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Tokyo

Tokyo

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Tokyo. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Head of Government

Governor Yuriko Koike

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society founder Paul Watson during a visit to Nice, France, on February 28. Photo: AFP

Whale of a row in Japan as Interpol drops activist’s red notice

Tokyo’s foreign ministry has vowed to continue requesting the Sea Shepherd founder’s extradition to Japan.

24 Jul 2025 - 9:30AMvideocam

Hong Kong weather

Hong Kong airport clears 1,500-flight backlog; operations back to normal Tuesday

21 Jul 2025 - 9:31PMvideocam

‘We are coming back’: how Sega is setting up for gaming glory once again

19 Jul 2025 - 5:15PM

South Korea raids Unification Church as Kim Keon-hee’s corruption probe widens

It is ‘extremely rare’ for South Korean law enforcement to raid the church’s headquarters, the head of a religious research institute says.

19 Jul 2025 - 3:09PMvideocam

Former South Korean first lady Kim Keon-hee, seen here with her husband ex-president Yoon Suk-yeol, is facing a widening corruption probe. Photo: EPA-EFE

Is China a no-go zone for Japanese travellers? Espionage arrests raise concerns

Five out of the 17 Japanese nationals recently arrested on suspicion of spying or other crimes since 2015 are still in Chinese prisons.

18 Jul 2025 - 3:42PMvideocam

‘Pattern emerging’: is China intentionally provoking Japan with close fly-bys?

Such moves signal to Japan that China is willing to monitor and challenge Japanese activities in areas it considers to be its territory, analysts warn.

11 Jul 2025 - 4:27PM

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Artificial intelligence

Chinese start-up Manus AI relocates to Singapore amid US chip curbs

Manus AI has begun recruiting in the city state, offering positions such as data analyst and AI agent engineer.

11 Jul 2025 - 10:45AM

Chinese start-up Manus AI has moved its global headquarters to Singapore. Photo: Shutterstock

China-Japan relations

Will US tariff pressure on Japan and South Korea push them closer to China?

As Washington announces 25% reciprocal tariffs on its two Asian allies, analysts say Beijing has an opportunity with Tokyo and Seoul.

8 Jul 2025 - 10:34PMvideocam

With US tariffs looming, China’s panda diplomacy returns as Japan seeks new loan

Panda loans can be a ‘bargaining chip’ to make bilateral ties stronger and allow China to show it can be a regional leader, analysts say.

11 Jul 2025 - 9:26AMvideocam

‘I’ve lost everything’: the misery of pre-trial detention in Japan

Held for years without conviction, suspects face isolation and pressure to confess in a system decried by critics as ‘hostage justice’.

7 Jul 2025 - 3:13PMvideocam

Fuchu Prison in western Tokyo. Critics of Japan’s justice system say coerced confessions help drive the country’s 99 per cent conviction rate. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong society

Hongkongers forge ahead with Japan travel amid July 5 ‘megaquake’ fears

‘We made zero preparations for the earthquake. The most we do is read the news more frequently,’ tourist says.

5 Jul 2025 - 10:42PM

Travellers at Hong Kong International Airport’s departure hall. Photo: Edmond So

Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Time ripe for Hong Kong to gradually lift ban on Japanese seafood

There have been no major food scares and the monitoring of the water released from the Fukushima plant has found no cause for concern.

3 Jul 2025 - 7:15AM

Accidents and disasters in China

Chinese passengers describe aircraft’s violent plunge before emergency landing

The budget Spring Airlines Japan flight from Shanghai to Tokyo diverted to Kansai where it landed safely on Monday night.

1 Jul 2025 - 6:45PM

China-Japan relations

China partially lifts Japan seafood ban but Fukushima import block remains

Shipments resume under strict conditions but not from Fukushima and its environs as Beijing seeks closer ties with its neighbours.

30 Jun 2025 - 8:32PMvideocam

China has agreed to partially resume imports of Japanese seafood, with strict conditions, two years after first imposing a ban following the Fukushima disaster. Photo: AFP

‘Sad that they leave Japan all at once’: panda fans bid farewell to beloved 4

The remaining two giant pandas are also due to return to China next February.

28 Jun 2025 - 12:18PM

Giant panda Rauhin at the Adventure World amusement park in Shirahama, Japan, on Thursday. Photo: Xinhua

Japan executes ‘Twitter killer’ who murdered and dismembered 9

Takahiro Shiraishi lured his mostly young, female victims through social media, dismembering their bodies after killing them.

27 Jun 2025 - 10:38AM

Nato shelves Tokyo office plan. Is China too powerful to provoke?

Analysts say the decision could be a missed opportunity to formalise Japan’s role as a trusted partner in global security.

27 Jun 2025 - 11:42AM

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Japan’s ‘sushi terrorism’ rolls on with condom prank at Tokyo eatery

The teenager’s practical joke forced a full disinfection of the restaurant. So‑called sushi terrorism first emerged as a trend in early 2023.

25 Jun 2025 - 9:00AMvideocam

Sushi at a conveyor belt sushi restaurant. A wave of earlier “sushi terrorism” pranks triggered national debate in Japan about hygiene, etiquette and online fame. Photo: Shutterstock

Japan’s revolving-door prime ministers: is Ishiba next?

After less than a year in office, Shigeru Ishiba is already under pressure following an abysmal showing for his party in a Tokyo election.

24 Jun 2025 - 10:41AMvideocam

Hong Kong housing

Opinion | Despite property market slump, Hong Kong must increase housing supply

Government should not repeat post-1997 mistake of shelving plans to increase long-term housing supply because of a temporary market dip.

24 Jun 2025 - 9:30AMvideocam

International Property

China’s property slump drives Hong Kong investors to Japan amid yen weakness

Hong Kong investors continue to make waves in Japan’s real estate market, rivalling those from the US, Singapore and mainland China.

22 Jun 2025 - 6:38PMvideocam

A man watches the cityscape of Tokyo from an observation deck located on the top floor of Roppongi Hills Mori Tower. Photo: AP

Japan plans to expand nuclear risk payouts for towns, critics call it a ‘bribe’

The proposal would expand subsidies to towns within a 30km radius of nuclear facilities, up from the current 10km.

20 Jun 2025 - 2:56PMvideocam

Tepco’s crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in the town of Okuma, Japan’s Fukushima prefecture. Photo: AFP

Singapore’s Gen Z sobers up for daytime low-cost parties

Amid challenges in nightlife revival post-pandemic, young people in Singapore and across Asia are opting for affordable alternatives to intoxication and all-nighters.

18 Jun 2025 - 10:35PM

BTS’ Jungkook apologises for wearing ‘Make Tokyo Great Again’ hat after backlash

The 27-year-old K-pop star said he was not aware of the hat’s historical and political significance.

16 Jun 2025 - 4:58PMvideocam

Japan’s host clubs face reform as new law targeting predatory practices bites

Last year, police received 2,776 host club-related complaints, with many involving women being forced into sex work to cover unpaid bills.

16 Jun 2025 - 4:35PMvideocam

Tokyo’s Kabukicho district is famous for its various host and hostess clubs. Photo: Shutterstock

‘Everything politicised’: Tokyo protesters hold anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ rally

Band of demonstrators in Japan is among the first in world due to time zone to stage the movement opposing perceived hubris by US president.

15 Jun 2025 - 11:12AMvideocam

Attendees at a “No Kings” rally in Tokyo on June 14. Photo: Julian Ryall

Japan police gear up to tackle ‘lone wolf’ attacks ahead of Tokyo election

Security has been tightened since former prime minister Shinzo Abe was fatally shot during a stump speech in 2022.

14 Jun 2025 - 1:03PM

US-China relations

Aukus pact up in the air but US to stay focused on countering China: analysts

The Pentagon is taking another look at its security agreement with Australia and the UK, but is not expected to do away with it entirely.

14 Jun 2025 - 9:28AMvideocam

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