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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
Illustration: Henry Wong
China's economic recovery

Open Questions | How China can avoid a repeat of Japan’s ‘lost decades’

Bai Chongen, an economist and adviser to China’s government, explains how the country can dodge ‘Japanification’ and why its economic rise is misunderstood.

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Defence

What’s behind Japan’s novel move to share Mogami warship design with India?

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US, Israel war on Iran

Crisis surge or lasting shift? China’s solar exports double in a month

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Malaysia

Malaysia seeks return of elephants as Japan climate, welfare concerns grow

One of the pachyderms reportedly suffered a damaged tusk at Tennoji Zoo in Osaka.

The three Malaysian elephants were sent to Osaka’s Tennoji Zoo last month. Photo: Facebook/mazlanzonan
Tourism

Opinion | From Japan to India, overtourism cries out for new success metrics

Arrival numbers are important, but the impact on local communities, public services and environments is too often overlooked.

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US-China trade war

Chips, oil and Iran: why US is raising pressure on China before Xi-Trump talks

Washington’s latest moves target semiconductor access and small Chinese oil refineries, though analysts expect Beijing to remain resilient.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | Why an era of managed Hormuz disruption wouldn’t bode well for Asia

As the Gulf moves from war to managed disruption, the risk may become more enduring for markets, governments and companies.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
China-Japan relations

In a fragmenting global order, former Japanese leader urges pivot to China

Yukio Hatoyama says the two powers should work together against ‘US arrogance’ and expand coalitions with like-minded nations.

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New Zealand

New Zealand officials reject statue remembering Japan’s WWII sex slaves

The government said feedback for the statue application included formal representations from Japan.

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Crime

Zoo in Japan’s Hokkaido delays reopening over search for body in incinerator

One of the employees reportedly told police he burned his wife’s body in an incinerator on the zoo’s grounds.

The animal crematorium at Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan. Photo: Kyodo
Food and Drinks

Beyond steak: 3 Hong Kong chefs share dry-ageing tips for fish, lamb, poultry

Dry-ageing isn’t reserved for beef only – chefs from Fireside, Kyanbasu by Mt. Yotei and Tori Jukusei offer techniques for home cooks.

Fireside’s fridges for dry-ageing meat and fish in Hong Kong. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong economy

Letters | As data leaks surge, Hong Kong needs to mandate reporting

Readers discuss why the city should require data breaches to be reported, whether more rubbish bins are a solution to littering, and an iconic skyscraper.

US, Israel war on Iran

Why UAE’s exit from Opec is good news for oil-thirsty Asia

Once free of Opec’s production caps, the world’s sixth-largest oil producer plans to flood the market with 5 million barrels a day.

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Religion

Mosque disputes expose tensions over Japan’s growing Muslim communities

Muslim leaders say local opposition has been fuelled by negative overseas coverage of Islam and claims circulating online.

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Hundreds of Muslim residents in Japan gather for a Friday service at the Tokyo Camii mosque in Tokyo in 2015. Photo: AFP
Sanae Takaichi

As I see it | A remilitarised Japan threatens more than just China

As Japan expands its defence posture with the backing of major allies, its leaders seek to portray Beijing’s objections as an overreaction.

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Type 10 tanks operate during an annual New Year military drill by the Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force First Airborne Brigade at Narashino exercise field in Funabashi, east of Tokyo, Japan, on January 11. Photo: Reuters
Tourism

Why Japan’s travellers are rushing abroad for ‘golden week’ despite falling yen

The operator of Narita airport anticipates that 1.59 million travellers will pass through the airport over the two-week holiday season.

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China-Japan relations

Japan’s revised security policy to get ‘more aggressive’: Chinese expert

Rewritten policies could even include changes to nuclear weapons stance, analyst says.

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China energy security

China orders maritime security research as Hormuz crisis exposes trade risks

The research agenda will also focus on safeguarding port access and critical mineral investments amid rising threats to global trade.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world’s oil supply travels, has been repeatedly sealed off since the US-Israeli strikes on Iran began in late February. Photo: AP
Taiwan

Is it wrong to show Taiwan officers a WWII film about KMT forces fighting Japan?

Battalion commander’s screening stirs debate over Beijing’s state-led messaging to sway opinions on the self-ruled island.

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Asean

Why Malacca Strait tolls are unlikely despite Indonesia’s maritime push

Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore are united in upholding the principle of free passage but this must be ‘actively maintained’, analysts say.

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong Disneyland profit drops 36% to HK$536 million as costs rise

But managing director stresses profit still second-highest in park’s 20-year history.

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Hong Kong Disneyland used last year’s profits to repay all debts and reinvested part of them in new attractions, says Tim Sypko, the park’s managing director. Photo: Jonathan Wong
SCMP Highlights

Takaichi faces headwinds, Filipino retiree loses life savings: 7 Asia highlights

From Indonesia’s ambitions outside of Asean to how a Filipino retiree lost his life savings, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (right) smiles during the vote on the government’s bill to establish a National Intelligence Council during a plenary session of the House of Representatives in Tokyo on April 23, 2026. Photo: AFP
US military

Pentagon mulls plan to outsource warship design, building to South Korea, Japan

If the proposal goes ahead it will be the first time the US has bought a major surface combatant from a foreign partner since WWII.

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China birth rate

In China, a France-sized population loss begins to test coastal powerhouses

Rising pension burdens and social security subsidies are also straining public finances – though trends remain uneven, analysts say.

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Wellness

The 10-minute morning exercise workout that millions of Japanese people do

Over 20 million people in Japan practice a Radio Taiso session at least once a week in a country with one of the highest life expectancies.

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People perform a stretching exercise while listening to a Radio Taiso programme in a public park in Tokyo, Japan, on April 6, 2026. Photo: AP
Diplomacy

Opinion | Without diplomacy, deterrence in Asia is a path to escalation

The danger is that every state insists it is acting defensively while collectively building the habits and infrastructure of confrontation.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
China's military weapons

PLA showcases YJ-20 anti-ship missiles as US-Japan-Philippines test war moves

Video of PLA Navy strike tests emerges as US, allies take part in Balikatan 2026, marking Japan’s first-ever operational role in the drills.

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Sanae Takaichi

‘I feel anger’: Japan’s women rise up against constitutional reform push

The women are part of a growing protest wave seeking to protect Japan’s post-war peace commitments.

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