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China-Japan relations

China’s coastguard faces ‘unprecedented strain’ as tensions rise on 3 fronts

The force is expanding its fleet rapidly as it confronts major challenges – especially from the Philippines in the South China Sea.

The force is expanding its fleet rapidly as it confronts major challenges – especially from the Philippines in the South China Sea

1 Aug 2024 - 9:42AMvideocam

China takes aim at US-Japan alliance under American nuclear umbrella

30 Jul 2024 - 7:24PMvideocam

‘Real threats to peace’: China hits out after US-Japan, Quad talks in Tokyo

29 Jul 2024 - 8:21PMvideocam

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US and Japan to revamp military operations to counter China and North Korea

American and Japanese defence ministers also reaffirm commitment to fast-track Tokyo’s acquisition of Tomahawk missiles.

28 Jul 2024 - 9:32PM

The revamp of the US military command structure in Japan is one of the main results of the “2+2” security talks attended by US and Japanese defence and diplomatic officials in Tokyo on Sunday. Photo: via Reuters

Japan’s ‘ship killer’ missiles to be fit for duty in 2025: defence white paper

Japan faces ‘severe’ security environment, defence chief says in white paper, lists China’s military and naval moves as primary challenge.

28 Jul 2024 - 8:00PM

Chinese foreign minister warns relations with Japan risk going backwards

Wang Yi told his Japanese counterpart Yoko Kamikawa that the two countries have reached a ‘critical phase’.

26 Jul 2024 - 11:03PMvideocam

Beijing protests over Japan-Taiwan coastguard exercises

Foreign ministry says Tokyo must ‘abide by the one-China principle’ and ‘correct its mistakes immediately’.

19 Jul 2024 - 9:15PMvideocam

Taiwan’s patrol ship Hsun Hu No 9 took part in the exercise with a Japanese vessel. Photo: CNA

How Japan is pushing its own limits of militarisation

19 Jul 2024 - 4:47PM

Opinion | Will China’s patience run out as threats and provocations pile up?

The scaled-down size of its naval exercise with Russia and the delay in its announcement show a more cautious Beijing. Deterrence appears to be its preferred approach – for now.

18 Jul 2024 - 5:53AMvideocam

Japanese lawmakers will soon visit Beijing. What’s on the agenda?

The visit to China by Japanese lawmakers is an attempt to resurrect the countries’ regular exchanges that were halted amid the pandemic.

15 Jul 2024 - 11:41AMvideocam

Cut-outs depicting US President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump are displayed at a souvenir shop in Washington. Photo: Reuters

Japan says China’s military goals ‘greatest strategic challenge’ to the world

The annual report also said North Korea poses a ‘more grave and imminent threat to Japan’s national security than ever before’.

12 Jul 2024 - 12:40PMvideocam

Chinese and Laotian troops take part in a military exercise in Laos on July 8. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese military simulations of attacks on US air bases in Japan alarms Tokyo

Satellite imagery suggesting China’s military rehearsed strikes on American facilities in Japan sparks urgent security reviews in Tokyo.

12 Jul 2024 - 8:39AMvideocam

Japan may ‘cause troubles’ after Philippines defence pact: maritime expert

Think tank founder says Reciprocal Access Agreement bolsters defence ties between Tokyo and Manila, making up for weakness of US alliance.

12 Jul 2024 - 1:47AMvideocam

Mainland China’s Shandong carrier trains near Taiwan amid major US-led drill

Japan’s Ministry of Defence says a carrier group was spotted in the waters between Taiwan and the Philippines.

11 Jul 2024 - 6:46PMvideocam

Japanese naval forces have been monitoring the PLA Navy exercise. Photo: Japanese Ministry of Defence

Japan investigates captain after warship makes rare entry into China’s waters

The Suzutsuki, tasked with monitoring Chinese military drills on the high seas, sailed into waters off Zhejiang province last week.

11 Jul 2024 - 4:09PMvideocam

Japanese destroyer Suzutsuki docks at a port in China’s Qingdao in 2019. Photo: EPA-EFE

Nato seeks to expand partnerships with Indo-Pacific states, US official says

‘We should be cooperating … sharing threat perceptions’ with Indo-Pacific allies, says National Security Council official ahead of Nato meetings in Washington.

9 Jul 2024 - 6:32AM

China tells Japan to ‘reflect on history’ after Philippine defence pact signing

Foreign ministry says Tokyo should ‘be cautious in its words and deeds in the field of military security’.

9 Jul 2024 - 10:11AMvideocam

China and Japan need ‘frank’ talks to find common ground, Tokyo’s envoy says

Kenji Kanasugi says exchanges between individuals and local governments in both countries can also help improve relations.

7 Jul 2024 - 8:10PMvideocam

Japan’s ambassador to Beijing has urged China to revive a visa-free policy for Japanese nationals. Photo: Shutterstock

Japan calls Chinese buoy in its southern continental shelf ‘regrettable’

Beijing said it installed the buoy in Shikoku and Okinotori to monitor tsunami and does not intend to infringe upon Tokyo’s sovereignty.

5 Jul 2024 - 1:32PM

Opinion | How far will Chinese ultranationalism go in a world lurching to the right?

The ultranationalist comments on Chinese social media in the wake of an attack on a Japanese school bus highlight a worrying trend.

4 Jul 2024 - 10:32AMvideocam

Chinese woman killed stopping school bus attack honoured for ‘selfless heroism’

The authorities in Suzhou paid tribute to Hu Youping and three others who intervened to stop the attack last week.

4 Jul 2024 - 2:42PM

Members of the public leave tributes to Hu Youping near the scene of the attack. Photo: Weibo/ 袁一陀

China welcomes Japanese investment as campaign for overseas capital continues

China’s efforts to woo foreign investment continue, as an official invited business from Japan at a meeting where both countries mourned the victims of a knife attack believed to be aimed at Japanese students.

3 Jul 2024 - 8:56AMvideocam

Former speaker of Japan’s House of Representatives Yohei Kono, front left, and Chinese vice-premier He Lifeng, front right, walk to their meeting in Beijing. Photo: Kyodo

Explainer | China Coast Guard: what does it do and how did it become so powerful?

After another South China Sea stand-off between Beijing and Manila, we look at how China’s coastguard became so formidable.

1 Jul 2024 - 12:30PM

China’s online ultranationalists feel the heat over Japanese school bus attack

Chinese social media has seen a wave of extreme nationalism directed at Japan in recent years amid rising bilateral tensions.

30 Jun 2024 - 6:59PM

Chinese woman who tried to stop knife attack on Japanese mother and son dies

Suzhou police salute ‘righteous and courageous’ Hu Youping, saying her ‘great act of justice’ prevented more people being hurt.

28 Jun 2024 - 5:24PMvideocam

Chinese woman Hu Youping, aged 54, has died days after stepping in to prevent a knife attack. Suzhou police said “her courage and kindness represented the general Chinese public.” Photo: peopleapp.com

Japan gymnastics men’s prime Paris goal is defeating rivals China for team gold

However, the absence of Russia, who are banned from team events, will take away some of the satisfaction from the win, as the three nations have dominated the event since 1952.

26 Jul 2024 - 11:19AMvideocam

Led by Daiki Hashimoto, Japan defeated China to win the World Championships title last October and will hope to beat their rivals again in Paris. Photo: Reuters

Opinion | Could closer North Korea-Russia ties erode China’s regional influence?

Pyongyang and Moscow moving closer together is reason to concern all of Northeast Asia, including China, formerly North Korea’s sole ally.

26 Jun 2024 - 6:45AMvideocam

‘Probably a hate crime’: anti-Japanese propaganda blamed for stabbings in China

Observers say anti-Japanese sentiment in China verges on ‘irrational hatred’, urge Japanese companies to recall families of staff overseas.

25 Jun 2024 - 4:50PMvideocam

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China-Japan relations

Breaking news and analysis on China-Japan relations, covering trade, investment, the legacy of war in Asia, military tensions and the impact of wider issues such as the US-China trade war and South China Sea.