Advertisement
Advertisement
Japan
TOPIC
 / location

Japan

Related Topics:
Japan
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
Inmates in Tochigi Prison’s factory in Japan sew flags and banners. Photo: Julian Ryall
Crime

Japanese female prison’s rehabilitation goal faces health, language barriers

A human rights group says Japan’s penal system still fails to treat prison inmates ‘like human beings’.

China-India relations

Rubio expected to brief New Delhi on Xi-Trump summit during India trip

videocam
12
IPO

Hong Kong set to be ousted by Nasdaq as world’s biggest IPO market

Cathay Pacific

Singapore Airlines faces narrow window to gain market share from Gulf rivals

SIA can capture more Asia-Europe traffic due to its strong oil hedging strategy and balance sheet, and the Iran war’s impact, analysts say.

videocam
Singapore Airlines planes sit on the tarmac at Changi Airport in Singapore. SIA says it will increase services to several European cities including Manchester, Milan and Munich. Photo: Reuters
Diplomacy

Opinion | What Putin, Trump summits say about China’s role in world affairs

Beijing’s desire for systemic stability guides its relations with Moscow and Washington, making it central to global mediation.

videocam
Bonds

Macroscope | Bond market sell-off raises stakes for Asia’s tech-driven economies

Stakes are high for Asia’s tech-driven economies amid a global sell-off in bond markets that signals investor fears.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
US-Japan relations

US to send powerful missile systems to Japan for drills amid China tensions

After the joint exercises, the systems will move to a US military base in Japan for storage.

videocam
5
The Typhon missile launcher is stationed at an airbase in Iwakuni, western Japan, last year. Photo: Reuters
Trip Inspiration

Asia’s new hotels: from Kyoto to Bangkok, luxury awaits

Discover Asia’s most captivating new luxury hotels – from Kyoto’s geisha-haunted Imperial to Lugu Lake’s matrilineal retreat – where heritage craftsmanship meets cutting-edge design.

Wellness

‘Extremely fulfilling’: Doing housework can declutter your home and your mind

The chores most of us find tedious provide mental health benefits, say psychologists and a Zen monk, who explain how and share cleaning tips.

China-Russia relations

China and Russia warn US Golden Dome poses ‘clear threat’ to stability

Days after Xi-Trump talks, Beijing and Moscow slam Washington’s military provocations and its plans for missile defence system.

12
China and Russia say the Golden Dome missile defence system initiated by US President Donald Trump would have “serious negative consequences for international security”. Photo: AP
China exports

Japanese firms warn of ‘severe’ magnet shortages as China’s exports remain low

China’s exports of rare earth magnets to Japan recovered only modestly last month, with Japanese firms warning of ‘severe’ shortages.

videocam
4
Workers transport soil containing rare earth elements for export at a port in China’s eastern Jiangsu province. Photo: Reuters
South Korea

Japan, South Korea hone diplomatic ‘muscle memory’ amid Taiwan worries

Energy security and supply chains topped the summit’s formal agenda. The subtext was a fear of ‘alliance abandonment’, analysts say.

videocam
5
Art

How Asian artists at the 2026 Venice Biennale are making their voices heard

Using everything from baby dolls to tapestries, Asian artists’ perspectives are strongly reflected in a number of memorable exhibitions.

China-Russia relations

Inside the royal garden that is Putin’s ‘second home’ in China

More than 1,400 heads of state have stayed in the compound, with the Russian president usually accommodated in its most prestigious villa.

videocam
The historic guest villas are situated within the tranquil Diaoyutai Scenic Area in the western suburbs of Beijing. Photo: Shutterstock
Asian cinema: Japanese films

Review | The Samurai and the Prisoner: Kiyoshi Kurosawa back with feudal-era thriller

The veteran Japanese director’s new film with Masahiro Motoki as a besieged warlord is an intelligent, captivating spin on the samurai genre.

videocam
(From left) Yuriko Yoshitaka, Masahiro Motoki and Ryota Miyadate in a still from The Samurai and the Prisoner.
Social media

Video | Americans arrested over Punch the monkey stunt

The two men face charges of forcible obstruction of business.

Artificial intelligence

Tiny capacitors are the latest AI-driven investor darling

Artificial intelligence boom is triggering a surge in demand for multilayer ceramic capacitors, report says.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Defence

Japan plans island drone deployment to monitor Chinese naval activity

Tokyo hopes deploying US-built SeaGuardians on Iwo Jima and Chichijima will eliminate a Pacific surveillance ‘blind spot’.

Japan plans to deploy MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones on Chichijima and Iwo Jima. Photo: Handout
Animals

Japan zoo may ban photos near viral monkey after intrusion by 2 Americans

One visitor entered the macaque’s habitat dressed in a character costume, while the other filmed him with a phone from outside.

videocam
Yuan

As the world retreats from US Treasuries, will the sell-off deepen?

China is one of several nations trimming their exposure to US debt, as inflation drives Treasury yields to levels not seen since 2007.

videocam
7
The Philippines

Philippine navy’s ‘aspirational’ middle power claim comes under scrutiny

The navy based its assessment partly on regional partners admiring its newer ships that were deployed in recent joint exercises.

videocam
5
Philippine navy sailors stand on the deck of BRP Miguel Malvar, a corvette acquired from South Korea, in Subic town, Zambales province, north of Manila, in April last year. Photo: AFP/Handout/Philippine Navy-Public Affairs Office
South Korea

South Korea’s Lee hails ‘deep friendship’ as he hosts Japan’s Takaichi in hometown

The talks in Andong, a city famous for its centuries-old folk village, come after the two met in Takaichi’s hometown of Nara in January.

videocam
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (left) and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung hold a joint news conference in Andong on Tuesday. Photo: EPA
China’s military drills

Chinese carrier kicks off drills in western Pacific amid tense Japan ties

The Liaoning carrier group will hold live-fire drills months after stand-off with Japanese fighter jets during a December exercise.

18
The Philippines

More than a missile? Why the Philippines wants Japan’s old Type 88

Manila’s military already operates superior weapons, but analysts say Tokyo’s Cold War-era hardware still has something to offer.

videocam
4
Electric & new energy vehicles

AI | China’s Ganfeng secures orders amid surge in demand for energy storage, AI boom

Company says its orders are booked through the first half of 2027 as it plans to increase production volume by 50 per cent next year.

China’s Ganfeng Lithium says its orders have been booked through the first half of 2027 amid a surge in demand for energy storage systems and a frenzy of investment in AI data centres. Photo: handout
Food and Drinks

Meet the Hong Kong chefs doing Japanese food with a Cantonese twist

For generations, local diners expected Cantonese chefs to play supporting roles to a Japanese head chef – but now that is changing.

The claypot rice dish at Hong Kong’s Isseki Niaji melds Cantonese banqueting traditions with tastes of Osaka. Photo: Handout
SCMP Highlights

Singaporeans’ work ethic, South Korea’s AI ‘goddess’: 7 Asia highlights

From Southeast Asia’s climate hazards to South Korea’s AI ‘baseball goddess’, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Taiwan

Beijing rebukes Manila over claim proximity will involve it in Taiwan conflict

Chinese embassy staff in the Philippines visit 69 Chinese workers detained during police raid.

videocam
23
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement