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Tokyo
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Tokyo. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Head of Government
Governor Yuriko Koike
Amid a diplomatic row, widespread flight cancellations between China and Japan will occur during the New Year public holiday in China. Photo: AFP
China-Japan relations

Holiday travellers hit amid China-Japan tension; flights cancelled on 46 routes

All cancelled flights are operated by Chinese carriers and involve most of the country’s major airlines.

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Japan

Japan clears way for Tepco to restart world’s largest nuclear plant

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Open Questions series

Open Questions | George Yeo on superpower ‘headaches’ and why the US dollar could crack

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Japan

Losing ground: Japan sounds alarm over foreign-owned land

From next year, anyone buying property will have to confirm their nationality – a move some analysts say is overkill.

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The Tokyo Skytree is seen from buildings in a residential area of the Japanese capital. Photo: AFP
China-Japan relations

Bearly any time left for Japan’s panda lovers? Row with China threatens to end loans

A 50-year tradition of panda diplomacy appears to be reaching its end with the last pair set to leave amid heightened diplomatic tensions.

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Japan

More Japanese favour having an empress as Princess Aiko’s public appeal rises

Japan’s conservative politicians are against changing the centuries-old tradition of a male heir for the throne.

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China-Japan relations

China’s military build-up could ‘seriously’ affect Japan’s security, Tokyo warns

Release of defence ministry report comes amid soaring tensions with Beijing and a boost to Japan’s military budget and goals.

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Tokyo has indicated that nearly all of the PLA’s ballistic missiles, from short-range to intercontinental systems, are capable of reaching Japanese territory. Photo: AFP
Japan

Japan vows never to possess nuclear weapons, rebuffing official’s idea

The government’s response came after a senior security official suggested that Tokyo needed nuclear arms to deter ‍potential aggressors.

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Pandas

Video | Japan to be without pandas for first time in 50 years

While the twin pandas were born in Japan, they belong to China under a loan agreement and are set to return by February 2026.

Japan

Steppe in the right direction? ‘Japan is back’ in Central Asia with new summit

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and the leaders of five Central Asian nations are expected to establish a new framework for cooperation in AI.

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Vendors sell traditional Uzbek clothing and jewellery inside a madrasah in Registan Square in Samarkand, Uzbekistan In September. Photo: EPA
Japan

Japan boosts scrutiny after Chinese buyers lead property rush near critical sites

Japan to require nationality disclosure for land near key sites after study finds Chinese nationals bought half of 3,498 such properties in 2024.

A view of the skyline of Tokyo, Japan. Many foreign buyers purchased Tokyo-area condos and flats for investment. Photo: Shutterstock
Japan

Japan and South Korea clash over islets as old grievances resurface

Analysts warn the squabble is a ‘step backwards’ that offers Beijing a chance to drive a wedge between the two US allies.

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Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Hong Kong is stepping up its competitiveness in aviation

By funding upgrades to the airport and signing international aviation deals, the city is proactively working to expand its global reach.

Japan

Japan tremors raise fears of overdue megaquake killing 199,000

Authorities are urging residents to review evacuation plans as simulations suggest a ‘maximum-class’ winter night quake could trap thousands.

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A house burns after a powerful earthquake hit Aomori, northeastern Japan, early on Tuesday last week. Photo: Jiji Press/EPA
Japan

Security or freedom? Japan’s proposed anti-spy laws raise human rights concerns

Prime Minister Takaichi’s plans to tighten spying and secrecy rules could be used to stifle free speech and media freedom, analysts say.

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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to the media in Tokyo on Monday. Photo: Kyodo/Reuters
China-Japan relations

China marks Nanking massacre anniversary with warning against Japan’s militarism

Top Communist Party official says attempts to challenge post-war order are ‘doomed to failure’ as tensions with Tokyo flare.

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Japan

Opinion | From Singapore to Taiwan, Japan must face its past for Asia’s future

Lasting peace in Asia demands that Tokyo abandons its historical revisionism and refusal to acknowledge past crimes.

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Japan

‘Didn’t know where to go’: tourists struggle in Japan quake evacuation

Foreign visitors were left scrambling for multilingual information after Monday’s magnitude 7.5 earthquake.

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A worker cleans up inside a shopping centre in Hachinohe in Aomori prefecture on Tuesday. Photo: Kyodo/Reuters
China-Japan relations

US military sends show of support to Japan as China’s navy, air drills continue

Japanese fighters train with US B-52s and USS George Washington arrives in Yokosuka amid heightened China-Japan tensions.

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Macau

Japanese singer Ayumi Hamasaki cancels Macau show as Beijing-Tokyo rift continues

‘I sincerely apologise to everyone who was looking forward to it,’ pop star says, with decision following axing of Shanghai show last month.

Japan

Japan issues megaquake advisory after magnitude 7.5 tremor

The advisory urges preparedness for a possible large quake and tsunami, recalling the 2011 disaster that destroyed Fukushima’s nuclear plant.

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A vehicle rests on the edge of a collapsed road in Tohoku town in Aomori Prefecture on Tuesday following a 7.5 magnitude earthquake. Photo: AFP
China-Japan relations

‘We’ve been careful’: Japanese firms in China stay calm amid political storm

Japanese businesses in China are under pressure amid a diplomatic row over Taiwan, but they have dealt with political tensions for years.

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A man walks past posters advertising Japanese restaurants at a shopping mall in Shanghai. Tensions between China and Japan remain high amid a dispute over Taiwan. Photo: Reuters
China’s military drills

2 Chinese, 7 Russian jets enter South Korean air defence zone near Japan

Chinese defence ministry cites annual joint strategic patrol with Russia, hours after South Korea says aircraft did not violate airspace.

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China's military weapons

Why is China piling on the pressure on Japan with increasing naval operations?

Japanese analysis indicates Chinese fighters locked onto jets from a distance of about 52km during first encounter and 148km during second.

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Earthquakes

Video | At least 30 injured after magnitude 7.5 quake in Japan

Authorities issued tsunami warnings following the powerful earthquake in northeastern Japan’s Aomori prefecture.

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Japan

30 injured after massive quake in Japan, warning of more stronger tremors

Officials removed all tsunami warnings following the powerful earthquake in northeastern Japan’s Aomori prefecture.

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A vehicle sits on a damaged road in Tohoku town, Japan’s Aomori prefecture, on Tuesday. Photo: Kyodo News via AP
Asia housing and property

The View | Asia’s housing affordability squeeze shows no signs of slowing

Some of the sharpest increases in property values are in economies facing major headwinds or those suffering from an acute shortage of affordable housing.

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SCMP Highlights

Hong Kong Legco election, potential Parkinson’s treatment: 5 weekend reads

From Hong Kong’s Legislative Council election to Germany’s stagnant economy, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

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