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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
Tourists are flocking to slopes such as at the Gala Yuzawa Snow Resort in northwestern Japan as the popularity of skiing and snowboarding increases. Photo: Getty Images
Hong Kong society

Explainer | Ready for your next ski trip? How Hongkongers can stay safe on the slopes

Experts advise how to prepare for potential dangers after death of Chinese national from Hong Kong at Japanese resort.

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Mental health

Japan’s youth suicide crisis worsens with record student deaths reported in 2024

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Hong Kong tourism

Easter exodus bites hard as Hong Kong restaurants report 50% drop in business

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Hong Kong society

Hong Kong resident found dead at Japanese ski resort after going snowboarding

Man, 38, had gone snowboarding alone at the Gala Yuzawa Snow Resort in Niigata prefecture and was later reported missing by friends.

Gala Yuzawa Snow Resort is a popular spot in northwestern Niigata prefecture. Photo: GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort
Tourism

Sex tourists flock to Japan’s red-light area, lured by weak yen, social media

Money pressures are forcing women to offer cheaper services, further adding to Kabukicho’s attraction, shelter says.

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Food and Drinks

Meet the world’s first Michelin-starred woman sushi chef

Chizuko Kimura picked up the reins of her husband’s Paris restaurant Sushi Shunei following his death from cancer and regained his Michelin star.

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Viral stories

Japanese singer flies 4 hours daily to university, gains admiration for commitment

Pop idol’s gruelling daily schedule begins with putting on make-up at 5am before arriving at university around 10am for classes.

A famous Japanese singer who travels for four hours a day to attend university has gained admiration for her commitment and dedication. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/IG@yuzwuki
Luxury Hotels

Tokyo hotels face watchdog heat over data-sharing that may have inflated prices

A probe by the Japan Fair Trade Commission found pricing talks between hotel executives might have led to distorted market rates.

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Sex and relationships

In Japan, ‘friendship marriages’ provide partnership outside societal norms

More couples are choosing such an option despite it contradicting their sexual orientation, citing reasons such as social security benefits.

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Trending in China

Chinese woman imitating Ne Zha film’s Lady Rocky attacked for being ‘Japanese’

Man hurls insults at ‘helpless’ woman who passionately portrays character in public square, police launch investigation into incident.

A Chinese woman cosplaying as the character Lady Rocky from the Ne Zha 2 film was verbally attacked after being mistaken for being Japanese. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
Viral stories

Japan tour bus hearses enable families to visit special places with deceased

Final journey with the departed may also serve as a source of comfort for those who remain.

In Hokkaido, Japan, tour buses have been uniquely converted into hearses, enabling families to visit meaningful places alongside their departed loved ones. Photo: SCMP composite/YouTube/QQ.com
China-Japan relations

Japan in ‘tough neighbourhood’, allies need to stand up to China: US envoy

George Glass also said he was ‘extremely optimistic’ that Washington would strike a deal on tariffs with Tokyo.

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Animals

Japan makes it easier for hunters to shoot bears as attacks surge

The revised wildlife law allows emergency bear shootings in populated areas, enabling quicker responses amid rising animal sightings.

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Asean

The ‘stabiliser’? Why Japan is Southeast Asia’s most trusted partner

Amid global uncertainty, Japan’s ‘diplomatic consistency’ and pacifist stance solidified its position as the most trusted major power.

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Tokyo city skyline. A new survey found Japan’s consistent diplomacy made it the most trusted power in Southeast Asia, enhancing stability amid global conflicts and US-China tensions. Photo: Shutterstock
Diaoyu Islands

Is China planning to declare shared control of Diaoyu Islands with Japan?

Security expert warns Beijing may unilaterally claim islets to be jointly administered and dispatch maritime militia there to boost presence.

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A Chinese coastguard vessel sails near a Japanese coastguard vessel off Uotsuri Island, one of a group of disputed islands called the Senkakus in Japan, also known in China as the Diaoyus, in the East China Sea in April 2024. Photo: Kyodo via Reuters
Donald Trump

Japan-led Texas train project derailed by US – is ‘liberal idea’ the reason?

The Donald Trump administration has called the high-speed train project to link Houston and Dallas ‘a waste of taxpayer funds’.

Asia travel

6 of Asia’s most scenic golf clubs for non-members

Fancy hitting the fairways while on holiday? Here’s our rundown of the best publicly accessible golf courses in Asia.

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United States

S&P 500, Nasdaq gain on boost from US-Japan tariff talks

Indexes had extended losses on Wednesday after US Fed chair Jerome Powell warned Trump’s trade policies risked pushing inflation.

Traders work at the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
Tencent

Tencent offers 28,000 internships amid youth unemployment in China

With 12 million fresh graduates entering the job market this summer, Chinese Big Tech companies are ramping up their recruitment efforts.

Viral stories

Taiwan tourist criticised for shaking trees for ‘cherry blossom rain’ in Japan

Surprisingly, her child, standing next to her, starts imitating the action by hitting other branches.

Asian cinema: Japanese films

How Sakura Ando defied traditions to become one of Japan’s top actresses

The Godzilla Minus One and Shoplifters actress reflects on her career, juggling parenting, and future aspirations as she visits Hong Kong.

Sakura Ando is photographed in Hong Kong during her visit to attend the 2025 Hong Kong International Film Festival, which opened on April 10. The acclaimed Japanese actress reflects on her eclectic career, from indie films to Godzilla Minus One, and her future aspirations. Photo: Dickson Lee
Law

Japan weighs new legislation to tackle illegal gambling via online casinos

High-profile scandals involving baseball stars and comedians have exposed a ‘shocking’ lack of public awareness about the law, observers say.

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A study by Japan’s National Police Agency shows online gamblers are mostly in their 20s and 30s, with about 40 per cent saying they did not know that online gambling is illegal. Photo: Shutterstock
Donald Trump

Japan’s shift to US rice as prices soar 70% may allow leeway in tariff talks

Despite Trump’s claims of a 700 per cent levy on rice, the US accounts for 60 per cent of Japan’s tariff-free import limits of the staple.

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks rise on China policy stimulus hopes to counter US tariffs

Chinese property developers rally amid expectations of more policy support for the troubled real estate sector.

Tourism

Oh, deer: Japan’s Nara boosts police patrols to curb animal abuse

The move follows a video of a tourist in Nara’s main park kicking one of the animals, considered sacred in the ancient city.

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Tourists and deer at Todaiji Temple in Nara. Cases of deer abuse by visitors have led to more police patrols in the Japanese city. Photo: Shutterstock
Donald Trump

Trump inserts himself into Japan tariff talks, hails ‘big progress’

According to the Japanese delegation, the US president said getting a deal with Tokyo was a ‘top priority’.

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US President Donald Trump gives a thumbs up as he arrives in Washington in January. Photo: TNS
Hong Kong property

Firm tied to Philippines brand Oishi buys 2 Hong Kong shops

Snack maker adds to property holdings in city as some analysts predict improvements in retail sales.

Singapore

4 arrested in Japan over sales of AI-generated porn in first such case

One of the suspects was reportedly making sales of as much as US$70,000 over about a year from the images.

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