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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
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi raises her fist while delivering remarks during a dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
Donald Trump

Trump’s Pearl Harbour ‘joke’ falls flat in Japan, Takaichi praised for response

As Japan faces pressure over the Iran war, Takaichi has been commended for steering her meeting with Trump towards trade deals.

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Asia travel

MORE: An SCMP travel series

China-Japan relations

Trump to praise Japan in China, Xi summit delayed, PLA-Nato talks

China stock market

Chinese stocks shake laggard image amid oil shock as green transition pays off

China’s push into renewables helps shield its markets from the latest oil turmoil, with analysts pointing to limited downside risks.

An oil tanker is guided to a berth at a port in Qingdao, Shandong province. China has oil reserves of 1.3 billion barrels, enough for four months of supply, according to UBS Group and S&P Global. Photo: AFP
Tourism

Deep snow can’t hide inflation, foreign ‘takeover’ fears in Japan ski hub

An influx of foreign workers, inflated property prices and living costs are testing the patience of Niseko’s residents.

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Made in China 2025

Global drug giants double down on China amid push for self-reliant supply chains

Multinationals are building self-reliant supply chains in China to insulate local markets from potential trade disruptions, say analysts.

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China shipbuilding

‘Not easy’: Japan mulls building its own LNG carriers amid Iran energy crisis

China and South Korea dominate global production of vessels for carrying natural gas, but Japan now sees industry as key to its energy security.

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A liquefied natural gas carrier is under construction at a shipyard in Geoje, South Korea. Japan may restart domestic production of LNG carriers, aiming to break into a market dominated by South Korea and China. Photo: Getty Images
Hong Kong economy

Letters | Hong Kong has a chance to lead the world in marine underwriting

Readers discuss developments in shipping, and the implications for Taiwan of US actions in the Iran war.

Sanae Takaichi

Japan PM conveys to Trump her ‘strong intent’ to meet North Korea’s Kim

Takaichi said she has ‘received full support from the president towards an immediate solution’ to Pyongyang’s abductions of Japanese nationals.

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Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks mark third weekly loss as oil volatility pressures sentiment

Hang Seng Index falls for a third week as investors weigh the US-Israel war on Iran, oil swings and corporate earnings.

The Hang Seng Index fell 0.9 per cent on Friday. Photo: Jelly Tse
United States

Trump compares Iran attack to Pearl Harbour in otherwise positive Takaichi talks

Two leaders tout bilateral relationship and pledge to work cooperatively on trade.

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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meeting with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

Opinion | China is looking at Iran war for clues to US long-term intent

US actions threaten China’s energy security, expose supply chokepoints and raise nuclear proliferation risks in its neighbourhood.

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China-Japan relations

‘Uncompromising’: Takaichi’s meeting with Trump seen as key to China-Japan ties

Neither Tokyo nor Beijing has enough incentive to compromise, observers say, signalling a new reality between Asian giants.

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Tokyo

Blooming marvellous: Tokyo’s cherry blossom season officially begins

The blooming was five days earlier than the average, possibly due to low rainfall and longer hours of sunshine in winter.

Visitors take selfies in front of the early-flowering cherry blossoms at Ueno Park in Tokyo on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
Taiwan

Taiwan leader ‘glorifying Japanese colonial rule’, Beijing says

Backlash was prompted by a speech that said the early days of the KMT’s rule over island were ‘worse than the colonial regime’.

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William Lai has said Chiang Kai-shek and the Japanese did not really care about the island. Photo: CNA
China economy

Macroscope | China is weathering the Iran war oil shock better than others in Asia

As the conflict threatens Asian economies, the best protected are those that can leverage import diversification and energy independence.

SCMP Highlights

Jean-Claude Van Damme talks art; a chemist’s soy empire: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From a mother’s 22kg weight loss to a Taiwanese chemist’s soy empire in Australia, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

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Sexual harassment and assault

Japan gets tough against teachers’ sexual misconduct, voyeurism after arrests

Sexual offences involving mostly male teachers targeting students remain high despite stricter rules against the menace in recent years.

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A man taking an upskirt photo. The wide use of mobile technology has encouraged misbehaviour among some Japanese teachers, analysts say. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong, mainland China stocks tumble as oil shock revives recession worries

Shanghai Composite Index falls below 4,000 points for the first time in two months, underscoring investor jitters.

Animal welfare in Hong Kong

Call for review over how Hong Kong manages wild boars and buffaloes

Activists say city must take different approach to minimising conflict between people and wild animals after two incidents over consecutive days.

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Defence

Russian hypersonic jets buzz Japan’s coast in ‘thinly veiled threat’

The exercises send a message that Tokyo should avoid antagonising Moscow or risk ‘repercussions’, observers say.

Footage of a Russian fighter jet carrying Kinzhal hypersonic missiles conducting exercises over the Sea of Japan, or East Sea. Photo: Handout
China-Japan relations

Why Beijing has struggled to rally Asia against Japan over PM’s Taiwan remarks

Many in the region harbour security concerns similar to Tokyo’s and prefer to stay neutral between the Asian heavyweights, analysts say.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
US-China relations

US says mainland China has no plans to attack Taiwan in 2027

Beijing seeks to control the island without the use of force, the US intelligence community confirms in its annual report on global threats.

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Semiconductors

Korea, Taiwan chip sectors most exposed to helium shortage amid Middle East war

South Korea and Taiwan face the highest risk as they source most of their helium from Qatar, while Japan is seen as relatively stable, Fitch says.

Legacy of war in Asia

Japanese atomic bomb survivor who hugged Obama in Hiroshima dies at 88

Earlier this month, Shigeaki Mori warned that the world was at risk of another nuclear attack over the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine.

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Then US president Barack Obama hugs Shigeaki Mori, a survivor of the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima, during a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in 2016. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

Why delayed US-China summit raises stakes for Takaichi ahead of White House visit

Analysts say the combination of the Iran war and the new date for Trump’s trip to Beijing could put Japan’s leader on the defensive.

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Can US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi maintain the rapport of their meeting in Japan last October? Photo: Kyodo
Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks extend win streak amid stabilising oil prices despite Iran war

Hang Seng Index rises for a third day, the longest run since January, as Wall Street rally and steadier oil prices boost mood.

Social media

Will Japan follow Australia’s lead and ban children from social media?

A new panel is studying how prolonged social media exposure affects young people, with youth suicide among issues likely to be addressed.

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