela

Venezuela matters less as a case in itself than as a signal of how energy is being repositioned amid intensifying US-China competition.

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Food and Drinks

Your Hong Kong weekend food guide for January 9-11

Indulge in a culinary journey this weekend, from limited-time yakitori to a Nordic-inspired afternoon tea, and a brand new weekend Mediterranean brunch.

This weekend’s dining highlights include a grill master’s offerings at Yakitori Yamato. Photo: Handout
Sexual harassment and assault

‘Keep it secret’: report reveals details of ex-Japan governor’s sex scandal

Former Fukui governor Tatsuji Sugimoto sent messages such as ‘I want to kiss you’ to at least four female staff members.

The former governor of Japan’s Fukui prefecture sent 1,000 lewd texts to staff, according to an investigative report. Photo: Shutterstock
China trade

China, South Korea sign US$44 million in trade deals after years of friction

High-level summit strengthens bilateral ties after years of strained relations, as China shores up regional relationships amid row with Japan.

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Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks’ strong 2026 start fizzles on rising China-Japan tensions

Beijing has banned exports of goods to Japan with potential military use, with the possibility of additional measures.

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Ageing society

Japan’s fix for a shrinking workforce? Corporate dating apps

Companies like Toyota are playing cupid, betting that matching staff with partners from supportive firms will prevent burnout and resignations.

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People cross a road near Tokyo station. The rising popularity of corporate-only dating apps in Japan comes as its birth rate continues to fall. Photo: AFP
China trade

China bans exports of military-related goods to Japan as dispute intensifies

Shipments of select goods – which could include drones and rare earths – to entities associated with the Japanese military have been restricted.

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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ignited a diplomatic row with China after her comments on Taiwan last year. Photo: Kyodo via Reuters
Banking & finance

Citic Securities claims top spot in Asia-Pacific investment banking for 2025

Chinese rivals fill out the rest of the top five, while US bank Morgan Stanley comes in sixth.

Donald Trump

US’ Asian allies reluctant to slam Trump’s ‘cowboy tactics’ against Venezuela

These countries fear the consequences of criticising the US, particularly given Trump’s willingness to use the tariff threat in trade talks.

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SCMP Highlights

Notorious murders haunt Japan, Malaysia presses for kindness: 7 Asia highlights

From Malaysia’s struggle over trade pact to increased risk to domestic helpers, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Mikio (right) with his family and mother (second from right) shortly before the murders. Photo: Handout
Food and Drinks

Why crab is now fine dining’s ultimate luxury ingredient

American chefs are embracing this delicacy, used in omakase in New York and crab rice in San Francisco, as prices soar to over US$2,000 for a king crab.

Fukushima nuclear disaster and water release

‘Shatters trust’: data fraud scandal hits Japan nuclear plant in quake zone

Chubu Electric accused of falsifying quake-resistance data at the Hamaoka plant to pass the regulatory screening for restart.

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China-Japan relations

‘Real and accelerating’: China-Japan military tensions surge amid missile race

Analysts hold out little hope that security pressures will ease, given US insistence that regional allies boost first island chain defences.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
Viral stories

Japan insecticide firm holds memorial to honour bugs killed during product testing

Unusual 40-year-old tradition sees monk chant and employees pray for dead cockroaches, mites and fleas; critics find ceremony ‘ironic’.

A Japanese insecticide company holds an annual memorial service to honour the insects it killed during product testing. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/YouTube
Pop culture in Asia

Video | Hong Kong’s biggest fan-hosted anime event returns

Rainbow Gala, first held in 2007, has been held at Hong Kong’s AsiaWorld-Expo for a second time after the redevelopment of the Kowloon Bay International Trade & Exhibition Centre in 2024.

Tokyo

Video | US$3.2 million record for tuna at 2026 Tokyo auction

Sushi tycoon Kiyoshi Kimura smashed his own 2019 record for the 536-pound fish at the Japanese capital’s first auction of the new year.

Food and Drinks

Fin-tastic: giant bluefin tuna goes for a record US$3.2 million in Japan

The self-styled “Tuna King” said he was surprised at the speed the price rose at the new year auction.

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Kiyoshi Kimura displays the 243kg bluefin tuna he bought at his main restaurant in Tokyo on Monday. Photo: AFP
SCMP Highlights

AI scientist leaves US for China; domestic helpers in Asia: 5 weekend reads

From China’s reaction to Maduro’s capture to another AI scientist leaving the US, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

Domestic helpers gather in Hong Kong’s Central to relax and socialise on their Sunday day off. Photo: Karma Lo
Viral stories

Japan gamer, 12, plans to quit school for esports, backed by parents, sparks debate

Boy with capacity for focus far exceeding ordinary child aims for top of professional gaming; once concentrated on game so much, he wet himself.

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North Korea

North Korea links Sunday’s missile launch to ‘recent geopolitical crisis’

Kim Jong-un, who denounced the US capture of Venezuela’s Maduro, said achievements have been made in preparing forces ‘for an actual war’.

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