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The latest breaking news and stories on Japan, a country in East Asia known as a constitutional monarchy, and the world’s fifth largest economy. Also covering Japan’s relationship with China and Asia, plus commentary and updates on Japan’s economy, politics, society and trade.
Capital
Tokyo
Head of State
Emperor Naruhito
Head of Government
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida
Fumio Kishida
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sparked tensions with Beijing in November when she suggested Japan’s military might intervene in the event of a Taiwan conflict. Photo: via Reuters
Two Sessions 2026

Wang Yi warns Japan on Taiwan ‘red line’, dashing hopes of ending diplomatic row

Invoking the legacy of WWII resistance, top diplomat cautions Tokyo against interfering in China’s affairs.

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong must ensure motherhood no longer derails women’s careers: advocates

Two Sessions 2026

Takeaways from Foreign Minister Wang Yi at China’s ‘two sessions’

Women and gender

80 years on, gender gap persists in Japanese politics

New research shows there has been little change since women in Japan first exercised their right to vote nearly 80 years ago.

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Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (centre, front) walks down the stairs to pose for a photo session with members of her cabinet in Tokyo on February 18. Photo: EPA
Pop culture in Asia

Video | Why the crunch-ridden anime industry rejects AI as a lifeline

Despite the Japanese anime industry being valued at a whopping 3.8 trillion yen (US$24.3 billion), most animators work 10-hour days earning only 700 yen (US$4.50) per hour.

Science

What is the moon’s far side made of? Chinese scientists use AI to crack mystery

Findings add to a growing body of insights from China’s historic Chang’e-6 mission to the lunar far side in 2024.

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Qatar

Qatar’s LNG halt exposes Asia’s energy vulnerability

Analysts say the turmoil underscores Asia’s need to shift to renewable energy, as nations scramble for alternatives amid the disruption.

QatarEnergy’s liquefied natural gas production facilities in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar, on Monday. Photo: Reuters
Arctic

Middle powers Canada, South Korea set Arctic course between China-Russia and US

Seoul’s security agreement with Ottawa is also a ‘hedge’ against a transactional Washington, an analyst says.

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Sexual harassment and assault

Japan’s manga industry faces a ‘#MeToo moment’ after Shogakukan scandal

Prominent creators pull their work as the publisher launches a probe into how a convicted author returned under a pen name.

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Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks record steepest weekly slump in 4 months on US-Iran war

For the week, the Hang Seng Index fell 3.3 per cent, the worst weekly performance since November 21.

Shares in Hong Kong have been pummelled this week by the US-Iran war. Photo: Dickson Lee
China-Japan relations

Japan weighs military upgrade on Iwo Jima as China deepens Pacific activity

Tokyo is reportedly planning to enhance facilities and station aircraft on the island, and establish a Pacific defence initiative office.

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The island of Iwo Jima, with Mount Suribachi in the foreground, is seen from a Japanese Air Self-Defence Force transport plane. Photo: Reuters
Defence

Can Japan build a ‘China-free’ military? The high price of defying a rival

Tokyo’s bid to boost ‘self-reliance’ may be costly and could take years given China’s dominance in critical materials, analysts say.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | Are investors spooked by Iran violence? Market response suggests not

Renewed fighting in the Middle East bodes ill for the global economy, but it is not yet enough to counterbalance other short-term factors.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Customs seizes record HK$233 million in gold and silver hidden in air cargo

Officers find 168kg of gold foil and 285kg of silver foil hidden in household cleaning machines destined for Japan.

Customs displays the precious metals seized during the operation. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong tourism

Sky-high jump in airfares from Hong Kong to Europe, Americas – even Asian cities

Economy-class fares to Paris, Rome and New York surge while cheapest return flight to Tokyo costs nearly HK$5,000.

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The escalation of the conflict has thrown Middle Eastern airspace into chaos, grounding tens of thousands of flights and stranding passengers across major aviation hubs. Photo: Eugene Lee
Space

Failure to launch: Japan’s Space One aborts Kairos flight after lift-off

The start-up has so far had three failed launches in its attempt to become the first Japanese private entity to put a satellite into orbit.

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks rebound with Asian peers as “two sessions” opens in China

South Korea’s Kospi leads Asia-Pacific gains, jumping nearly 10 per cent to recover nearly all of its record 12 per cent drop.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong woman, 30, arrested over illegal sale of slimming injection

Seized item was Mounjaro injection pen manufactured by US pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, but labelled in Japanese.

The seized item was a Mounjaro injection pen manufactured by US pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, Photo: ISD
US-China relations

Khamenei’s fall exposes China’s military AI lag versus US: Beijing adviser

Zheng Yongnian cites precision strikes on Iran and earlier Venezuela raid to warn about risks posed by deep AI integration in US military.

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Technology

Asian tech stocks reel as US-Iran war threatens infrastructure and supply chains

South Korea’s Kospi is the worst-hit in Asia, with Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix falling 11.7 per cent and 9.6 per cent, respectively.

International Property

Singapore offices cost the most to outfit, Asia-Pacific survey says

Fit-out costs in the city average more than US$2,000 per square metre, topping Tokyo, with Hong Kong in eighth, Knight Frank report says.

Rents have been rising amid falling vacancy rates in Singapore’s central business district. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong stock market

Oil surge stokes inflation fears as Middle East flashpoint rattles markets

Rising oil prices are shaking global markets as investors rethink rate-cut bets and brace for slower growth and renewed inflation.

The spike in energy costs has revived fears of a renewed bout of inflation, raising the risk of slower global growth. Photo: AFP
North Korea

North Korea’s hostage strategy packs more bite in post-Iran US shake-up

The Pentagon wants Seoul to shoulder more of its defence burden. Analysts say it may have strengthened Kim Jong-un’s hand instead.

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Religion

Muslims in Japan were falsely blamed for illegal buildings. Then came the fires

It started with social media posts falsely blaming Muslims for building violations. Then came the fires.

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Shinzo Abe

Japanese court upholds order to dissolve Unification Church over donations

The order will take immediate effect, with the group losing its religious corporation tax status and liquidation procedures to begin.

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Security personnel stand guard outside the Unification Church headquarters in Tokyo on Wednesday. Photo: Kyodo
Hong Kong stock market

Surging oil prices drive Hong Kong stocks to 3-month low on inflation jitters

Brent crude gains 1.3 per cent to US$82.46, while Nymex futures rise 1.1 per cent to US$75.36.

Rising oil prices due to the US-Iran war risks stoking inflation globally. Photo: Reuters
Crime

In Japan, a yakuza’s mansion is now for sale. Here’s why

Set to be sold due to a court order, the house was the target of a drive-by shooting and an arson attack in recent years.

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Drugs

‘Social morals are dying’: Japan’s under-20s are getting high like never before

The relaxed attitude towards ‘fashionable’ drugs has been cited as one reason for more young Japanese arrested for cannabis offences.

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