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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
People walk past Exchange Square in Central, home of Hong Kong’s bourse operator, on March 28, 2025. Photo: Matthew Miller
Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks rise slightly on last full trading day of year

Stocks trade in narrow range as volume on the city’s exchange falls about 30 per cent below the 100-day average.

China-Japan relations

How Takaichi’s Taiwan comments fuelled Beijing-Tokyo row with no end in sight

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Asia housing and property

The View | How AI helped Asia’s real estate sector pass the tariff stress test

SCMP Highlights

Japan as a nuclear power, China’s first female C919 captain: 5 weekend reads

From China studying Japan’s potential nuclear capabilities to C919’s first female captain, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

Some Chinese nuclear experts estimate that Japan has the capacity to develop nuclear weapons in less than three years. Photo: Shutterstock
China's military weapons

A look at China’s ‘Flying Shark’ J-15 jet that made waves near Japan

Fighter in service for more than a decade often patrols potential conflict hotspots including the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.

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Tourism

5-year-old dies after ski lift accident in Hokkaido, Japan

Safety concerns were previously raised over a lack of handrails and the lift’s design.

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Aerospace: Geopolitics

Why are rich Chinese moving private jets offshore, slumming it in budget seats?

Strict flight rules and economic headwinds are forcing scrutiny-wary tycoons to rebase aircraft in places such as Singapore or downgrade to commercial cabins.

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Two crew members walk past business jets in Shanghai. Photo: AFP
China-Japan relations

Why Chinese victims of Japan’s WWII bio-warfare are still waiting for justice

Dark chapter’s telling complicated by Tokyo’s official denials, Washington’s immunity deals and Beijing’s shifting diplomatic priorities.

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Hong Kong society

Letters | Why lapses in the Tai Po tragedy are both shocking and familiar

Readers discuss Hong Kong’s light-touch culture, the city’s struggling retail sector, and meeting the emotional needs of men.

Space

Can Japan’s space industry regain thrust after H3 rocket failure?

Failure is inevitable, aerospace experts say, so Japan needs to be less afraid of making mistakes and move on.

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Japan’s H3 rocket carrying the Michibiki No 5 satellite lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Centre on Monday. Photo: Kyodo/Reuters
Viral stories

‘I am dead’: Japan man posts posthumous social media message; many admire strength

Optimistic post appears 2 days after man dies following battle with rare cancer; death reveals new side of his personality to farmer father.

The social media account of a Japanese man who died at 22 automatically posted a message two days later, saying “I am dead” which went viral and attracted admiration. Photo: SCMP composite/QQ.com/fnn.jp
Science

Chinese nuclear experts believe Japan could build nukes in less than 3 years

Late US statesman Henry Kissinger’s dire warning about Tokyo aiming to become a nuclear power by 2028 is being re-examined by Beijing.

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Hong Kong tourism

Hong Kong records 10% rise in festive period visitors as outbound trips surge 22%

Despite increase in tourists, merchants warn absence of New Year fireworks may impact visitor numbers and, in turn, the retail sector.

Artificial intelligence

Macroscope | Can AI deliver the economic goods and high returns? Don’t count on it

The dash towards AI might become a rout as the public rebels against the environmental costs while investors worry about the returns.

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A construction worker stands outside a data centre being built in Sedenak Tech Park in Johor, Malaysia, on September 27, 2024. Emerging AI data centres are giving the region’s main data centre hubs, Japan and Singapore, a run for their money. Photo: AP

‘I feared for my life’: 50-vehicle pile-up on icy Japan expressway kills 2

Twenty-six people were injured in the mishap in Gunma prefecture that also sparked a fire at the far end of the pile-up.

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A damaged median and a vehicle pile-up on the Kan-etsu Expressway in Japan’s Gunma prefecture on Saturday. Photo: Kyodo
Fukushima nuclear disaster and water release

‘Built on tofu’: safety fears as Japan prepares to restart nuclear plant

While Fukushima operator Tepco says it is ‘committed to safety’ at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, critics believe it is a disaster waiting to happen.

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China consumption

Wild goose chase? France works to rouse China’s appetite for foie gras imports

French producers hope their famed pate can win a slice of China’s market, but price sensitivities and domestic competition could mean their goose is cooked.

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Crime

Japan stabbing rampage leaves 15 injured at Yokohama rubber factory

Authorities confirm injuries after a weapon and ‘spray-like liquid’ attack. Local media report one man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

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The area near the entrance to Yokohama Rubber factory, where multiple people were stabbed. Photo: Kyodo
Crime in Hong Kong

2 decoration workers remanded in custody over 1 billion yen robbery in Hong Kong

Lee Wan-kwong is alleged to be mastermind behind operation, while Lee Chun-wa accused of handling stolen cash.

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

Outside In | As the US pursues unilateralism, China faces challenging task as Apec host

China’s return as Apec chair is an opportunity to show that both the organisation and its message of multilateralism are as relevant as ever.

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Video | Finger-lickin’ good KFC on the Christmas menu for millions in Japan

Christmas Eve is KFC’s busiest day in Japan. Millions of families visit branches across the country to enjoy special holiday menus.

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Photo: SCMP/Composite
Sanae Takaichi

Japan’s US$782 billion budget to boost military firepower, tame inflation

The budget comes as the market worries about Prime Minister Takaichi’s big spending policies adding to Japan’s public debt.

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A Japanese Type 12 surface-to-ship missile is launched during a military exercise in Australia on July 22. Photo: Australian Department of Defence via AP
China-Japan relations

China sharpens criticism of Japan ‘neo-militarism’, warns of ‘dangerous signal’

Amid heightened tensions, commentator says Beijing has sufficient policy tools in reserve should Tokyo endanger China’s core interests.

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Hong Kong tourism

Japan popular with Hong Kong travellers over Christmas, Harbin gaining appeal

Despite row with China, Japan remains popular with Hongkongers, with mainland cities such as Harbin and Yunnan gaining appeal.

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China’s military drills

China’s PLA simulated battles near Mexico, Cuba and Taiwan, CCTV report shows

Rare insight revealed on state television in footage from a PLA wargaming event in central China where dozens of systems were demonstrated.

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Screen shows red and blue opposing unit “indicators”, represented by aircraft and ships, manoeuvring near the coasts of Cuba and Mexico in footage recorded at a PLA wargaming event held in China’s Henan province. Photo: CCTV

Video | Japan’s ‘laughing ritual’ draws thousands

Participants laugh continuously for 20 minutes at the centuries-old ceremony rooted in Japanese mythology.

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China-Russia relations

China, Russia partnership ‘stronger than ever’ despite Western sanctions: envoy

Moscow’s ambassador tells Beijing forum that relations between the two countries have reached their ‘highest level in history’.

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Food and Drinks

‘Juicy, delicious’ and sold out: culled bear meat sparks Japan feeding frenzy

‘With news about bears growing, the number of customers who want to eat their meat has increased a lot,’ an eatery owner says.

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