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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
A Japan Ground Self-Defence Force soldier operates a quadrupedal uncrewed ground vehicle during a live-fire exercise in Gotemba on June 7. Photo: AFP
China-Japan relations

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.

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Artificial intelligence

From ‘rice’ to riches: China’s MLCC makers head to Hong Kong to list

Accidents and personal safety

Driver escapes as Ferrari catches fire near Hong Kong light rail stop

Finland

Energy security fears drive global surge in orders for Chinese storage firms

In the first two weeks of June, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Limited (CATL) bagged a combined 5.4 GWh of storage orders.

Envision’s logo appears on its building in Ordos, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China, June 12, 2026. Photo: Reuters
Luxury travel

VI-Pooch? How luxury hotels are stepping up dog-friendly offerings

Bringing pets on holiday has become a non-negotiable for many – here’s how the trend has inspired hotels to get creative with paw-friendly policies.

Artificial intelligence

Japan confronts the dark side of its teenagers’ AI addiction

An assault case involving five Japanese girls has cast a spotlight on the consequences of AI misuse.

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Celebrity style

11 most stylish World Cup bag moments so far

Forget boring duffels – World Cup footballers have been showing off their style game, from Lamine Yamal’s Chanel to Noa Lang’s Hermès.

Jules Koundé and Kylian Mbappé are just two footballers who have had some truly stylish bag moments this World Cup. Photos: AFP
Animals

Iceland resumes whale hunt amid protest

It is one of the only three countries – alongside Japan and Norway – that still openly permit whaling.

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Taiwan

Beijing planning more surveys east of Taiwan to assert sovereignty: state media

Mainland China is ‘diversifying’ its claims with a range of activities ranging from military drills to environmental studies.

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Taiwan

How a prize-winning Taiwanese novel could stoke Beijing’s worries over history

Yang Shuang-zi’s Taiwan Travelogue wins the International Booker Prize – and reignites debate over the island’s shifting identity.

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Author Yang Shuang-zi (left) and translator Lin King pose with their 2026 International Booker Prize trophies at the Tate Modern in London on May 19. Photo: EPA
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.

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

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.

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Malaysia

‘Isn’t it hot?’: latex fan aims to stretch Malaysia’s conservative fashion norms

The Kuala Lumpur-based cosplay fan who has spent thousands of dollars on his hobby wants rubber-producing Malaysia to embrace latex fashion.

The Philippines

Inside Germany’s plan to transform a Philippine Cold War relic

A multimillion-dollar aviation deal at Clark highlights European economic investment as a tool of strategic power.

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A Philippine soldier guards an American F-18 fighter jets on a refuelling stop at Clark Airbase in 2001. Photo: AFP
Banking & finance

Opinion | AI has been known to hallucinate. So have financial markets

Stock markets are booming on the assumption that US tech giants will deliver, but as liquidity becomes scarce, a reality check will ensue.

A sign displays outside Nasdaq on the day of SpaceX’s initial public offering in New York on June 12. Photo: Reuters
Tokyo

‘It was scary’: 10 injured after fire breaks out at Japanese primary school

Most of the injured suffered from smoke inhalation. One teacher broke her hip and two children had arm fractures.

Taiwan

Beijing details rare marine survey east of Taiwan after Tokyo-Manila talks

Move marks mainland China’s latest bid to assert jurisdictional claims in the contested waters following the maritime boundary negotiations.

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Trending in China

Lululemon apologises for China event with actor beating Japanese drum on Great Wall

Percussion instrument blunder at historic site ‘hurts the feelings of the Chinese people’ says music professional.

The sportswear brand Lululemon has apologised over a controversial marketing event which featured a Chinese actor beating a Japanese drum on the Great Wall. Photo: RedNote
Science

The Chinese scientists hoping to use a space solar plant to power the world

The team at Xidian University can zap power 100 metres through the air. But their dream is to send their hardware into orbit.

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South Korea

Will Lee Jae Myung’s G7 gamble preserve future diplomacy with North Korea?

Analysts say Lee’s outreach could help preserve prospects for future diplomacy, but Pyongyang has ‘little incentive’ to pursue dialogue.

North Korea

Japan, South Korea not for nuclear weapons: until one of them changes policy

Should either take lead in acquiring nuclear weapons, support for such a move in the other country could rise rapidly, new US survey says.

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A new US survey revealed that South Korean respondents were in favour of nuclear armament due to North Korea's threat, while Japanese supporters were worried about a lack of long-term US commitment in the region. Photo: Kyodo
Science

Chinese scientists create record-smashing brain implant electrode array

Breakthrough recorded neural activity with high clarity and remained safely functional for 18 months without a drop in performance.

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In animal trials, a new flexible brain implant successfully recorded neural activity with unprecedented long-term clarity and remained safely functional inside the body for 18 months. Photo: Shutterstock
Food and Drinks

Video | Japan raids alleged ice cream cartel

The companies were accused of forming a cartel to coordinate price increases.

Crime

‘Hostage justice’ killed my 16-year-old daughter, Japanese mum says

The lawsuit argues that the girl’s 18-day ordeal in jail traumatised her so much that five months after her release, she weighed just 20kg.

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US-China relations

John Mearsheimer’s talk to SCMP about US-China ties, Iran war

Transcript of international relations expert’s exclusive chat with SCMP Plus about the Middle East, long-term US-China competition, East Asia tensions.

SCMP Executive Editor Zuraidah Ibrahim and political scientist John Mearsheimer. Photo: SCMP
Fifa World Cup 2026

Japanese men picking up World Cup trash get mocked over double standards

A meme criticised the fans who often avoid doing unpaid labour such as cleaning and childcare at home.

Japanese fans pick up trash in the stadium following the World Cup match between the Netherlands and Japan in Arlington, US, on Sunday. Photo: AP
Food and Drinks

Think matcha is Japanese? Think again, says this Hong Kong tea brand

Hong Kong bar owner Gavin Yeung founded matcha brand Celadon after being ‘floored’ by its long history in China before reaching Japan.

Tokyo

How Japan’s ‘cool’ summer dress code for men triggered a ‘harassment’ row

Some women argue against the double standards, saying they have to wear stockings to work even in summer.

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