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Tokyo
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Tokyo. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Head of Government
Governor Yuriko Koike
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
Japan

‘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’.

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Hong Kong society

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

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Hong Kong economy

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

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.

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Passengers reported that oxygen masks dropped as their flight from Shanghai to Tokyo made a rapid descent before diverting to another Japanese airport for an emergency landing. Photo: Weibo/ 林萍在日本
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.

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Japan

‘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.

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Japan

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.

Takahiro Shiraishi leaving a police station in 2017. File photo: Kyodo via AP
Japan

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.

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Japan

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.

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Japan

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.

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Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba leaves following a press conference at the prime minister’s official residence in Tokyo on Monday. Photo: Reuters
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.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
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.

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Japan

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.

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Singapore

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.

People gather at Beans&Beats, a daytime party collective in Singapore. Sober partying movements similar to Singapore’s are taking shape across Asia. Photo: Beans&Beats
South Korea

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.

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Left: BTS member Jungkook wearing the controversial “Make Tokyo Great Again” cap during a rehearsal appearance in June 13 Photo: Handout. Right: Jungkook during a BTS 5th anniversary photoshoot in Los Angeles in May 2018. Photo: Dispatch / Wikimedia Commons
Japan

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.

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Japan

‘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.

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Japan

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.

A member of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan delivers a stump speech at Shibuya crossing on October 26, last year. Photo: EPA-EFE
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.

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Japan

Japan warns of collision risks after Chinese fighter jet manoeuvres

Such actions by the Chinese jet should be viewed as ‘threats’, as any error could escalate tensions in the Pacific, analysts say.

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Aukus alliance

Trump puts submarine pact in rough waters as China touts strength

The Trump administration is reviewing the Aukus submarine accord with the UK and Australia, while Chinese aircraft carriers are charting new courses.

Photo: US Navy
China-Japan relations

China and Japan must beat mutual hostility while also handling tariffs: envoy

‘Japanese companies hold a firm belief that they cannot compete globally without succeeding in the Chinese market’: Kenji Kanasugi.

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Japanese ambassador to Beijing Kenji Kanasugi has told students and academics at Renmin University in Beijing that Japan-China ties are “on a stable trajectory” despite “various challenges and unresolved issues”. Photo: CNA
Japan

In Japan, LA protests are dividing people as much as in the US. Here’s why

While some Japanese agree with President Donald Trump’s crackdown against the protests, others urge Japan to be more receptive to foreigners.

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Japan

‘I don’t want Japan to be such a place’: police face racial profiling lawsuit

‘I am trying to make Japanese society better by stopping questioning based on prejudice,’ one of the plaintiffs says.

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South Korea

South Korea’s ties with Japan face new test after ex-forced labourer wins suit

A 107-year-old South Korean has won his case against Mitsubishi after a court ordered the firm to pay him compensation for his labour.

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A shop in Tokyo featuring Japanese and South Korean flags. Ties between both sides are set to be tested again over a South Korean ex-forced labourer winning a suit against Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Photo: AP
Japan

Top banker tells Japan to stick with DEI policies as Trump’s crackdown mounts

Daiwa CEO Akihiko Ogino told the Tokyo Pride parade that it is ‘important to recognise that there are people with different viewpoints’.

Attendees at the Tokyo Pride parade in Japan on Sunday. Photo: EPA-EFE
Japan

Japan grows restless for next-gen fighter jets as progress with UK, Italy stalls

Japan finds its ageing aircraft outmatched by China’s advanced stealth jets amid setbacks to the trilateral Global Combat Air Programme.

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Japan

Japan making progress but no ‘agreement’ on Trump tariffs: trade negotiator

Ryosei Akazawa said tariffs are unacceptable, but Japan is proposing a tariff reduction plan tied to a country’s contribution to the US auto industry for a deal.

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