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A screen capture from dashcam footage of another car shows the SUV driving away from the scene after allegedly hitting a group of pupils in Misato city in Japan. Photo: Handout
Japan

Chinese national arrested in Japan over alleged hit-and-run case that injured 4

The suspect, Deng Hongpeng, is accused of hitting a group of pupils with his grey SUV, then driving away after checking on the children.

South Korea

South Korea’s presidential candidates clash over China, ‘pragmatic’ policy

Japan

Japan’s farm minister stirs anger with ‘never had to buy rice’ remarks

SCMP Highlights

Europe’s blind-box toy obsession, concert economy in China: 5 weekend reads

From declining enthusiasm for studying abroad to Pop Mart’s popularity in Europe, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

People linger around a Pop Mart store, a Chinese pop culture brand, near Louvre Museum in Paris, France. Photo: Xinhua
People linger around a Pop Mart store, a Chinese pop culture brand, near Louvre Museum in Paris, France. Photo: Xinhua
South Korea

South Korea’s presidential candidates debate economic recovery

Asia’s fourth-largest economy contracted in the first quarter as exports and consumption stalled amid fears over the impact of tariffs.

South Korea

South Korea’s election front runner proposes 2-term presidency

Latest polling shows the front runner Lee Jae-myung leading the race with a 51 per cent support rate for the June 3 election.

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Japan

A bridge too far: overtourism in Mount Fuji photo spot in Japan irks locals

Locals living near the ‘Mount Fuji dream bridge’ complain about illegal parking and excessive noise from tourists.

Mount Fuji can be seen in the background as people walk along a bridge connecting stores at a popular outlet shopping centre in the city of Gotemba, Shizuoka prefecture. Photo: AFP
Mount Fuji can be seen in the background as people walk along a bridge connecting stores at a popular outlet shopping centre in the city of Gotemba, Shizuoka prefecture. Photo: AFP
South Korea

‘Life role model’: South Korea’s granny YouTubers rewriting script on ageing

A growing number of older content creators are finding success online, sharing life advice and showing what it means to age gracefully.

Japan

‘Definitely an issue’: in Japan, 6 in 10 admit being addicted to their phones

A new survey reveals a surge in smartphone addiction in Japan post-pandemic, undermining well-being – especially among the young.

South Korea

South Korea’s Yoon quits party before snap election, urges support for Kim

The impeached ex-president said he was leaving the conservative party to ‘fulfil my responsibility to protect the free Republic of Korea’.

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Former South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol shakes hands with his supporters on April 11. Photo: Kim Jung-yeop
Japan

Japan’s knife ownership law comes into focus after UK bans ninja swords

The British law was introduced after the murder of a teenager who was killed with a ninja sword near his home in 2022.

Police officers guard an entrance of Todai-mae station in Tokyo after a stabbing incident on May 7. Photo: AFP
Police officers guard an entrance of Todai-mae station in Tokyo after a stabbing incident on May 7. Photo: AFP
Japan

Make ‘selfish’ Mount Fuji climbers pay for off-season rescue: Japanese officials

The call came after a Chinese student, who was rescued twice from Mount Fuji, said he went back the second time to try to retrieve his phone.

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Japan

China’s ‘incremental’ moves in disputed waters spark concern in Japan

China could gain control of more undersea resources, change status quo with suspected construction of new offshore platform, analysts say.

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South Korea

Sole of a nation: Lee Jae-myung’s shoes sell out in South Korean election campaign

Presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung blue-and-red “bipartisan” trainers that symbolise unity between liberal and conservative voters sold out overnight.

Reebok Classic Leather GY1522. Photo: handout
South Korea

South Korea arrests 2 over plot to extort Son Heung-min with fake pregnancy

The pair allegedly demanded millions of won to stay quiet about the fabricated claims involving the national football icon.

Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min reacts during a Europa League match against Eintracht Frankfurt in London on April 10, 2025. Photo: Reuters
Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min reacts during a Europa League match against Eintracht Frankfurt in London on April 10, 2025. Photo: Reuters
South Korea

South Korean varsity tweaks degree revocation rules, targeting ex-first lady

Sookmyung Women’s University in January concluded that Kim Keon-hee’s master’s thesis involved plagiarism.

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South Korea

South Korea’s denial of joint drills with Japan highlights past ‘grievances’

Many South Koreans may find it difficult to accept the idea of their soldiers training beside Japanese troops, analysts say.

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Japan

Japan ‘alarmed’ by US-UK trade deal as pressure on key industries grows

Washington is retaining the 10 per cent baseline tariff on UK imports, whereas Japan is aiming for zero levy for its exports to the US.

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Subaru cars awaiting export at a port in Yokohama. Japan’s automobile exports are central to its trade talks with the US. Photo: Reuters
Subaru cars awaiting export at a port in Yokohama. Japan’s automobile exports are central to its trade talks with the US. Photo: Reuters
South Korea

How K-scandals are costing South Korea’s entertainment industry

Controversies involving stars like Kim Soo-hyun have caused delays and costly production changes across the industry.

Japan

Japan eyes fully covering childbirth costs from April 2026

Japan currently provides a lump-sum payment of 500,000 yen (US$3,400) for each childbirth.

Japan

Japanese military training plane crashes with 2 on board

The plane is a ‘domestically produced, highly reliable and maintainable training aircraft’ that is used for ‘all basic flight courses’.

Lake Iruka, where a Japanese military training plane crashed on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
South Korea

South Korea’s Starbucks bans use of presidential candidates’ names in orders

Customers cannot use the names of all seven presidential candidates in the ‘Call My Name’ service until after the nation’s June 3 snap polls.

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In South Korea, Starbucks stores run a “Call My Name” service, which allows customers to select a nickname – which they input via the Starbucks app – that baristas use to announce orders when complete. Photo: Shutterstock
In South Korea, Starbucks stores run a “Call My Name” service, which allows customers to select a nickname – which they input via the Starbucks app – that baristas use to announce orders when complete. Photo: Shutterstock
Japan

Japanese woman’s death sparks calls for tougher anti-stalking law

The body of the 20-year-old woman was found at her ex-boyfriend’s house after she had informed the police multiple times about his stalking.

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South Korea

Jeju Air crash families file complaint to speed up South Korea’s investigation

Grieving families demanding accountability for December’s crash have submitted the complaint, naming an airline chief and transport minister.

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Japan

Japan lags behind on children’s mental health as suicides rise, Unicef finds

Japan ranks top for physical health, but youth mental well-being remains a concern, with suicide rates among the highest in wealthy nations.

Amateur sumo wrestlers hold babies during the Nakizumo Crying Baby Festival at a temple in Tokyo, Japan, last month. Photo: Reuters
Open Questions series

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

US-China rivalry doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game: Jessica Chen Weiss

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

China’s rise, potential recession, no WWIII yet: 11 key interviews from 2024

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Why eco-warrior Ma Jun sees hope for China’s role in Cop29 amid US uncertainty

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Historian on why we aren’t heading towards WWIII yet and how wars have changed

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31
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

videocam
40
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

US-China rivalry doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game: Jessica Chen Weiss

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29
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

China’s rise, potential recession, no WWIII yet: 11 key interviews from 2024

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Why eco-warrior Ma Jun sees hope for China’s role in Cop29 amid US uncertainty

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4
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Historian on why we aren’t heading towards WWIII yet and how wars have changed

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31
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
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