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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
Screenshots from a viral video posted by an social media user on Wednesday showing her daughter being shoved while attempting to take a photo at Tokyo’s iconic Shibuya Crossing. Photo: Instagram/peipeilin527
SCMP Highlights

Southeast Asian navy strategies, Japan video sparks outrage: 7 Asia highlights

From predictions on Iranian leadership to North Korea’s nuclear vindication, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Luxury travel

What’s new at Galaxy Macau, from whisky wonders to Japanese elegance

Crime

Japanese massage parlour operator denies forcing Thai girl, 12, into sex work

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Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks slide for a second day as US-Iran war rattles sentiment

Risk-off sentiment is seen across major Asia-Pacific markets, with South Korea’s Kospi benchmark falling 2 per cent.

Financial data is displayed at the New York Stock Exchange. Photo: AP
Shinzo Abe

How the Unification Church is facing fallout in Japan from Shinzo Abe’s murder

Critics have called the group a ‘moneymaking business’, with many people having lost huge sums of money from its ‘spiritual sales’.

Asian cinema: Japanese films

Who is Hikari, the Japanese director behind Beef and Rental Family?

The filmmaker talks about her journey from Osaka to Hollywood and how her new film with Fraser as a fake dad was inspired by her childhood.

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Fukushima nuclear disaster and water release

Japan’s nuclear waste dilemma: no prefecture wants Fukushima’s toxic soil

By law, the waste currently housed near the crippled Fukushima Daiichi plant must be moved outside the prefecture by March 2045.

A facility in Futaba, Fukushima prefecture, temporarily stores soil and other waste from decontamination works. Photo: Kyodo
Hong Kong stock market

Sell-offs sweep Hong Kong and Asian markets as gold, oil rise on Iran war

Crude oil jumps as much as 14 per cent to the highest level since January 2025, while gold gains 2.5 per cent on haven demand.

Food and Drinks

Party sober? Asia’s bars and drink giants shift gears as Gen Z ditch alcohol

As young Asians turn more health-conscious and watch their spending, drinks giants and bars are planning more low- and no-alcohol options.

China shipbuilding

Open Questions | Top shipbuilding voice Li Yanqing rebukes Washington’s ‘China threat’ narrative

China’s national shipbuilding association official calls US port fees ‘absurd’ and politically motivated, while asserting China’s market lead is solid despite global fluctuations.

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
China-Japan relations

Opinion | Japan’s rightward shift puts it on a collision course with China

Any attempt by the Takaichi administration to revise the constitution and re-arm the country will ignite fierce opposition from Beijing.

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Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi answers questions during a plenary session of the House of Representatives in Tokyo on February 24. Photo: AFP
China's military weapons

What will first Type 055 destroyers for PLA East China Fleet mean for Taiwan?

Two of the guided-missile destroyers with hull numbers assigned have been spotted at a naval base on the East China Sea coast.

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Malaysia

‘Time for us’: the Malaysian rapper putting her country on the SXSW map

Zamaera is taking five Malaysian artists to Texas next month after asking herself a simple question: why doesn’t Malaysia have a stage yet?

Fashion

Q&A | How Anteprima brought Japanese art to Milan Fashion Week

Founder Izumi Ogino and artist Takahiro Iwasaki on their approach to bridging fashion and art while retaining the essence of their culture.

Japanese artist Takahiro Iwasaki (left) collaborated with designer Izumi Ogino on Anteprima’s spring/summer 2026 collection. Photo: Handout
Pokemon

Video | Pokemon turns 30

Created in 1996 as a Game Boy video game, the multibillion-dollar franchise now boasts a range of anime series, merchandise and trading card products.

Created in 1996 as a Game Boy video game, the multibillion-dollar franchise now boasts a range of anime series, merchandise and trading card products.
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The Philippines

Indonesia is getting an aircraft carrier. The Philippines isn’t. Does it matter?

Indonesia wants to project power. The Philippines wants to deny it. In the South China Sea, one approach may matter more than the other.

US-Japan relations

Macroscope | Why Japan should push back on Trump’s investment demands

Trump’s use of tariff threats to strong-arm foreign governments, companies and investors into funding US projects should be resisted.

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Viral stories

Japan trans woman, 64, enjoys slow-paced life with lover, 86, wears princess dresses

Sex reassignment surgery recipient who faces problems using women’s facilities because of her size says she wants to slim down, wear miniskirts.

A 64-year-old Japanese trans woman enjoys a slow-paced life with her 86-year-old boyfriend, often wearing princess dresses and wigs on their dates. Photo: SCMP composite/QQ.com
SCMP Highlights

Chinese tourists flock to Seoul, child shoved in Tokyo crossing: 7 highlights

From China tracking military moves near Iran to why tourists are ditching Tokyo for Seoul, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks cap worst month since October on AI disruption angst

Concerns over AI’s disruptive impact on traditional industries continue to unsettle investors.

Climate change

Japan on track for hottest summer ever as ocean temperatures surge

Various regions across Japan are expected to register above-normal temperatures between June and August, the weather agency says.

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A man cooling down under a water misting system on a hot day in Tokyo in September last year. Photo: AFP
Pokemon

How Pokemon took over the world as the beloved franchise turns 30

On Pokemon Day 2026, we look at the history of the global multimedia phenomenon and how it captured the hearts of children and adults alike.

Pokemon fans take part in the Pokemon Go City Safari event in Hong Kong in December 2024, a two-day event that saw players able to “catch” the virtual creatures at the city’s landmarks. Photo: Dickson Lee
Artificial intelligence

Video | Japan unveils AI robot monk

AI-powered “Buddharoid” offers spiritual guidance and could help ease Japan’s monk shortage.

Offbeat

Video | Get muddy at Japan’s naked festival

The festival is celebrated in some areas with traditional battles in frigid mud fought by participants wearing nothing but loincloths.

Iran

‘Hostage diplomacy’ fears mount over arrest of Japanese journalist in Iran

The incident comes amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran, with a large American military force positioned near Iran.

The aftermath of an Israeli strike on Evin Prison, Iran, in June. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters
Viral stories

Viral video of child being shoved at Tokyo’s iconic Shibuya Crossing stokes anger

The video shows a masked passer-by appearing to knock the girl to the ground, prompting calls for an investigation.

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Screenshots from a viral video posted by a social media user on Wednesday showing her daughter being shoved while attempting to take a photo at Tokyo’s iconic Shibuya Crossing. Photo: Instagram / peipeilin527

Video | Video of girl being shoved in Japan sparks online outrage

The little girl’s photo moment on the Shibuya crossing was violently interrupted.

Thailand

US, Thailand lead 30 nations in Southeast Asia’s largest military drill

Cobra Gold is necessary to address emerging threats and improve interoperability in the region, the US ambassador to Thailand says.

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