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Japan

Latest news, in-depth features and opinion on Japan, covering politics, economy, society, the country's relationships with China, North Korea and South Korea and the legacy of World War Two in Asia.

Capital

Head of State

Emperor Naruhito

Head of Government

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida

last updated:

29 November, 2024

An auction selling fresh meat of fin whales at a fish market in Shimonoseki. Photo: AP

Food and agriculture

Japan auctions fresh fin whale meat for first time in decades

Japan resumed commercial whaling within its exclusive economic zone after withdrawing from the International Whaling Commission in 2019.

18 minutes agovideocam

Badminton World Federation (BWF)

Chinese Taipei badminton doubles pair under fire for pro-independence support

3 hours ago

China’s Communist Party

Japan urges Beijing to protect citizens in China on Nanking massacre anniversary

5 hours ago

Planning a Chinese family’s multigenerational holiday to Hokkaido, Japan

Keeping everybody happy on a multigenerational holiday to the Japanese island proved to be far simpler than feared.

4 hours ago

Cape Kamui on Hokkaido, Japan, has an observatory and lighthouse that can be reached on an easy 20-minute walk. Photo: Shutterstock

Will ties between Japan and South Korea worsen if Yoon Suk-yeol is ousted?

Japan is concerned that South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung might take over Yoon given his stance against Tokyo, analysts say.

12 Dec 2024 - 8:00AMvideocam

War and conflict

Opinion | US presidential transition is the thread tying world’s crises together

As US allies face mounting challenges and tensions rise with adversaries, Joe Biden and Donald Trump must work together to manage uncertainties.

12 Dec 2024 - 8:24AMvideocam

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Editorial | Trump a good reason for China, Japan thaw

Crisis of trust between two countries with fragile economies has to be overcome for both their sakes.

11 Dec 2024 - 11:50PM

US president-elect Donald Trump, at the FOX Nation Patriot Awards in Greenvale, New York. The arrival of Trump’s protectionist agenda when he takes power will give both Beijing and Tokyo motivation to improve relations. Photo: AP

US hotels welcome Indian tourist boom as East Asian demand falters

This comes amid fewer visitors from China, Japan and South Korea as demand from East Asian nations remains lower than pre-pandemic levels.

12 Dec 2024 - 12:31AMvideocam

US-China relations

US conducts first ballistic missile intercept in Guam amid contest with China

Spokesman says ‘it confirmed our ability to detect, track and engage a target missile in flight, increasing our readiness to defend’.

11 Dec 2024 - 9:08PMvideocam

Japanese man turns home into ancient palace to cope with autism

He reflects that he used to unintentionally say things that upset people, but never meant any harm.

11 Dec 2024 - 2:00PM

A Japanese man turned his home into an ancient palace, with a throne-like dining chair, to cope with autism. Photo: SCMP composite/QQ.com

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks slide as China begins tone-setting economic conference

Investors are hungry for more detailed policy measures after a readout from a Politburo meeting earlier this week hinted at broader stimulus.

11 Dec 2024 - 4:49PM

People passed through Exchange Square in Hong Kong. Photo: May Tse

Visit Tokyo ‘baggage-free’ with Japan Airlines’ new hotel luggage delivery service

The hotel delivery service aims to ease congestion on public transport and address the shortage of storage lockers, making travel smoother for visitors.

4 hours agovideocam

Japan’s atomic bomb survivors receive Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo

The Nihon Hidankyo group aims to energise nuclear disarmament efforts with their powerful testimonies amid rising concerns.

10 Dec 2024 - 9:12PMvideocam

US defence chief Lloyd Austin reassures Japan amid China tensions, Trump policies

Austin’s visit, likely his last, aimed to solidify ties and ensure stability in the region, despite potential changes in US military presence and funding.

10 Dec 2024 - 6:17PMvideocam

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (left) shakes hands with Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba n Tokyo, Japan on December 10. Photo: EPA-EFE/Pool

Asian cinema: Japanese films

Love Letter actress Miho Nakayama’s death ruled an accident

No foul play in death of Japanese singer and actress, 54, known for her role in hit 1995 romance, who was found in her bathtub at Tokyo home.

10 Dec 2024 - 11:50AM

Japanese singer and actress Miho Nakayama in a photo she shared on social media. The 54-year-old, best known for her role in 1995 romance Love Letter, was found dead in her bathtub at home. Police say her death was accidental. Photo: Instagram/@_miho_nakayama_

Tiananmen Square crackdown

Tokyo University investigates if ‘Tiananmen’ hack aimed to block Chinese access

Officials are investigating if resentment towards the growing number of Chinese students at Japan’s most prestigious university was a factor.

10 Dec 2024 - 9:30AMvideocam

‘Not your business’: Japanese reject UN calls to scrap death penalty

A United Nations panel called Japan’s method of execution ‘cruel’, among other criticisms of its use of capital punishment.

10 Dec 2024 - 8:07AMvideocam

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Japan offers 1-day student experience for tourists for US$200

‘Naughty students’ with baseball bats disrupt PE class, creating chaos, playfully intimidating classmates.

9 Dec 2024 - 9:00AM

For US$200, foreign visitors can experience a day as a secondary school student in Japan, immersing themselves in the local school culture. Photo: SCMP composite/QQ.com

Japan’s ‘concerned’ exporters brace for tariff pain under Trump 2.0

Japan should work to show Trump it is a partner instead of a competitor, and develop ‘more robust’ ties with other economies, analysts say.

9 Dec 2024 - 8:00AM

Food and Drinks

Why a Japanese spirit has been made with Thai rice for 600 years

Unlike sake, Okinawan spirit awamori is distilled, making it much more potent. To this day it is made with unpolished Thai long-grain rice.

8 Dec 2024 - 2:19PM

Japan man uses wig, props to create dating photos with imaginary girlfriend

Man notes that a natural photo features a shy smile, much like a bashful boyfriend being photographed by his girlfriend.

9 Dec 2024 - 11:51AM

A Japanese man creates dating photos with an imaginary girlfriend, amusing social media, but some warn it may worsen loneliness. Photo: SCMP composite/QQ.com

‘Good listener’ Japan man travels for 5 years, stays in 500 strangers’ homes for free

He finds the wait for a free host exhilarating as it’s like casting bait, waiting for a fish to bite.

6 Dec 2024 - 6:00PM

A Japanese man travels for five years, staying for free in more than 500 strangers’ homes. Photo: SCMP composite/YouTube/X.com

Asian cinema: Japanese films

Love Letter actress Miho Nakayama found dead in bathtub

Japanese actress best known for 1995’s Love Letter, who also had a stellar career as a singer, found dead at home, having cancelled a show.

6 Dec 2024 - 11:45PM

Sexual harassment and assault

Ex-Saudi diplomat investigated for allegedly groping woman at Tokyo club

He is suspected of touching the breasts of the victim over her clothes at a club in Roppongi entertainment district.

6 Dec 2024 - 2:41PM

US-China tech war

US exempts some Chinese firms from chip curbs for Japan, sources say

Washington has excluded some of China’s largest semiconductor companies from its latest export restrictions.

7 Dec 2024 - 10:55AM

Some of China’s largest semiconductor companies are missing on the latest US trade blacklist. Photo: Reuters

Russian diplomats dodge Tokyo parking fines, citing foreign-policy loophole

The unresolved fees ignited online outrage, leading to calls for stricter measures against the Russian embassy.

6 Dec 2024 - 12:00PM

Vehicles at a car park in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: Shutterstock

My Take | Japan should not just focus on abduction issue and reach out to North Korea

Tokyo has demanded the return of its citizens abducted by North Korea over the decades but any breakthrough on the issue is unlikely.

6 Dec 2024 - 10:30AM

Japan’s Nippon Steel races to complete US Steel takeover before Trump 2.0

Analysts say Nippon Steel remains confident as it pushes for the deal to go through, despite Trump’s vow to block it.

6 Dec 2024 - 8:00AM

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