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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
Iwate Park in Morioka, Japan, in autumn. Photo: Shutterstock
Tourism

Millions visit Japan, yet few venture north of Tokyo. Here’s why

Tohoku is just a couple of hours north of Tokyo by bullet train, yet only 6 per cent of overseas visitors visited last year.

China's military weapons

Is China building a new type of attack submarine? Images hint at stealth gains

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Asean

Can Southeast Asia survive more Iran war fuel shocks?

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Climate change

Raging wildfires in France and Spain force over 200,000 to flee

Spain has declared its first national emergency for wildfires, while France is mobilising its armed forces to help with the response.

A French Civil Security Canadair CL-415 aircraft flies past flames burning a forest surrounding Cotignac, southeastern France, on Thursday. Photo: AFP
United States

Outside In | Why Donald Trump may regret reheating his global trade war

Over the coming months, efforts to China-proof supply chains are likely to drive US foreign policy. Success, however, is unlikely to follow.

US-China trade war

Trump’s new tariffs, stock market intervention, mega IPOs

This week: Trump levies new tariffs against 60 US trading partners, China’s ‘national team’ investors prop up tumbling stock market, and Bessent threatens sanctions against Chinese AI developers. Next week: CXMT debuts in Shanghai followed by Zhongji Innolight in Hong Kong after blockbuster IPOs, China’s Politburo likely to discuss economy, ChinaJoy draws gamers in Shanghai, and more.

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China-South Korea relations

South Korea returns looted Qing dynasty lions to China in cultural diplomacy win

Experts believe the marble sculptures guarded an imperial residence before they were taken by Japanese invaders in the early 20th century.

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These Qing Dynasty lions, which stood outside a Seoul museum for more than 80 years, have been returned to China. Photo: Xinhua
Defence

Japan’s overworked defence ministry plans first new bureau since 2007

The ‘long overdue’ move is expected to boost the defence ministry’s capacity to work more closely with allies and ease operational strain.

SCMP Highlights

Fresh US tariffs on 60 economies; first China duo win Fields Medal: 7 highlights

From a new Chinese AI model to a Singapore minister’s resignation, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Middle East

Japanese militant who took part in 1972 Israel airport attack dies in Beirut

Kozo Okamoto was part of a three-man team from the Japanese Red Army group that killed 26 people on May 30, 1972.

Kozo Okamoto on July 10, 1972. He was the only surviving member of the three-man unit that killed 26 at Israel’s Lod airport. Photo: AFP
Defence

Why Japan’s fighter jet future looks ‘more optimistic’ with Canada’s entry

Analysts say the move will be ‘a starting point’ for greater cooperation among like-minded partners amid concerns about US commitment.

A mock-up of the GCAP fighter jet on display at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026 in Farnborough, Britain, on Tuesday. Photo: EPA
Banking & finance

Hongkongers increase cross-border shopping splurges, spending data shows

Price differentials, changing consumer habits make mainland China a ‘major hotspot’ for Hongkongers’ spending, UnionPay International says.

Taiwan

Why PLA jet sorties near Taiwan dropped to a 3-year low in first half of 2026

Beijing is shifting cross-strait military strategy, halving aerial missions and increasing coastguard patrols in the waters near the island.

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US-China trade war

Liberation Day 2.0? US slaps fresh wave of tariffs on China, 50-plus economies

‘Forced labour’ duties replace Trump administration’s original sweeping levies but are unlikely to generate the same level of global shock.

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US President Donald Trump at a rally in Georgia on Wednesday, before the administration’s tariff announcement. Photo: AP
Food and Drinks

How Hong Kong’s Ginza-style bars have evolved in the past 20 years

The likes of Bar De Luxe, Bar Anima and Mizunara: The Library are blending diverse traditions with omotenashi and ichigo ichie experiences.

Ginza-style bars like Bar De Luxe have given Hongkongers a taste of Japanese cocktail culture. Photo: Handout
Earthquakes

Japan’s deadliest fault line shifts, frustrating megaquake forecasts

As small quakes cluster off the coast, a new seabed study shows the Nankai Trough’s ‘locked zone’ is far more fluid than scientists believed.

Retailing

Japanese firm acts to stop 7-Eleven store staff scalping anime, game merchandise

Some owners and employees have been caught setting aside merchandise before its release or buying up large quantities for resale.

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Sanae Takaichi

Japan voters ‘pretty angry’ with PM Takaichi as support frays

Recent opinion polls show Takaichi’s approval rating slipping, reflecting the public’s disdain for her priorities, analysts say.

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Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attends a joint meeting of the committees of both houses on fundamental national policies at the National Diet in Tokyo on July 15. Photo: AFP
Britain

Joe Strummer’s enduring legacy at Japan’s Fuji Rock Festival

Ahead of Fuji Rock Festival 2026, we trace the lineage of Japan’s seminal outdoor music event, from Glastonbury to the patronage of punk idol Joe Strummer.

US-China relations

US Congress weighs new tariffs, sanctions to counter China’s shipbuilding threat

US lawmakers search for ways to tackle Beijing’s rapid rise in commercial shipbuilding and restore America’s diminished commercial fleet.

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South China Sea

Beijing, Manila should avoid South China Sea ‘miscalculation’: top diplomats

Foreign ministers meet on margins of Asean event in Manila, days after fresh sea clash and outrage over video mocking 2016 arbitral ruling.

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Philippine Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the Asean foreign ministers’ meeting in Manila on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
Weather

Japanese agency warns of ‘cruelly hot days’ amid 40 degrees and above heat

At least 14 people have died from heat-related causes in the past week as emergency officials describe the rising heat as ‘a disaster’.

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A visitor stands next to a cooling mist at Sensoji temple in Tokyo on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
Defence

Canada becomes first observer to British-Italian-Japanese GCAP fighter project

Ottawa gains front-row insight into the next-gen combat jet as it seeks to diversify ties amid Washington tensions.

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Indonesia

Indonesia steps up market reforms to avert MSCI downgrade

Investment chief Rosan Roeslani says the overhaul is about building trust, not just pleasing index providers.

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Accidents and personal safety

How should Hongkongers prepare for road trips after Japan accidents?

Automobile association chief and insurance expert urge residents to plan ahead and take precautions after two recent accidents in Japan.

A Hong Kong woman was killed in a car accident in Hokkaido on Monday. Photo: Handout
ETFs

Chinese brokerage quits South Korea ETF as Seoul stock volatility spills over

The Shenzhen-based brokerage’s retreat from Huatai-PineBridge semiconductor fund comes just weeks after stepping in as market maker.

The screen showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index is placed at a dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul, South Korea, on Monday. Photo: AP
US-China relations

Exclusive | Can the US and its allies break China’s grip on rare earths and AI technology?

In an exclusive interview, senior US official says a whole-of-supply-chain strategy is needed to cut dependence on China.

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South China Sea

Japan seeks Southeast Asia sea lanes to avoid troubled waters in region

A proposal to map charts through five straits comes as Japan fears trade disruption from choke points in the South China Sea and off Malacca.

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