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Japan
Trump’s Pearl Harbour joke falls flat in Japan over his ‘disrespectful remarks’
As Japan faces pressure over the Iran war, some observers commend Takaichi for steering her meeting with Trump towards trade deals.
5 hours ago
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South Korea
South Korean factory fire injures at least 55
20 Mar 2026 - 5:09PM
Japan
Deep snow can’t hide inflation, foreign ‘takeover’ fears in Japan ski hub
20 Mar 2026 - 2:31PM
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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.
20 Mar 2026 - 1:00PM
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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
Japan
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.
20 Mar 2026 - 11:13AM
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South Korea
South Korea risks US rift over Iran’s Hormuz Strait squeeze
Any deal with Iran could undermine South Korea’s alliance with the US and their US$350 billion trade deal.
20 Mar 2026 - 8:10AM
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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.
20 Mar 2026 - 3:47PM
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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meeting with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
Japan
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.
19 Mar 2026 - 5:46PM
South Korea
‘Cold-hearted’ South Korean cafe’s US$1 ‘toilet-only’ menu flush with criticism
Business owners cite restroom hygiene concerns and misuse by customers, while critics call the fee excessive.
19 Mar 2026 - 2:00PM
Japan
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.
19 Mar 2026 - 4:26PM
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North Korea
Nuclear or nothing: why North Korea’s Kim expects the US to come ‘cap in hand’
With Washington tied up in Iran, Kim Jong-un’s message is clear: if the US wants a summit, it must pay his nuclear price.
19 Mar 2026 - 9:30AM
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspects a shooting competition to mark the army’s “Snipers’ Day” at a training base on March 3. Photo: KCNA/KNS/AFP/Getty Images/TNS
Japan
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.
19 Mar 2026 - 5:23PM
Japan
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.
18 Mar 2026 - 3:15PM
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Japan
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.
18 Mar 2026 - 3:50PM
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Singapore
Singapore’s Lawrence Wong seeks stronger ties with Japan amid global tensions
Wong and Takaichi are expected to discuss economic stability and AI, and tread cautiously amid superpower rivalries, analysts say.
17 Mar 2026 - 11:15PM
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Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong catches up with Singaporeans in Japan as he kicks off his visit to Tokyo on Tuesday. Photo: Facebook / Lawrence Wong
Japan
‘Poor’ foreigners not welcome? Japan bets on AI while upping visa fee
Critics say the fee rise is designed to keep ‘poor’ foreigners out, as Japan bets on AI and robots to plug its growing staffing shortfall.
17 Mar 2026 - 12:58PM
South Korea
BTS’ concert puts ‘K-safety’ to the test as 260,000 fans to throng Seoul
Over 8,000 officials will be deployed at Saturday’s event in Seoul amid heightened scrutiny over crowd safety.
17 Mar 2026 - 11:42AM
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Japan
Japan identifies 1,500 new missile shelters as ‘front line’ fears grow
Underground car parks and subways are being repurposed as Tokyo warns of the most severe security threat since the second world war.
17 Mar 2026 - 3:13PM
Japan has confirmed 1,489 sites – including subway stations and underground car parks – as being suitable for providing short-term protection in the event of an attack. Photo: Shutterstock
South Korea
‘Catch-22 situation’: South Korea walks tightrope over Trump’s Hormuz call
Seoul is expected to seek national consensus and wait for the outcome of the Takaichi-Trump summit before deciding, observers say.
17 Mar 2026 - 7:07PM
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Japan
2 dead after Japanese school boats capsize off US military base site in Okinawa
A 17-year-old female student and a boat captain were pronounced dead after all 21 on board the two vessels were thrown into the water.
16 Mar 2026 - 5:37PM
Japan
Trump wants Japanese warships in Hormuz. Can Takaichi ‘dodge the bullet’?
The Iran war complicates Trump-Takaichi talks, putting her in a bind between US demands and constitutional limits on military action.
16 Mar 2026 - 8:00AM
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North Korea
North Korea launches 10 missiles as South Korea, US conduct military exercises
North Korean leader’s sister Kim Yo-jong has slammed both countries for proceeding with the drills at a perilous time in global security.
14 Mar 2026 - 3:11PM
North Korea’s Choe Hyon destroyer test-fires strategic cruise missiles in the Yellow Sea on Tuesday. Photo: Yonhap/dpa
US, Israel war on Iran
More than 2,000 Marines leave Japan for Middle East as Iran war intensifies
Trump has ordered the Okinawa-based 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and Tripoli assault ship to be redeployed to the Persian Gulf.
14 Mar 2026 - 12:52PM
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North Korea
Trump tells South Korea he is only leader who can break North Korean deadlock
Trump was interested to know if North Korea’s Kim Jong-un would be open to meeting him, South Korean prime minister said.
14 Mar 2026 - 9:47AM
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Diplomacy
Beyond Pax Silica: Japan, France and Canada seek rare earth autonomy
Wary of both Beijing’s grip and Washington’s whims, three G7 allies are charting their own independent critical mineral course.
14 Mar 2026 - 8:01AM
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