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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
Major General Meng Xiangqing (second from left) leaves a special session at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore on Saturday. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

China dials down rhetoric but regional risks persist at Shangri-La Dialogue

In the wake of the Xi-Trump summit, the US and Chinese delegations dispense with the tough talk of previous years.

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North Korea

Japan PM vows ‘breakthrough’ with North Korea in abduction issue

Banking & finance

Macroscope | Why bond yields are going up everywhere

US-China relations

How US defence chief Hegseth softened tone towards China after Xi-Trump meeting

In contrast with last year, his speech to the Shangri-La forum avoided sensitive issues and did not directly describe Beijing as a ‘threat’.

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Pete Hegseth speaks at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore on Saturday. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

How Philippines and Japan future-proofed ties amid China tensions, US wavering

Manila and Tokyo forge a comprehensive strategic partnership, boosting defence and economic cooperation, as Indo-Pacific challenges mount.

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US-China relations

‘Clear-eyed’ on China: the takeaways from Pete Hegseth’s Shangri-La speech

From the Indo-Pacific to Iran, Hegseth gives the White House’s take on security relationships.

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US-Asean relations

Tariffs, war and broken trust: Southeast Asia’s Trump problem

Disillusioned by US unpredictability, the region is learning to diversify – while Trump treats allies as bargaining chips.

Illustration: Huy Truong
Taiwan

‘Illegal and void’: China condemns Japan-Philippines maritime border talks

Beijing says negotiations between Tokyo and Manila cover area east of Taiwan where it maintains exclusive economic zone.

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US-China relations

How Hegseth might shift his tone on Taiwan at this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue

While the US defence chief gave a gung-ho speech at last year’s conference, reset in Beijing ties after recent summit may prompt moderation.

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United States

Rescuers find 6 more bodies after US paper mill disaster

Rescuers are working in an ;active and hazardous recovery environment’ to recover three more victims.

Damage is seen at Nippon Dynawave Packaging in Longview, Washington state, after a tank containing hazardous liquid imploded on Tuesday. Photo: via AP
China-South Korea relations

How will South Korea’s nuclear submarines alter balance near first island chain?

Analyst cites further Indo-Pacific nations eyeing SSNs, with potential to ‘tie together with the broader US alliance system in the region’.

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South Korea says it will build its own nuclear-powered submarines, with the first vessels to be launched by the mid-2030s. Photo: Getty Images
US-China relations

Hegseth at Asia defence gathering, China-EU tensions, Computex

This week: US allies wait to hear from Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in Singapore, EU works on China trade measures and Huawei announces chip advance. Next week: Computex is held in Taiwan, China reveals PMI, UK foreign minister visits Beijing, and more.

Tourism

Japan’s hefty visa fees, digital entry system move closer to implementation

Once the fee changes are rolled out later this year, the upper limit will be set at US$630 for visa renewals.

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SCMP Highlights

China doubts Musk’s Starship future; ex-TSMC chip prodigy returns: 7 highlights

From Taiwan actress facing backlash to Hong Kong principal resigning over school trip row, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

The Starship and Super Heavy Booster create sound waves on lift-off for the 12th test flight from the SpaceX launch complex in Texas on Friday, May 22. Photo: Reuters
Shinzo Abe

Is self-censorship behind Japan’s ‘problematic’ press freedom ranking?

Media insiders say Japan’s press is rarely overtly repressed, but access pressures and newsroom caution still shape what gets reported.

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A Japanese newspaper staff distributes copies of the extra issue on Sanae Takaichi being elected Japan’s first female prime minister, in Tokyo, on October 21, 2025. Photo: AP
C-Suite Content Hub

Building Smarter Human Experiences

Yiyin Zhao, Managing Director of Samsung Electronics Hong Kong, champions a “human-centred” approach to innovation by integrating global technological scale with hyper-local insights.

By
SCMP C-Suite
US-China relations

China slams US commander’s ‘dagger’ label for South Korea

Chinese embassy in Seoul says US Forces Korea commander Xavier Brunson’s ‘hostile and aggressive remarks’ on podcast ‘crossed the line’.

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China’s Communist Party

Actress Lin Chi-ling quits Taiwan culture board amid backlash

Lin withdrew from the board of the Taiwan Creative Content Agency after backlash from the island’s arts community and Beijing.

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Actress and model Lin Chi-ling at a jewellery promotion event in 2023 in Taipei. Photo: VCG via Getty Images
Space

Japan Airlines wants to blast human culture into space and land it on the moon

The carrier is selling payload space to preserve Earth’s heritage from climate change and war, but sceptics dismiss it as a PR stunt.

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2026 Xi-Trump summit

What to watch at Shangri-La Dialogue after Trump’s China visit resets ties

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth’s speech at Asian security forum to serve as important gauge of whether summit has stabilised US-China relations.

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Sanae Takaichi

Japan enacts law centralising intelligence gathering

The move is a significant first step in the government’s plans to expand Japan’s counter-espionage architecture.

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to the media at her official residence in Tokyo on Monday. Establishing the council is a key aim in the governing agenda for Takaichi, a security hawk who has pledged to strengthen intelligence and counter-espionage capabilities. Photo: Kyodo/via Reuters
Food and Drinks

Your Hong Kong weekend drinks guide for May 29-31

Tipples to tease your tongue, from Bar Tincture’s bespoke cocktails to Jean-Pierre’s French bistro flair and Monkey Shoulder’s ode to whisky.

Bar Tincture opened on the 23rd floor of Foco in Hong Kong. Photo: Handout
Defence

Russia’s military activity has Japan fearing a dual-front war

Japan scrambled its fighter jets 448 times in nine months last year. Most of the intercepts involved Russian or Chinese aircraft.

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China’s military drills

Type 054B frigate makes carrier force debut with Liaoning for live-fire drills

No sign of J-35 stealth fighter but the PLA Navy’s newest and most advanced frigate makes its carrier force debut.

Space

Japan eyes new rules to curb US, China and Russia space arms race

Japan is ‘best placed’ to establish new rules given its space capabilities and strong support for nuclear non-proliferation, analysts say.

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An illustration shows a military satellite shooting a laser at the Earth. Photo: Shutterstock
China-North Korea relations

A quiet reset in ties is brewing along the China-North Korea border

The resumption of train routes and a spike in overland trade underscore a reset in ties ahead of a reported leaders’ summit.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Luxury Spend It

The fountain pen’s unlikely second act, from status symbol to self-care tool

In an era of touchscreens and ballpoints, the fountain pen – used by the likes of Winston Churchill and Sean Connery – is quietly booming thanks to journaling and Gen Z fans.

Diplomacy

Opinion | The 4 trilateral frameworks defining northeast Asia future

As great-power bargaining between the US, China and Russia collides with three regional triangles, finding a balance will be key to managing competition.

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