Advertisement
Advertisement
TOPIC

China-Japan relations

Related Topics:
China-Japan relations
Breaking news and analysis on China-Japan relations, covering trade, investment, the legacy of war in Asia, military tensions and the impact of wider issues such as the US-China trade war and South China Sea.
Open Questions series

Economist James Heckman on the value of risk-taking, and China’s ‘common goal’

videocam
7
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

videocam
15
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky

7
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish

videocam
5
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

videocam
18
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended

videocam
93
Illustration: Henry Wong

Economist James Heckman on the value of risk-taking, and China’s ‘common goal’

videocam
7
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

videocam
15
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky

7
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish

videocam
5
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

videocam
18
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended

videocam
93
Illustration: Henry Wong
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
Former general and Japanese prime minister Hideki Tojo is surrounded by members of the military court in Tokyo during his trial on January 19, 1948. Photo: Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images
WWII

Chinese translation of Tokyo war trial records fill ‘critical gap’: state media

The 40-volume project marks the first time that the complete court records from the tribunal have been published in Chinese.

videocam
5
China consumption

Open Questions | Nomura economist on China’s deflation woes, fraught Japan ties

videocam
China travel

China-Japan flights to decline 57% in summer travel peak as tensions linger

videocam
10
China exports

China’s new front in rare earth export violations: rewarding tip-offs

The announcement follows the arrest of two Japanese nationals over alleged smuggling and comes as Beijing tightens oversight of critical minerals.

videocam
Blocks with symbols and atomic numbers of rare earth elements, in this illustration taken on January 21. Photo: Reuters
Japan

2 Japanese held in China over alleged rare earths smuggling

Both detainees taken into custody last month about a week apart but at least one not suspected of spying.

videocam
4
Mainland China

Japan’s visa fee jump to hit Chinese tourists hard, straining tense ties

Beyond the fivefold visa fee spike, flight shortages and soaring airfares expected to deter price-sensitive Chinese travellers, analysts say.

videocam
4
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Tokyo

Japan’s defence outreach to counter China in the region hits hidden roadblocks

Tokyo’s approach combines security, economic and diplomatic tools to show regional nations an alternative to the China-US dilemma.

videocam
18
After Japan lifted its ban on lethal weapons exports in April, it can sell defence equipment to 17 countries, including six Asean nations. Photo: EPA
China’s aircraft carriers

China says it warned off multiple Japanese ‘provocations’ during carrier drills

State media airs footage of several encounters involving warships and planes during the Liaoning carrier group’s recent operations in the Pacific.

videocam
6
Japan

Japan’s latest live-fire drill is about offence, not defence: PLA Daily

Tokyo’s forces will become ‘more offensive, more dangerous and more oriented towards actual combat’, Chinese military mouthpiece says.

videocam
24
Rare earths

China resumes gallium exports to Japan after 4-month suspension

The resumption of exports is expected to be tied to civilian demand, as the metal is a key material in chips, fibre optics and EV chargers.

5
A block with the symbol, atomic number and mass number of gallium is seen in this illustration taken February 6, 2026. Photo: Reuters
Japan

Macroscope | Why Japan’s proposal for G7 critical mineral stockpiles is a bad idea

Tokyo’s overtures towards the G7 assume that China is a threat to be countered with economic or security measures.

videocam
9
(From left) Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, US President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz prepare for a group picture at Hotel Royal during the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France on June 16. Photo: EPA
China exports

Do China’s export curbs on tungsten threaten Japan’s AI chip supply chain?

Tungsten-based materials are widely used in semiconductor manufacturing, and recent supply constraints highlight growing vulnerabilities.

videocam
8
Mainland China

Wartime apology author and Japan-China ‘bridge’ Yohei Kono dies at 89

Trade delegation to Beijing postponed after death of prominent backchannel figure who served as Japanese chief cabinet secretary.

videocam
Taiwan

What’s behind Beijing’s seabed mapping east of Taiwan?

Expert says knowledge of the waters and seabed could allow ‘more effective submarine and anti-submarine operations’.

videocam
4
Beijing’s Haixun 08 vessel – China’s largest and most advanced survey ship – conducted survey operations covering 1,025 nautical miles during the five-day operation. Photo: Handout
Taiwan

Beijing detects suspected Japanese spy planes near Taiwan

Two crewed electronic reconnaissance aircraft sent to ‘snoop around’ and observe mainland Chinese vessels, leading PLA analyst says.

7
One of the two aircraft detected by Beijing sported the signature blue-and-white livery and markings of the Japan Coast Guard. Photo: Weibo
Taiwan

Has a diplomatic feud prompted China to press pause on Japanese film and music?

This week’s Shanghai film festival doesn’t include any movies from Japan – the latest sign of an unofficial boycott.

videocam
Japan

Japan museum under fire for ‘rewriting history’ with Nanking ‘incident’ label

Conservatives force the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum to drop the word massacre, a move critics say downplays Japan’s wartime aggression.

videocam
34
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
China's military weapons

China urged to fast-track carrier fleet upgrades as Japan boosts strike power

A potential gap that China’s carrier strike groups ‘need to address is the limited number of stealth fighters’, former PLA Navy officer says.

videocam
49
A J-15 fighter jet takes off from the PLA Navy aircraft carrier Shandong. China’s two older aircraft carriers are expected to become able to operate the J-35 stealth fighter, like the newest Fujian. Photo: Handout
Taiwan

Beijing sends largest patrol ship east of Taiwan after Japan-Philippine talks

Communist Party mouthpiece warns the two countries are becoming a ‘source of trouble’ and putting regional peace at risk.

videocam
16
Taiwan

Are Japan-Philippines talks a maritime red line for China’s blue-water ambitions?

Analysts warn the Tokyo-Manila boundary negotiations will be seen in Beijing as an attempt to challenge its position on Taiwan.

videocam
40
The Philippines

Japan-Philippines maritime talks 2026

SCMP’s coverage of the ongoing maritime and defence talks between Japan and the Philippines. The high-level summits began in late May 2026 to China’s condemnation.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (right) and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr (left) shake hands before talks in Tokyo on May 28, 2026. Photo: Kyodo
China-Philippines relations

How Beijing could use its military and trade to hit back at Tokyo-Manila ties

Chinese experts warn the pair could pose a threat in a conflict over Taiwan, urge tough economic and military measures.

videocam
6
Japan and the Philippines began to bolster their defense links in August last year. Photo: Kiyoshi Ota/Pool Bloomberg via AP
Taiwan

How Japan, Philippines are building a maritime security front against China

Tokyo-Manila defence cooperation is linking Pacific flashpoints, with broad implications for Beijing, analysts say.

videocam
14
Cook Islands

Rising seas: Japan makes pitch to Pacific nations caught in US-China rivalry

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi tells summit that Tokyo is committed to helping regional partners strengthen ‘autonomy and resilience’.

7
China-South Korea relations

South Korea and Japan eye military logistics pact. Should China be wary?

Northeast Asian neighbours signal closer security ties, but wartime history and Seoul-Beijing relations could stand in the way, analysts say.

6
A military logistics support agreement between Japan and South Korea could simplify the exchange of supplies – such as ammunition, fuel and food – during emergencies or joint operations. Photo: Kyodo
Taiwan

Why have Japan and the Philippines’ maritime boundary talks angered China?

A new flashpoint has opened up in the western Pacific Ocean with Beijing expected to strengthen its presence in the waters east of Taiwan.

10
Coastguard vessels from the Chinese mainland were spotted southeast of Orchid Island off the southeastern coast of Taiwan on Monday. Photo: Getty Images
US-China relations

Hegseth tones down China rhetoric on return to Asia

US defence secretary Pete Hegseth adopted a noticeably less hostile tone towards China in his address at this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue.

Taiwan

China responds to Japan-Philippines boundary talks with expanded sea patrols

Coastguard vessels carried out law enforcement patrols in waters east of Taiwan on Monday, in a ‘necessary action’, spokesman says.

videocam
12
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement