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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
People visit a shopping center in Beijing on April 2, 2026. Photo: AFP
China consumption

LVMH touts ‘special bond’ with China amid ‘subdued’ sales backdrop

Antoine Arnault praises firm’s ‘dialogue with Chinese culture’ during global event after lawsuit backlash and sluggish spending mar results.

United States

Okinawa drops opposition to hosting crash-prone US Osprey aircraft

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Exclusive | Why Japanese PM Takaichi is still keen to roll out the welcome mat for Trump

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Fashion

Meet Nina Christen, the quiet force behind your favourite designer shoes

Having co-designed Bottega’s Puddle boot and Loewe’s balloon pumps, Christen has big plans for her namesake label, now stocked at Mytheresa, Lane Crawford, Selfridges and more.

The Helix Buckle Shearling Sandal from Christen, the Paris-based shoe label. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong investors aim to beat markets – but keep return hopes in check: report

AI-fuelled optimism lifts return expectations across Asia, but Hong Kong investors are taking a more measured view, Natixis survey finds.

Hong Kong society

Opinion | Beyond baby bonuses: Hong Kong needs to attract couples with liveability

Tokyo’s struggle to hold on to young adults looking to start families should inform Hong Kong’s efforts to boost the city’s birth rate.

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Science

China-led team hits 83% success rate anticipating earthquakes in study

Strong predictive potential shown as anomalous patterns verified against 12 major earthquakes in China between 2022 and 2024.

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The researchers' findings challenge the long-standing scientific belief that earthquakes are unpredictable. Photo: Getty Images
High Jewellery

Q&A | Sofia Coppola on Cartier, 20 years of Marie Antoinette and long love affair with Japan

We spoke to the Oscar-winning director in Kyoto at Cartier’s launch of the second chapter of the Le Chœur des Pierres high jewellery collection.

SCMP Highlights

Rare Van Gogh painting in Hong Kong; Merry Berry Love: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From a Singaporean grandma deadlifting 67.5kg to Cantopop pioneer Anthony Wong Yiu-ming, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Accidents and disasters in China

Vehicle may have sparked Mongolia wildfire, putting China rescuers on high alert

3,400 emergency personnel deployed to the Chinese side of the border to combat the latest environmental threat from its neighbour.

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Firefighters work to extinguish a grassland fire at the border area in north China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region on Monday. Photo: Xinhua
International Property

‘Mild’ AI job displacement set to rein in Asia-Pacific office demand: report

CBRE says 3.9 per cent of office jobs in developed parts of region are vulnerable to replacement by artificial intelligence.

Central Tokyo’s Toranomon business district. Photo: Getty Images
Hong Kong stock market

Mainland China, Hong Kong stocks fall as US inflation spurs Fed tightening fears

Asian markets slump as recent US inflation numbers boost expectations of a rate hike and a plunge in South Korean market dents sentiment.

Artificial intelligence

AI-armed hackers tear through corporate Japan’s neglected defences

For years, the Japanese language was a defence against hacking in and of itself, observers say. But no more.

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US-China relations

How a new US Army unit could challenge the PLA’s strategy in a Taiwan conflict

A fourth specialised American task force has been established to counter Chinese efforts to keep enemy warships and aircraft at bay.

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The US Army is seeking to challenge the PLA's approach to keep enemy forces at bay and prevent foreign intervention. Photo: Handout/US Navy
Germany

In US-China rivalry, middle powers urged to be ‘indispensable’ chokepoints

By embedding deeply into supply chains, smaller countries that fear being squeezed out of global decision-making can offer a ‘best’ dish.

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Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has described the shift among countries towards more diversified trade relationships as an expansion of global leadership. Photo: AFP
Russia

Video | Russia detains Japanese journalist for alleged espionage

The Hokkaido Shimbun correspondent, identified as Yuki Imai, is accused of gathering information on Russian defence capabilities.

Sanae Takaichi

Japan farm minister submits resignation in first scandal blow for PM Takaichi

Kazuo Yana steps down after vote-buying claims, marking the first cabinet exit for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi since taking power.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

US holds ‘unusual’ civil-military meeting in Tokyo ahead of Trump’s China trip

Diplomatic, administrative and military officials said to have exchanged intelligence and aligned Asia-Pacific priorities and messaging.

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Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of US Indo-Pacific Command (second from right), briefs senior American officials at the US naval base in Yokosuka, Japan, on October 9. Photo: Handout
China’s military drills

China’s Liaoning carrier heads to Pacific as US, Japan prepare for drills

Timing of PLA naval training in western Pacific could overlap with expanded Keen Sword exercise near Taiwan involving 57,000 troops.

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China-Japan relations

Chinese business visit to Russia-held Kuril Islands prompts protest from Japan

The trip to Etorofu aimed at identifying joint Russia-China investment opportunities in the disputed southernmost part of the archipelago.

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Sanae Takaichi

‘I bathe, not to mention make-up’: Japan’s PM says busier than male predecessors

A self-described workaholic, Sanae Takaichi has previously said she sleeps for just two to four hours a night.

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Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attends a budget committee session at parliament in Tokyo on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
Mainland China

Video | Japan’s carmakers are shifting into new hi-tech sectors

The Japanese automobile industry has been under growing pressure since China took over its title as world’s top vehicle exporter in 2023.

Japan’s carmakers are shifting into new hi-tech sectors
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The Philippines

Asia must guard against repeat of 1997 crisis: Philippine central bank chief

The pre-crash boom of the 1990s ‘wasn’t really a miracle’, Eli Remolona says, urging Asean to prepare for fresh shocks.

LVMH

Sluggish Chinese demand weighs on LVMH amid Louis Vuitton’s Molly Tea row

Luxury giant takes a painful hit from slowing sales in Asia due to macro-led deterioration in China and lawsuit against local tea company.

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Global monetary policy

Why the IMF is worried about a global debt squeeze as bond yields climb

Higher bond yields raise debt-servicing costs and increase fiscal pressure across advanced and emerging economies, global lender says.

An attendee at the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok. Photo: Reuters
United States

Why younger Japanese now fear Trump’s America more than China

A survey reveals under-50s see the US as the world’s top threat – driven by growing horror at its foreign policy, analysts say.

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US President Donald Trump during a meeting with Japan’s prime minister (not pictured) at UN Headquarters last month. Photo: AFP
Architecture and design

How food and family inspire designer Steve Leung’s signature spaces

Beyond high-profile projects like the Swim Club at the Kimpton Tsim Sha Tsui hotel, Leung designed his own cosy holiday home in Niseko.

Russia

Russia detains Japanese journalist suspected of spying

Tokyo calls for fair treatment of Hokkaido Shimbun correspondent detained in Russia’s far eastern Sakhalin region.

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