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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
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung takes a selfie with Chinese President Xi Jinping using a Xiaomi smartphone after a state dinner in Beijing, China, on January 5. Xi gave Lee the smartphone during their first summit talks in Gyeongju, South Korea, in November. Photo: EPA / Yonhap
North Korea nuclear crisis

Opinion | As denuclearisation stalls, China will shape stability on Korean peninsula

South Korean leader’s Beijing visit makes clear need to manage inter-Korean tensions and establish stability en route to denuclearisation.

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China trade

China initiates anti-dumping probe against Japan over key semiconductor chemical

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Hong Kong courts

Man jailed for 4 weeks in Hong Kong for taking upskirt photos on Cathay flight

Crime

Never send, never pay: NGO sounds alarm on sextortion scourge in Japan

Paps reported 2,200 consultations linked to sextortion as of November for the 2025 financial year, with most victims male and aged under 18.

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A Tokyo-based NGO reported a more than a fourfold increase in consultations linked to sextortion as of late November for the 2025 financial year, compared with 2023. Photo: Shutterstock
China-South Korea relations

Lee’s bid for South Korea-China reset can only go so far

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s success in improving relations with China means little when it comes to the issue of North Korea’s nuclear arsenal.

United States

Opinion | Why Asia should be concerned about the US attack on Venezuela

Venezuela matters less as a case in itself than as a signal of how energy is being repositioned amid intensifying US-China competition.

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Food and Drinks

Your Hong Kong weekend food guide for January 9-11

Indulge in a culinary journey this weekend, from limited-time yakitori to a Nordic-inspired afternoon tea, and a brand new weekend Mediterranean brunch.

This weekend’s dining highlights include a grill master’s offerings at Yakitori Yamato. Photo: Handout
Sexual harassment and assault

‘Keep it secret’: report reveals details of ex-Japan governor’s sex scandal

Former Fukui governor Tatsuji Sugimoto sent messages such as ‘I want to kiss you’ to at least four female staff members.

China trade

China, South Korea sign US$44 million in trade deals after years of friction

High-level summit strengthens bilateral ties after years of strained relations, as China shores up regional relationships amid row with Japan.

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Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks’ strong 2026 start fizzles on rising China-Japan tensions

Beijing has banned exports of goods to Japan with potential military use, with the possibility of additional measures.

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A man walks past an electronic board showing the Nikkei 225 index in Tokyo. Photo: AFP
Ageing society

Japan’s fix for a shrinking workforce? Corporate dating apps

Companies like Toyota are playing cupid, betting that matching staff with partners from supportive firms will prevent burnout and resignations.

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People cross a road near Tokyo station. The rising popularity of corporate-only dating apps in Japan comes as its birth rate continues to fall. Photo: AFP
China trade

China bans exports of military-related goods to Japan as dispute intensifies

Shipments of select goods – which could include drones and rare earths – to entities associated with the Japanese military have been restricted.

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Banking & finance

Citic Securities claims top spot in Asia-Pacific investment banking for 2025

Chinese rivals fill out the rest of the top five, while US bank Morgan Stanley comes in sixth.

Donald Trump

US’ Asian allies reluctant to slam Trump’s ‘cowboy tactics’ against Venezuela

These countries fear the consequences of criticising the US, particularly given Trump’s willingness to use the tariff threat in trade talks.

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Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in handcuffs after landing at a helipad in New York, escorted by US federal agents on Monday. Photo: TNS
SCMP Highlights

Notorious murders haunt Japan, Malaysia presses for kindness: 7 Asia highlights

From Malaysia’s struggle over trade pact to increased risk to domestic helpers, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Mikio (right) with his family and mother (second from right) shortly before the murders. Photo: Handout
Food and Drinks

Why crab is now fine dining’s ultimate luxury ingredient

American chefs are embracing this delicacy, used in omakase in New York and crab rice in San Francisco, as prices soar to over US$2,000 for a king crab.

Fukushima nuclear disaster and water release

‘Shatters trust’: data fraud scandal hits Japan nuclear plant in quake zone

Chubu Electric accused of falsifying quake-resistance data at the Hamaoka plant to pass the regulatory screening for restart.

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China-Japan relations

‘Real and accelerating’: China-Japan military tensions surge amid missile race

Analysts hold out little hope that security pressures will ease, given US insistence that regional allies boost first island chain defences.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
Viral stories

Japan insecticide firm holds memorial to honour bugs killed during product testing

Unusual 40-year-old tradition sees monk chant and employees pray for dead cockroaches, mites and fleas; critics find ceremony ‘ironic’.

Pop culture in Asia

Video | Hong Kong’s biggest fan-hosted anime event returns

Rainbow Gala, first held in 2007, has been held at Hong Kong’s AsiaWorld-Expo for a second time after the redevelopment of the Kowloon Bay International Trade & Exhibition Centre in 2024.

Tokyo

Video | US$3.2 million record for tuna at 2026 Tokyo auction

Sushi tycoon Kiyoshi Kimura smashed his own 2019 record for the 536-pound fish at the Japanese capital’s first auction of the new year.

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Food and Drinks

Fin-tastic: giant bluefin tuna goes for a record US$3.2 million in Japan

The self-styled “Tuna King” said he was surprised at the speed the price rose at the new year auction.

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Kiyoshi Kimura displays the 243kg bluefin tuna he bought at his main restaurant in Tokyo on Monday. Photo: AFP
SCMP Highlights

AI scientist leaves US for China; domestic helpers in Asia: 5 weekend reads

From China’s reaction to Maduro’s capture to another AI scientist leaving the US, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

Viral stories

Japan gamer, 12, plans to quit school for esports, backed by parents, sparks debate

Boy with capacity for focus far exceeding ordinary child aims for top of professional gaming; once concentrated on game so much, he wet himself.

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North Korea

North Korea links Sunday’s missile launch to ‘recent geopolitical crisis’

Kim Jong-un, who denounced the US capture of Venezuela’s Maduro, said achievements have been made in preparing forces ‘for an actual war’.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visits a military factory and inspects the production status of tactical guided weapons. Photo: KCNA via Reuters
China-South Korea relations

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung lands in Beijing with 200-strong delegation

State visit unfolds amid turbulent global landscape where South Korea must delicately navigate US-China rivalry and China-Japan tensions.

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Children greet South Korean President Lee Jae-myung upon his arrival in Beijing on January 4. Photo: Xinhua
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong ranked fourth for ‘post-Covid air transit connectivity in Asia-Pacific’

Researchers in Taiwan assess competitive positions of 16 major hub airports in region before and after pandemic.

Jobs

Canning old ways: how Japan is rethinking foreign labour

Tawara Canning has managed to maintain its workforce by offering foreigners places to stay and a chance to integrate with the community.

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