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

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

Fame and celebrity

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

Formula One (F1)

Video | Japan’s F1-style office chair race

Only unmodified store-bought office chairs are allowed in the annual competition.

Office workers negotiate a corner during an office chair race, called “Isu-one Grand Prix” (Chair-one Grand Prix), in Tokyo’s Kyobashi business district on October 25, 2015. 31 teams, each with three members, competed in a two-hour endurance race with office chairs on October 25. AFP PHOTO / Yoshikazu TSUNO (Photo by YOSHIKAZU TSUNO / AFP)
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Asia housing and property

The View | Japan’s wobbly economy at odds with robust property market

While the country’s economy and currency are struggling, Japan’s property fundamentals remain strong.

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Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks fall with Asia as Iran conflict drives oil prices higher

Most Asian markets retreat as surging oil prices fuel concerns over the economic fallout, while aluminium producers rally on supply fears.

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China-Japan relations

Beijing sanctions Japan lawmaker for ‘colluding with Taiwan independence forces’

Foreign ministry says imposing sanctions on Keiji Furuya, who attended Yushan Forum in Taipei, is ‘a decision of deterrence and warning’.

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Sanctioned Japanese politician Keiji Furuya is chairman of the Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council, a cross-party Japan-Taiwan lawmakers’ group. Photo: Kyodo
Banking & finance

Chinese company to use AI-powered testing to boost profits and fast-track IVF

China’s falling fertility rate sees spike in demand for assisted reproduction as biotech firm raises US$101 million from Hong Kong listing.

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Pacific nations

Where can Japan store its nuclear waste? Island plan raises alarm

Critics of Minamitorishima proposal point to scant research on the remote Pacific atoll.

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Fashion

Q&A | Kim Jones on Areal, his new line with Chinese outerwear maker Bosideng

On a visit to Hong Kong, the British designer shares why his collaboration with Bosideng was years in the making – and why ‘Made in China’ is better than most people think.

Bosideng chairman and CEO Gao Dekang with designer Kim Jones at an Areal pop-up in Hong Kong during Art Basel. Photo: Handout
China-Japan relations

Japan upgrades ship with Tomahawk missiles. Why it might pose a threat to China

Analysts say the move marks a fundamental shift in Tokyo’s defence strategy, forcing Beijing to stay on high alert.

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Japanese destroyer JS Chokai has been equipped to fire long-range Tomahawk missiles, with the first firing test expected this summer. Photo: Commander, US Third Fleet
Timepieces

5 watch moments in March 2026 – from Zendaya’s Rolex to Tag Heuer’s new boss

Elsewhere, Grand Seiko signed on baseball star Shohei Ohtani, GPHG gets a new jury president … and Watches & Wonders isn’t even here yet.

Tourism

Video | Tourists and residents at odds in Japan’s top ski town

Local media reports social services and nursing homes closing due to labour shortages in Niseko, Japan’s most popular ski resort.

Infrastructure

‘Damage Kyoto’s reputation’: plan for sky-high towers meets backlash

Opponents say the proposal to revise height restrictions for buildings around Kyoto Station to 60 metres will destroy the city’s unique views.

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People walk in front of Kyoto Station, Japan. Existing height restrictions limit buildings near the station to a maximum of 31 metres. Photo: Kyodo
Mainland China

China’s looted heritage campaign: assertive, ambitious – and complicated

As the United States steps back from cultural governance, China aims to reshape how the world reclaims looted heritage – with Japan its biggest test.

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Illustration: Brian Wang
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war: US amphibious assault ship arrives amid talk of ground operation

The USS Tripoli is the flagship for a contingent of about 3,500 Marines and sailors, as well as transport and fighter aircraft.

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Israel-Iran conflict

1 month, 2 straits, more strikes: how long will the US-Israeli war on Iran last?

With Houthi rebels entering the fray, the next maritime choke point at risk could be the Bab el-Mandeb.

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War and conflict

Macroscope | Iran war’s ripple effects are just getting started for Asia

From tariffs to supply chain disruption, Asian economies reliant on energy imports find themselves cornered between compounding crises.

A pedestrian walks past a petrol station in Tokyo, Japan, on March 18. Photo: EPA
Donald Trump

Letters | For US allies, Trump’s Oval Office offers the most uncomfortable seat

Readers discuss the Trump-Takaichi meeting, and what the US president’s remark about the attack on Pearl Harbour reveals.

China-Japan relations

How a Tang dynasty tablet became a test for China-Japan restitution

Fresh calls involving Tokyo’s Imperial Palace could spell turning point for repatriating looted war relics after decades of inertia.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Iran says Hormuz closed for shipping to and from ‘enemy’ ports

The Revolutionary Guards said that they had turned back three vessels seeking to cross the transit point.

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People walk near Iranian missiles in a park in Tehran on Thursday. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters
China trade

From chips to MRIs, Iran war puts helium users on edge

Fitch Ratings says helium prices have roughly doubled since conflict began.

A radiologist gives instructions to a patient about to undergo an MRI scan. Photo: Shutterstock
SCMP Highlights

Iran war risks, Southeast Asia’s fuel crisis, Xinjiang ‘salmon’: 7 highlights

From a fuel crisis gripping Southeast Asia to an elderly Chinese man’s undying love, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

The Philippines

Why Japan’s troops are returning to Philippine soil for first time since WWII

The return marks an upgrade from the region’s previous ‘hub and spoke’ strategy to one of overlapping minilaterals, experts say.

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Tourism

Japan’s cherry blossom parties could wilt as inflation strains wallets

Spending on ‘hanami’ picnics drops as rising living costs, Iran war fears and weather woes threaten to dampen this year’s festivities.

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A woman takes selfies in front of a cherry blossom tree in Kawasaki, Kanagawa prefecture, Japan. Photo: AFP
Crime

Man kills woman at Tokyo Pokemon shop before taking his own life

Despite strict gun control laws and rare violent crimes, Japan has seen a number of high-profile knife attacks in recent years.

Rescue workers walk in front of a commercial complex where a female employee at a Pokemon merchandise shop was stabbed to death at Ikebukuro district in Tokyo on Thursday. Photo: via Reuters
China's military weapons

What can the Iran war tell China about missile interception?

Journal says China should target boost stage, when ballistic missiles are slower, lack manoeuvrability and emit an intense heat signature.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Macroscope | Iran war: Why a Trump climbdown won’t save Asia’s economies

Markets might be convinced Trump will chicken out again, but that won’t reassure Asian nations scrambling to deal with energy shortages.

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