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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
Kank australis was a carnivorous dinosaur that walked on two legs and lived around 70 million years ago. Illustration: Gabriel Diaz Yanten
Science

Raptor discovery in Argentina points to prehistoric links with China

Unearthed on opposite sides of the world, fossils of Kank australis and velociraptors sport matching claws, revealing evolutionary ties.

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Thailand

Exclusive | Bangkok’s ‘Hulk’ governor wants a second chance to smash it

China consumption

Will K-pop give South Korean retailers an edge in China market?

China-EU relations

As I see it | Europe wants a new Plaza Accord for China – seriously?

Instead of hoping for Beijing to commit economic suicide, it would be more realistic for the EU to strike a mutually acceptable trade deal.

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European Council President Antonio Costa (second left) walks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz amid discussions on the EU budget for 2028, in Brussels, Belgium, on June 19. Photo: dpa
China-Japan relations

Chinese translation of Tokyo war trial records fill ‘critical gap’: state media

The 40-volume project marks the first time that the complete court records from the tribunal have been published in Chinese.

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Defence

US and allies flex military muscle on China’s doorstep with multi-front drills

Analysts say the near-simultaneous exercises reflect a shift in US strategy that enables allies to play a greater role in regional security.

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SCMP Highlights

Breakthrough in US-Iran talks; Japan visa hike to affect Chinese: 7 highlights

From deadly school shooting in Philippines to a Chinese man jailed for breeding 300 snakes, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Chinese tourists pose for photographs while dressed in kimonos at the Sensoji Temple in the Asakusa district of Tokyo. Photo: AFP
Extreme weather

2 storms barrelling towards Japan spark over 100 flight cancellations

Mekkhala and Higos threaten Japan with floods, triggering evacuations and factory shutdowns.

South China Sea

US shifts South China Sea reconnaissance towards drones, Philippines: think tank

Reliance on close-in aerial reconnaissance over contested waters comes as large American vessels face growing constraints.

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United States

Asia treads cautiously on Iranian oil exports despite US sanctions waiver

Some regional economies are assessing the possibility of the US and Iran resuming hostilities before committing to buy Iranian oil.

Vessels anchored in Bandar Abbas along the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices have fallen following a US-Iran agreement to end the Middle East war. Photo: AFP
Taiwan

Beijing slams US, European concerns over coastguard patrols near Taiwan

Mainland Chinese authorities reject criticism, saying deployments are necessary response to maritime border talks between Manila and Tokyo.

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A mainland Chinese vessel is seen approaching the waters near Taiwan-controlled Taiping Island in the South China Sea on June 11. Photo: Taiwan Ocean Affairs Council via AP
Crime in Hong Kong

Porn star Erena So arrested in Hong Kong for promoting overseas gambling website

Police discover illegal betting website hiring local personalities as brand ambassadors to attract gamblers.

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China's military weapons

Did the Iran war just prove that China’s ageing DF-15Bs are still big guns?

Military observers point to similarities with Iran’s short-range weapons that have breached US defence systems in the Middle East.

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Animals

Laser aimed at Punch the monkey in Japan prompts zoo’s ‘unacceptable’ warning

A zoo official says pointing a laser at any animal could cause considerable stress and even blindness.

Punch, a baby Japanese macaque, with the orangutan plushie he received after being abandoned by his mother. Photo: Kyodo
Indonesia

Indonesia’s immigration chief urges rethink on wider visa-free access

Immigration Director General Hendarsam Marantoko says Indonesia ‘does not want visitors who do not contribute positively’ to the economy.

Tourists walk through the Prambanan temple complex in Sleman regency, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Photo: Khairu Syukrillah/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
South Korea

As US wavers, ex-minister says Japan and South Korea ‘only have each other’

Former Japanese defence minister Taro Kono said Tokyo and Seoul ‘need to step up our own effort for stability in the region’.

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Food and Drinks

Dish in Focus: Nagoya-style stuffed chicken wings at Always Joy

Matt Abergel turns a chicken wing into one of the diner’s most playful signatures: a Nagoya-style stuffed wing that is crisp and juicy.

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China travel

China-Japan flights to decline 57% in summer travel peak as tensions linger

Of Japan’s top five inbound tourism markets so far this year, mainland China is the only one where travellers require a visa.

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ANA and Japan Airlines planes taxi at Haneda airport in Tokyo on April 12, 2026. Photo: Kyodo
Electric & new energy vehicles

Top CATL boss cools expectations over next major leap in EV batteries

Robin Zeng Yuqun addresses expectations at ‘Summer Davos’ on whether the battery technology would be available in the near future.

US, Israel war on Iran

Asian airfares look set to fall as jet fuel prices ease on US-Iran deal

Budget carriers will lead the charge but the pace is likely to be gradual as airlines wait for more clarity on the Iran war, experts say.

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Futu

China closes another offshore investing loophole as TRS faces restrictions

Brokerages told to halt expansion of offshore-linked TRS portfolios as Beijing tightens oversight of cross-border investing channels.

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Futu Holdings was among the offshore brokerages ordered by Chinese regulators in late May to stop mainland residents from opening new accounts to trade foreign securities directly. Photo: Sam Tsang
China exports

China’s new front in rare earth export violations: rewarding tip-offs

The announcement follows the arrest of two Japanese nationals over alleged smuggling and comes as Beijing tightens oversight of critical minerals.

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Blocks with symbols and atomic numbers of rare earth elements, in this illustration taken on January 21. Photo: Reuters
Social media

Video | Japan’s natto beans go global

The long-time breakfast staple in Japan is known as a divisive food that people either love or hate.

Robotics

China’s robot rush: Morgan Stanley raises 2026 forecast to 50,000 units

China’s humanoid robot industry is scaling faster than expected, with Xpeng, Unitree and others accelerating mass production.

Education in Hong Kong

Hong Kong records 91 suspected student suicides in 3 years, majority boys

Education Bureau says number of suspected fatal cases among primary and secondary students was 32 in 2023, 28 in 2024, and 31 in 2025.

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An exhibition by the Hong Kong Student Alliance on Student Suicide uses a scale to demonstrate the reasons why student take their lives. Photo: William Yiu
China-Japan relations

2 Japanese held in China over alleged rare earths smuggling

Both detainees taken into custody last month about a week apart but at least one not suspected of spying.

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China dominates the production of rare earths. Photo: USDA-ARS
Donald Trump

New poll shows eroding global trust in Trump and America

Pew survey across 36 nations found just 23 per cent of respondents had confidence in Trump to do the right thing in world affairs.

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Sanae Takaichi

Angry anti-war protesters jeer Japan’s Takaichi over softening pacifist stance

Demonstrators shouted slogans throughout the prime minister’s speech at a World War II memorial event in Okinawa.

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