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Japan
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
Passengers evacuated from a stranded train on the Keihin-Tohoku line walk to Tamachi station in Tokyo, Japan, January 16, 2026. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Video | Railway power outage delays commuters in Tokyo

Trains on JR East’s Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku lines were halted in all directions with no immediate timetable for service resumption.

US-Japan relations

Japan, US vow ‘unshaken’ defence ties despite Trump’s pivot from Asia

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Science

Could China’s Yaogan-47 satellite have a lens as wide as the Hubble Telescope?

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Trending in China

Japan ramen eatery bans ‘troublesome’ China diners, charges more for English menu

Restaurant says it had to call police over unruly Chinese diners; online sleuths claim real reason for ‘trouble’ is dual pricing policy.

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A Japanese ramen restaurant has faced backlash on social media after announcing a ban on Chinese customers, claiming that 90 per cent of issues with foreign diners involves people from China. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Google Map
Defence

Japan’s next-generation fighter jet project gets boost as European rival stalls

Germany, France and Spain have put their project on hold, prompting speculation that some may turn to the Japan-UK-Italy programme.

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Tencent

Uber’s WeChat tie-up pays off as demand from Chinese tourists rises overseas

Uber will offer a discount of at least 40 per cent during Lunar New Year for new mainland users who join via its WeChat mini-program.

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Obituaries

Nie Weiping, Chinese Go master known for victory over Japanese rival, dies at 73

The win catapulted him to national icon status and sparked a fever for the board game across China.

Chinese Go player Nie Weiping, who inspired legions of players, has died at the age of 73. Photo: Handout
China-South Korea relations

South Korean leader takes ‘pragmatic approach’ to reset ties with China, Japan

The president made back-to-back trips to the neighbouring countries as tensions are running high between Beijing and Tokyo.

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Luxury travel

Review | How the Osaka and Kyoto Ritz-Carltons blend luxury with Japanese tradition

The Ritz-Carlton Osaka in the busy Umeda district is opulent, while the tranquil Kyoto property reflects the vibe of Japan’s cultural capital.

Viral stories

Japan woman mocked for ‘ugly’ looks, resists cosmetic surgery, uses make-up

Ridiculed as a child, woman takes more than 30,000 selfies in 13 years on fashion journey; says it was like a ‘scientific study’.

A 50-year-old Japanese woman who was mocked for her looks as a child has spent 13 years mastering the art of make-up. Photo: SCMP composite/IG@kozue_sewing
The Philippines

New deal eases logistics for Japan-Philippines drills amid China tensions

The agreement removes taxes on military supplies, including weapons and fuel used in joint exercises.

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A Japanese naval ship docks at the Manila Port, Philippines, last year. Photo: EPA-EFE
Renewable energy

Letters | Japan should put more eggs in the renewable basket

Readers discuss Japan’s energy strategy, and how Hong Kong can do better on paper and plastic bottle recycling.

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks snap 4-day winning streak as Chinese tech giants falter

Online travel-booking agency Trip.com slumps 19 per cent after China opens antitrust probe into the company.

Hong Kong

Legal Tales | Time to end bid-rigging in Hong Kong with criminalisation, tougher enforcement

In the wake of the Tai Po fire, an all-too-common practice in building management and maintenance comes under the spotlight – and must be redressed.

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The catastrophic blaze at Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court has exposed widespread bid-rigging in Hong Kong’s building management and maintenance industry. Photo: Sam Tsang
Sanae Takaichi

Japan’s Takaichi faces uphill task in election as opposition unites

Takaichi’s LDP is expected to lose millions of votes as Komeito allies with the CDP after ending its coalition with the ruling party.

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Souvenirs featuring a photo of Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi are seen at a gift shop in Nara. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong entertainment

Hong Kong Cantopop singer Raymond Lam cancels 2 concerts in Japan

Lam’s shows scheduled for January 31 and February 1 at the Tokyo Garden Theatre have been postponed indefinitely.

South Korea

Video | South Korea and Japan’s leaders jam to K-pop hits

South Korea’s Lee Jae Myung and Japan’s Sanae Takaichi played drums while covering two K-pop songs from the boy band BTS and the animated film Kpop Demon Hunters.

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Taiwan

Taiwan names DPP stalwart new cross-strait chief amid Beijing’s scepticism

Taipei touts former speaker of the island’s legislature as having ‘laid a solid foundation for Taiwan-Japan friendship’ in his previous role.

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Su Jia-chyuan has been appointed to chair the Straits Exchange Foundation, the semi-official group that manages ties with Beijing. Photo: CNA
South Korea

South Korea-Japan summit exposes ‘strategic’ divide amid great-power tensions

While Seoul urged broader regional cooperation that would include China, Tokyo emphasised closer alignment with Washington.

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The Philippines

Philippines ‘comfort women’ demand apology during Japan foreign minister visit

Analysts say Manila is unlikely to back the surviving victims of sex slavery, fearing it could jeopardise billions in infrastructure funding.

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China travel

‘Structurally hurt’: why are Chinese tourists spending less abroad than before?

China’s outbound travel sector has bounced back from the pandemic, but the era of duty-free shopping sprees appears to be over.

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Customers shop for skincare products at a duty-free shopping mall in China’s southern Hainan province. China has opened up to more duty-free retail in recent years, reducing the need for Chinese tourists to splash out while abroad. Photo: Getty Images
South China Sea

‘Strategic patience’ key for Beijing in South China Sea and other disputes

SCSPI’s Hu Bo said maritime disagreements with Manila and Tokyo would continue but that Beijing had ‘overwhelming advantages’.

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Despite the need to stay vigilant, China should be confident of its strength and capabilities in managing its maritime issues with its neighbours, a Chinese expert has said. Photo: Xinhua
Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks advance as investors turn to China amid Middle East uncertainty

Hang Seng Index extends rally as regional markets find support amid rising tensions between the US and Iran.

Sanae Takaichi

Japan PM, South Korean president rock out to K-pop in surprise drum duet

The Japanese leader led the session by showing the South Korean president how to play the drums after their talks in Nara.

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Asia elections

Japan’s ‘love hotel’ mayor stages comeback, shattering political taboos

Akira Ogawa’s return suggests voters are finally judging women in Japanese politics by the same imperfect standards as men.

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Akira Ogawa speaks to her supporters in Maebashi, Japan’s Gunma prefecture, on Monday after her re-election as mayor. Photo: Kyodo
Artificial intelligence

Japan’s Princess Kako targeted in viral Grok AI deepfakes trend

Images of the princess in a blue dress during a recent event were used to generate deepfakes, including of her naked and covered in tattoos.

Princess Kako (left) and her brother Prince Hisahito attend the traditional New Year’s greeting ceremony by Japan’s royal family at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on January 2. Photo: AFP
China-Japan relations

How a snap election in Japan could put Takaichi in a stronger position with China

A decisive win could give Tokyo ‘limited room for concessions in its negotiations with Beijing’ and more room to manoeuvre with Washington.

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SCMP Highlights

Matricide in Indonesia, Philippine Airlines’ viral video: 7 Asia highlights

From India becoming the world’s fourth largest economy to Philippine Airlines’ viral safety video, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

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