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Japan

Hiroyuki Sanada on how he gave Shogun a real Japanese perspective

Sanada, who has appeared in Japanese films and US blockbusters, talks about making the cultural references in TV series Shogun authentic.

3 hours agovideocam

India

India, Japan boost defence ties with eye on China in Indo-Pacific: experts

3 hours agovideocam

The Philippines

Philippines, Japan to host advanced US missile units in move to counter China

5 hours agovideocam

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks waver as investors assess Trump’s new China tariffs

Trump said he would impose an additional 10 per cent tariff on goods from China.

5 hours ago

US-China relations

Trump is urged to include South Korea in strategic meetings about Taiwan

Recommendation by Seoul-based institute may mark a shift, but analysts say such talks may be needed with a US led by isolationist Trump.

26 Nov 2024 - 6:55AM

Tourism

Opinion | Japan’s soft power renaissance will help it attract the talent it needs

Japan’s enduring appeal should give it the confidence to move away from cautious foreign policy and act to build bridges around the world.

26 Nov 2024 - 5:30AMvideocam

ITTF

Wang wins third straight World Table Tennis Finals title after 4-0 rout of Harimoto

The world No 1 has endured a tough time since a shock loss at the Olympics – that he avenged in Fukuoka – but ended the season in fine style.

6 hours ago

Wang Chuqin putting Tomokazu Harimoto away in less than 40 minutes to mark his third consecutive WTT Finals title, all of which were against his Japanese rival. Photo: Xinhua

Food and Drinks

How an underrated Japanese spirit became a new cocktail staple in Hong Kong

Indian mixologist Devender Sehgal is dedicated to showcasing the flavours of shochu at Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong’s The Aubrey and elsewhere.

25 Nov 2024 - 5:15PM

US-China relations

Opinion | Exit America, enter China? How Beijing can benefit from an isolationist US

America’s abdication as the world’s sole superpower would open up a tremendous diplomatic and economic opportunity for China.

25 Nov 2024 - 5:57AMvideocam

South Korea

Japan holds Sado mines memorial despite South Korean boycott

The mines were listed as a World Heritage site in July after Japan and South Korea agreed to put aside some of their differences.

24 Nov 2024 - 1:27PM

Guests offer a flower during a memorial ceremony for the Sado Island Gold Mine in Sado, Niigata prefecture, Japan as several seats reserved for South Korean delegates remained empty. Photo: AP

Ukraine war

Will Japan arm Ukraine as North Korea reinforces Russia?

With thousands of North Korean troops deployed to support Moscow, Japan’s commitment to Ukraine is being put to the test like never before.

25 Nov 2024 - 8:20PMvideocam

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reviews the troops at a military base in Asaka, Japan, on November 9. Photo: EPA-EFE

Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Working with Japan on Fukushima and RCEP can benefit Hong Kong

Collaboration rather than confrontation would aid Hong Kong’s hopes of joining RCEP and efforts to improve the city’s disaster preparedness.

24 Nov 2024 - 5:56AMvideocam

SCMP Highlights

Recap | Donald Trump tariff tantrums, Japan’s first-kiss crisis: 5 latest reads on Asia

Explore the impact of potential Trump tariffs on Southeast Asia, economic challenges in Malaysia, and more.

23 Nov 2024 - 5:08PM

South Korea

South Korea spurns Sado mines memorial amid lingering historical tensions

South Korea’s President Yoon had made improving relations with Japan a priority following years of disputes of the two countries’ history.

23 Nov 2024 - 5:03PM

South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol during the third session of the G20 Leaders’ Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 1. Photo: AFP

Viral stories

Japan teen girls use hot melted glue to create tear-like droplets in makeup

Trend has been criticised in Japan and China as ‘ridiculous’ for resembling sperm and snot.

23 Nov 2024 - 2:38PM

Japan’s latest make-up trend, popular among teenage girls, involves using hot melted glue to create droplet shapes that mimic tears. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/IG@_griiiiz/X.com

Education

Japan’s youth kiss less, raising concerns over birth rate and romance

A study finds a decline in first kisses among Japanese high school students, raising concerns about the country’s low birth rate.

23 Nov 2024 - 9:53AMvideocam

MTR Corporation

Editorial | Pet-friendly services on right road for Hong Kong

Allowing owners to get away with their animals on buses is not only good for them but also the city economy.

23 Nov 2024 - 6:30AM

Tourism

Japan’s Ginzan Onsen limits day trippers to tackle overtourism and safety concerns

The town, popularised by the film “Spirited Away”, has seen a surge in visitors, leading to congestion, confrontations, and even ambulance access issues.

22 Nov 2024 - 5:55PMvideocam

A cold snowy winter evening in Ginzan Onsen. Photo: Shutterstock

Ukraine war

Outside In | It’s goodbye to ‘peace dividend’, hello to wars and defence binges

Global spending on defence is rising at the expense of social needs. The ‘peace dividend’ years are over.

22 Nov 2024 - 6:07PMvideocam

Artificial intelligence

Fake views: Japan’s Fukuoka apologises for AI-generated tourist attractions

The AI-generated tourism content, featuring non-existent attractions and dishes in Fukuoka, highlights the need for human oversight in AI use.

22 Nov 2024 - 4:08PM

China-Japan relations

Tokyo police seek arrest of Chinese teenager over shrine ‘toilet’ graffiti

The suspect, who also faces a charge of desecration of a place of worship, has already left Japan for Hong Kong.

21 Nov 2024 - 2:15PMvideocam

People pray at Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine. Photo: AP

Science

Why China’s EV battery industry could hit 10 trillion yuan despite overcapacity

Nation’s ‘most criticised scientist’ Ouyang Minggao says lithium-ion advances could power sector to new heights, despite current overcapacity.

21 Nov 2024 - 2:59PMvideocam

Leading battery scientist Ouyang Minggao says China’s battery industry could be worth 10 trillion yuan (US$138 billion) in the future. Photo: File

Diplomacy

Lift-off in Japan and US space cooperation to counter China with Tokyo facility

The Space Force office’s launch comes as China expands its reconnaissance satellites and space-based jamming technology.

21 Nov 2024 - 10:26AM

Donald Trump

Japan downplays Trump pick Gabbard’s warnings of its military threat to US

Gabbard, who Trump has nominated as his director of national intelligence, warned against a ‘remilitarised Japan’ in a social media post.

21 Nov 2024 - 9:20AMvideocam

TV shows and streaming video

Netflix hopes these new non-English series will blow up globally

This week Netflix showcased The Leopard, One Hundred Years of Solitude, and new seasons of Squid Game and Alice in Borderland.

21 Nov 2024 - 6:00AMvideocam

Squid Game is Netflix’s most successful non-English series. The streaming giant is doubling down on local-language programming. Photo: Netflix

Profile

How a trans social worker found community and acceptance in Hong Kong

Sakura Lam, a social worker and trans advocate, talks about finding herself, family acceptance and helping others.

20 Nov 2024 - 5:45PM

Sakura Lam poses for a photo at Eaton House in Jordan, Hong Kong. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

SCMP Highlights

Recap | Hong Kong escalator chaos, Tokyo’s sex trade secret: 5 most-read stories

Here are five of our most popular stories from the past few days. Find out what people have been reading the most on SCMP.com.

20 Nov 2024 - 11:41AM

South Korea

Japanese demand end to ‘comfort women’ funds after politician’s conviction

Yoon Mee-hyang was jailed and fined for embezzling funds meant for Korean ‘comfort women’ in a case that dragged on for several years.

20 Nov 2024 - 8:00AM

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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

Tokyo

Head of State

Emperor Naruhito

Head of Government

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida

last updated:

2 October, 2024