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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
US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One. Photo: AFP via Getty Images
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.

Hong Kong economy

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

Middle East

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

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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Illustration: Craig Stephens
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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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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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.

A minibus sports a sticker advertising Hong Kong’s HK$2 transport subsidy scheme for elderly and disabled passengers, on March 23. An amended version of the scheme will be rolled out on April 3. Photo: Jelly Tse
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.

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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The Type 25 Hypervelocity Gliding Projectile (HGP) is the Japanese forces’ first hypersonic missile. Photo: Japan Ground Self-Defence Force
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’.

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.

A launcher for an upgraded Type 12 land-to-ship guided missile is displayed at the Ground Self-Defence Force’s Camp Kengun in Kumamoto prefecture. Photo: Kyodo
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.

Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive at the Opera House of the Kennedy Center for the opening night performance of a musical on March 31 in Washington, DC. Photo: Getty Images
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’.

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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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.

Osaka’s Dotonbori district. Kentaro Kitagawa, the head of the Osaka District Public Prosecutor’s Office was arrested in 2024 and admitted the assault but later withdrew his statement, saying the sex was consensual. Photo: Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau/dpa
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.

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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The Type 12 land-to-ship missile launcher is stationed outside Camp Kengun in Kumamoto prefecture, Japan. Photo: Kyodo News via AP
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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SCMP Highlights

Cambodia’s scam industry exodus, Jollibee’s diaspora effect: 7 Asia highlights

From Cambodia’s scam industry exodus to Jollibee’s meaning to overseas Filipinos, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

The Philippines

Ahead of first Philippine visit since WWII, Japan’s past catches up with troops

Critics oppose the return of Japanese troops over Tokyo’s lack of a formal apology for the wartime abuse of Filipino ‘comfort women’.

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Philippine and Japanese aircraft patrol during a joint military exercise in February. Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines-Public Affairs Office / AFP
Iran

Japan’s PM will mull top-level talks with Iran at ‘appropriate’ time

Stability in the Middle East is vital for Japan, which relies on the region for over 90 per cent of its crude oil imports.

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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ‘s comments come as prospects for a US-Iran meeting mediated by Pakistan remain uncertain. Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

How the Hormuz attacks stoke oil-shock fears and memories of 1970s stagflation

A timeline of past oil shocks is seen offering ‘clear lessons’ for today’s Strait of Hormuz crisis, with an eye on ripple effects and contingency tools.

Fame and celebrity

Meet F1 driver Kimi Antonelli, who just won the Japanese ⁠Grand Prix in Suzuka

The 19-year-old won his first Grand Prix race earlier this month in Shanghai, and followed it up immediately with a second win in Japan.

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