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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
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and US President Donald Trump meet on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
2026 Xi-Trump summits

Trump praises Takaichi for doing ‘tremendous job’ ahead of Xi’s visit to US

Two leaders hail their good working relationship, with Sanae Takaichi saying the United States and Japan can look forward to deepening ties.

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Japan

Japan begins clean-up after Typhoon Dujuan kills 4, batters east

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Japan

Video | Typhoon Dujuan brings deadly floods and landslides to Japan

Food and Drinks

Hong Kong-style milk tea that has customers queuing out the door – in Tokyo

Despite none being from Hong Kong, the three founders of Urushi to Hibi have created a unique – and popular – cultural fusion experience.

Strong brewed tea is poured at Urushi to Hibi, a cafe in Tokyo serving authentic Hong Kong-style milk tea. Photo: Urushi to Hibi
Art

Mariko Mori’s landmark Tokyo retrospective traces an extraordinary cosmic journey

From 1970s anime to ancient Jōmon culture and Buddhist thought, the Japanese artist’s retrospective explores cosmic connections.

Style Edit

Style Edit: 45R marks 20 years in Ginza with new 4-storey flagship store

The Japanese brand’s latest Tokyo address brings indigo-dyed denim and seasonal collections into a striking new space, with matcha and art on the top floor.

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China exports

China’s trade limits continue to bite into Japan’s rare earth imports

Rare earth magnet imports fall 17 per cent, following a 52 per cent plunge in July, amid deteriorating ties between Beijing and Tokyo.

China is the world’s largest supplier of rare earth permanent magnets, as well as rare earth materials more broadly. Photo: AP Photo
Japan

Video | Japan’s ‘Suica penguin’ to be replaced in public vote

The public will pick the penguin’s replacement from among 3 candidates by September 23.

Singapore

US firm Waymo to launch robotaxi service in Singapore in 2028

Trained specialists will drive Jaguar I-Pace vehicles and help Waymo adapt its technology to Singapore’s road layouts and other conditions.

Taiwan

Exclusive | ‘Provocation’ could accelerate Taiwan reunification: retired PLA major general

Island’s leader William Lai has ‘challenged our red lines’, Luo Yuan says on sidelines of Beijing’s Xiangshan Forum.

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Retired PLA major general Luo Yuan is a senior adviser to the Xiangshan Forum, China’s flagship security conference. Photo: Simon Song
Japan

Is Japan’s Okinawa finally moving on from anti-base politics?

Frustrated by economic hardship, Okinawans have rallied behind a new governor, leaving long-standing anti-base resistance in disarray.

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US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan, Japan’s Okinawa prefecture, is seen from the air in 2015. Photo: Kyodo/AP
South China Sea

‘Wolf in sheep’s clothing’: why Japan’s Natuna port plan raises alarm in China

Tokyo offers port upgrades to boost maritime security, but analysts say Jakarta is being pragmatic, not taking sides against Beijing.

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Japan

Why Zelensky’s Kyiv invite puts Japan PM Takaichi in a diplomatic bind

Analysts say a Ukraine trip will be an ‘excellent opportunity’ for Takaichi to show her mettle, despite concerns about chilly Russia ties.

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Banking & finance

Hong Kong rated Asia’s top financial hub for fourth straight year: report

City also ranked third overall in the Global Financial Centres Index as Asian hubs strengthened their positions in the top 10.

Hong Kong has retained its ranking as Asia’s top financial hub for a fourth consecutive year. Photo: Jelly Tse
Japan

Japan jails man for forcing Thai girl, 12, into sex work

He had forced the girl to provide sexual services at his private-room massage parlour in Tokyo in 2025.

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A night view near the Kabukicho area in the Shinjuku district of central Tokyo. The Tokyo District Court found Masayuki Hosono guilty of violating the child welfare law. Photo: AFP
China-Japan relations

How Okinawa’s political shift could make Japan more prepared for a Taiwan contingency

Election of governor backed by nation’s ruling party could stabilise the US military presence and drive a defence build-up.

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China-Japan relations

Japan’s WEGO fashion brand is latest firm hit by Chinese consumer backlash

WEGO scrapped a collaboration with an anime and manga franchise that triggered controversy with a perceived reference to wartime atrocities.

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The Philippines

Philippines wants to be a global semiconductor giant by 2030. Can it get there?

An ‘ambitious’ road map aims to more than double annual exports of chips and electronics to US$110 billion by 2030.

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A staff of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines shows chips manufactured in the country. Photo: AFP
South Korea

Can Japan, South Korea move past the ‘comfort women’ issue?

The issue is set to continue rattling ties between Tokyo and Seoul even as they seek to find common ground on security and trade issues.

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Singapore

In Singapore, malls for shopping only are going out of style

Marina Square’s future revamp typifies the rise of mixed-use developments incorporating retail, office, residential and other components.

Japan

Opinion | A tension lies at the heart of Japan’s foreign labour policy

As Japan raises fees for residence permits and tightens the requirements for permanent residency, the effect on long-term settlement warrants attention.

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Shin Okubo subway station in Tokyo on May 18, 2022. The neighbourhood is known for its large immigrant communities, including Korean, Southeast Asian and South Asian residents. Photo: SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
Japan

Japan’s Shinjuku to ban more than half of holiday rentals

The policy will only apply to existing rentals, an official says. It is likely to result in the closure of about 2,000 properties.

Foreign tourists pull their suitcases as they walk along a street near Shinjuku station in Tokyo on Monday. Photo: AFP
Japan

Woman found dead in submerged car in Japan amid record rainfall

Authorities warn of landslides after more than 480mm of rain fell on Niijima Island, the largest amount since local records began.

Style Edit

Style Edit: 45R brings yarn-dyed indigo to Fair Isle and Cowichan knits

The Tokyo atelier channels its passion for textiles into a collection inspired by classic knitwear designs from Scotland and Canada.

South Korea

What a viral Jennie clip reveals about South Korea’s deepfake struggles

Severe legal threats fail to deter a wave of teenage offenders who see digital victims as nothing more than pixels.

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Jennie of Blackpink performs onstage during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 20, 2025 in Indio, California. Photo: Getty Images for Coachella
Japan

US wants foreign warships for its navy. Japan is hoping to be picked

Should Washington commission Mogami-class frigates, it will become Japan’s largest deal since relaxing the rules on weapon exports in April.

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Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force Mogami-class stealth frigate JS Mikuma anchors at a naval base in Yokosuka on September 5, 2025. Photo: AP
Japan

Japan goes on student suicide watch as school term starts

Government data shows student suicide spikes in September, when children return to school after a long summer break.

China-Japan relations

How Japan aims to convert ageing warships into leverage to counter China

Tokyo plans to send retired destroyers to Manila and Jakarta, but it may not demand alignment against China as part of deal.

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