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Japan
Japan
Latest news, in-depth features and opinion on Japan, covering politics, economy, society, the country's relationships with China, North Korea and South Korea and the legacy of World War Two in Asia.
Capital
Tokyo
Head of State
Emperor Naruhito
Head of Government
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida
Fumio Kishida
last updated:
29 November, 2024
The Opposites’ spirit-free menu, which includes this Apple Custard Pie tipple, is perfect for welcoming the new year with a healthier mindset. Photo: Handout
Food and Drinks

Your Hong Kong weekend drinks guide for December 27-29

This weekend, say farewell to a popular speakeasy, make the rounds of Hong Kong’s brightest new bars, and welcome the new year with booze-free tipples.

China-Japan relations

Japan offers to ease visa rules for Chinese tourists during foreign minister’s visit

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Cambodia

Cambodia’s approval of Japanese naval visits signals ‘balanced’ foreign policy

China-South Korea relations

Chinese, South Korean foreign ministers in first call since martial law crisis

Foreign ministry says China won’t interfere because ‘South Korean people have the wisdom and ability to properly handle domestic issues’.

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South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol has told China’s Wang Yi that having an acting leader will not change his government’s position on developing a South Korea-China strategic cooperative partnership. Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Aviation accidents

Coastguard plane in Japan airport crash mistook taxi order for runway clearance

Japan Transport Safety Board releases recordings from the aircraft that collided with a JAL jetliner at Haneda airport in January.

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Defence

‘Japan’s neighbourhood more dangerous’? Fears over Chinese land purchases

New study shows Chinese nationals or entities bought 203 of 371 properties or land close to sensitive sites in Japan in the past year.

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Jobs

‘Very worrying’: record 78% of people in Japan feel anxious, survey shows

Economy, rising prices, uncertain job prospects and the state of the world among reasons for concern, as more feel standard of living declining.

A new survey shows a record high 78.2 per cent of Japanese people are anxious about their lives. Photo: Getty Images
Diaoyu Islands

Will a firm US stance on Diaoyu Islands be too ‘provocative’ for Japan?

US analyst urges Trump to resume military exercises on disputed islands to send message of deterrence to China, reinforce sovereignty stance.

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Education

‘Baby hatch’ boy, now grown up, teaches kids to love life

Koichi Miyatsu, whose mother died when he was a baby, runs an education programme in Japan based on his being raised by foster parents.

United States

Fate of Nippon Steel’s ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ bid for US Steel in Biden’s hands

Joe Biden has 15 days to decide on the US$15 billion sale, amid opposition from key stakeholders, and president-elect Trump, who says it is a national security risk.

US President Joe Biden speaks about his proposed Federal budget for the fiscal year 2024 at the Finishing Trades Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 9, 2023. Photo: AFP
Electric & new energy vehicles

Japan’s Honda, Nissan aim to merge

The carmakers cited increased competition from Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers as one reason behind the merger

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Hong Kong stock market

Hang Seng Index closes above 20,000 on mainland Chinese buying

The benchmark gained 1.1 per cent, the most in nearly two weeks, while the turnover on the exchange was 14 per cent below average.

North Korea

Revolution, elections and a baby hippo, this was the year in Asia

From climate change to political storms and a Taylor Swift world tour, Asia in 2024 was characterised by turbulence and surprises.

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Robotics

China’s industrial robot sales shrink on ‘tightening demand’

Total industrial robot deliveries this year are estimated to reach 300,000 units, down 5 per cent from 2023.

China had 470 robots per 10,000 employees in 2023, up from 402 units a year earlier. Photo: Shutterstock
Electric & new energy vehicles

Japan’s Honda and Nissan join forces to create world’s third-largest carmaker

This move comes as the industry transitions away from fossil fuels and towards electric vehicles, where Japanese companies have lagged behind their rivals.

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Logos of Nissan Motor Corporation and Honda are seen at a joint press conference on their merger talks, in Tokyo, Japan on December 23. Photo: Reuters
Tourism

Japan’s picturesque Ginzan Onsen starts limiting day trippers during winter

New rules aim to ease crowding, traffic congestion, improve safety, and preserve the charm of a town known for its snowy scenes.

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Population

Can nuclear waste save this Japanese town?

The mayor of Suttsu volunteered the northern town as a potential storage site for nuclear waste generated by Japan’s atomic energy grid

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Food and Drinks

Japan brewery aims to make world’s first space sake, sell it for US$640,000

Asahi Shuzo said the ingredients would be sent to the International Space Station in late 2025.

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Bottles of Japanese sake brands on display at a store in Okaya, Nagano prefecture. Photo: AP
Environment

Name and shame rule: Fukushima raises a stink over improper waste disposal

Errant individuals will be given a verbal warning but repeat offenders may see their names appearing on Fukishima’s official website.

Asia travel

Recap | Unmissable Japan, from Fukuoka’s yatai feasts to luxury ryokans and a samurai’s trek

Looking for a reason to visit Japan? Well, here are five, from a culinary adventure along a historical samurai trek and Okinawa’s gems, to the best Mount Fuji has to offer.

Malaysia

Malaysian influencer behind South Korea tour mess denies fleeing to Japan

The travel operator said she is willing to cooperate with the authorities as losses linked to the alleged scam hit US$100,000.

Kim Seri is a Seoul-based Malaysian social media influencer. Photo: Instagram/kimseri_eina
Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks end week lower as traders look for catalysts

Tencent advances 2.7 per cent on move to introduce a gifting tool on its WeChat platform; chipmaker SMIC jumps 8.2 per cent.

Women walk past by a display showing the Shanghai stock market index outside a brokerage in Beijing. Photo: AP Photo
Ageing society

Small Japanese firms are going broke at rapid pace amid dire worker shortage

In the first half of this year, 182 companies went under in the country which faces a deficit of 3.4 million workers by decade’s end.

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Espionage

Japanese ‘trainspotters’ detained in Belarus for spying spark tensions

One expert believes the arrests highlight Belarus’s paranoia near its border with Ukraine.

Diplomacy

Opinion | China can win Japan and South Korea over from a US under Trump

Amid political changes in the three countries, China can carve out a new strategic landscape in East Asia by offering trade and cooperation.

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South Korean protesters wear masks of President Yoon Suk-yeol (centre), US President Joe Biden and then Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida as they demonstrate against a trilateral military exercise in front of the US embassy in Seoul on June 27. Photo: AFP
LGBTQ

‘Make the nation happier’: Japan PM’s same-sex marriage comment spurs hope

His remarks come after a series of court rulings saying the country’s current prohibitions on marriage equality were unconstitutional.

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Plaintiffs and their supporters celebrate after a Japanese high court ruled that the country’s refusal to recognise same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, outside the Fukuoka High Court in southern Japan, on December 13. Photo: AP
Taiwan

Is Taiwan a factor in US decision to start moving marines from Okinawa to Guam?

Move has been in the pipeline for over a decade, but Washington has only just agreed to start relocating its first troops stationed in Japan.

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Food and Drinks

Why, for skiers heading to Japan, Niseko and Rusutsu still reign

As ski resort areas in Hokkaido draw growing numbers of international tourists, we drop in to catch up on the latest best dining options.

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