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Japan
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
A man taking an upskirt photo. The wide use of mobile technology has encouraged misbehaviour among some Japanese teachers, analysts say. Photo: Shutterstock
Sexual harassment and assault

Japan gets tough against teachers’ sexual misconduct, voyeurism after arrests

Sexual offences involving mostly male teachers targeting students remain high despite stricter rules against the menace in recent years.

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Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks retreat as Fed warns Iran conflict clouds inflation outlook

Animal welfare in Hong Kong

Call for review over how Hong Kong manages wild boars and buffaloes

Defence

Russian hypersonic jets buzz Japan’s coast in ‘thinly veiled threat’

The exercises send a message that Tokyo should avoid antagonising Moscow or risk ‘repercussions’, observers say.

Footage of a Russian fighter jet carrying Kinzhal hypersonic missiles conducting exercises over the Sea of Japan, or East Sea. Photo: Handout
China-Japan relations

Why Beijing has struggled to rally Asia against Japan over PM’s Taiwan remarks

Many in the region harbour security concerns similar to Tokyo’s and prefer to stay neutral between the Asian heavyweights, analysts say.

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US-China relations

US says mainland China has no plans to attack Taiwan in 2027

Beijing seeks to control the island without the use of force, the US intelligence community confirms in its annual report on global threats.

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Semiconductors

Korea, Taiwan chip sectors most exposed to helium shortage amid Middle East war

South Korea and Taiwan face the highest risk as they source most of their helium from Qatar, while Japan is seen as relatively stable, Fitch says.

An LPG gas tanker is seen in Shinas, Oman, on March 11, as traffic is down in the Strait of Hormuz amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Photo: Reuters
Legacy of war in Asia

Japanese atomic bomb survivor who hugged Obama in Hiroshima dies at 88

Earlier this month, Shigeaki Mori warned that the world was at risk of another nuclear attack over the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine.

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US-China relations

Why delayed US-China summit raises stakes for Takaichi ahead of White House visit

Analysts say the combination of the Iran war and the new date for Trump’s trip to Beijing could put Japan’s leader on the defensive.

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Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks extend win streak amid stabilising oil prices despite Iran war

Hang Seng Index rises for a third day, the longest run since January, as Wall Street rally and steadier oil prices boost mood.

The Hang Seng Index rose for the third consecutive day on Wednesday. Photo: Jelly Tse
Social media

Will Japan follow Australia’s lead and ban children from social media?

A new panel is studying how prolonged social media exposure affects young people, with youth suicide among issues likely to be addressed.

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A high school girl uses her smartphone in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: AFP
China-Japan relations

Why Japan thinks China’s growing cultural clout is something it needs to counter

The global success of Chinese video games and animation – as well as the appeal of traditional culture – has triggered a reaction in Tokyo.

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Malaysia

Why US warships’ pit stop in Malaysia is raising eyebrows

The USS Tulsa and USS Santa Barbara were seen in Penang on Sunday, despite Malaysia’s criticism of Washington over the Iran war.

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Singapore

Singapore’s Lawrence Wong seeks stronger ties with Japan amid global tensions

Wong and Takaichi are expected to discuss economic stability and AI, and tread cautiously amid superpower rivalries, analysts say.

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Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong catches up with Singaporeans in Japan as he kicks off his visit to Tokyo on Tuesday. Photo: Facebook / Lawrence Wong
US, Israel war on Iran

Asia ramps up coal power generation to avoid soaring LNG costs amid Iran war

LNG prices have doubled to three-year highs as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has all but stopped and Qatar halts shipments.

Exhaust gases billow from the chimneys of the Taean Thermal Power Station in South Korea. Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

Military escort for tankers in Strait of Hormuz not long-term fix: IMO head

The UN organisation head said an international naval operation, as suggested by Trump, would not be sustainable.

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US, Israel war on Iran

US military’s Iran war pivot forces security rethink in Asia-Pacific

As assets are diverted to the Gulf, the Iran war’s high ‘burn rate’ risks creating a ‘thin spot’ in the US security umbrella.

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SCMP Highlights

Japanese governor turns heads, Nepal’s new PM is a rapper: 7 Asia highlights

From the unlikely background of Nepal’s new leader to Thai police’s deadly blind spot, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Left: Takato Ishida, the 36-year-old governor of Fukui, attends a session of the prefectural assembly. Right: Ishida attending the Special Committee on Anti-Harassment on Monday. Photos: Instagram / ishida.takato
Jobs

‘Poor’ foreigners not welcome? Japan bets on AI while upping visa fee

Critics say the fee rise is designed to keep ‘poor’ foreigners out, as Japan bets on AI and robots to plug its growing staffing shortfall.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong travel agencies suspend Middle East tours over safety concerns

Heightened safety fears amid escalating conflict prompt tour operators to halt trips and flight transfers through the region.

Defence

Japan identifies 1,500 new missile shelters as ‘front line’ fears grow

Underground car parks and subways are being repurposed as Tokyo warns of the most severe security threat since the second world war.

Japan has confirmed 1,489 sites – including subway stations and underground car parks – as being suitable for providing short-term protection in the event of an attack. Photo: Shutterstock
Vietnam

Vietnam warns of April flight reductions as jet fuel shortage fears deepen

Hanoi seeks new suppliers as China and Thailand halt exports of jet fuel due to the Iran war.

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Vietnam faces potential flight cuts from April due to jet fuel shortages. Photo: EPA
South Korea

‘Catch-22 situation’: South Korea walks tightrope over Trump’s Hormuz call

Seoul is expected to seek national consensus and wait for the outcome of the Takaichi-Trump summit before deciding, observers say.

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Stocks

South Korea and Japan bear brunt of global stock sell-offs amid oil shock

South Korea and Japan lead global market declines – with losses steeper than in Europe – as oil shock underscores their reliance on imports.

US-China relations

China ‘in communication’ with US after Trump seeks to delay trip by a month

Neither US president nor China’s foreign ministry can confirm timing of trip after Trump says he wants a delay ‘because of the war’.

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Talks between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing had been scheduled for March 31 to April 2. Photo: AFP
Robotics

China’s industrial robot output accelerates as factories ramp up deployment

Output of industrial robots jumps 31 per cent in year’s first two months, while production of service robots rises 1 per cent in same period.

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A robot carries a tray of food at the China Mobile booth during MWC Barcelona earlier this month. Photo: AFP
2026 Trump-Xi summit

China says it’s still talking to US about Trump trip after threat to delay

Two sides still ‘in communication’, foreign ministry says, after US leader hints he could postpone visit unless Beijing helps reopen Strait of Hormuz.

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Asia travel

Shizuoka, in Japan, needs more tourists. How does it attract them?

For tourists tired of cities like Tokyo or Osaka, Shizuoka offers a quieter experience of Japanese culture. But how can it market itself?

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