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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
Fumio Kishida
Members of an adult skating class at Kozuka Academy. In Japan, adult figure skating is rapidly rising in popularity. Photo: Instagram/kozukaacademy
Wellness

Adult figure skating classes all the rage at ice rinks in Japan

In Japan, adult figure skating is booming. Skaters, some over 80, are inspired by former stars or by a desire to build stronger muscles.

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Viral stories

Young Japan woman dedicates 6 years to driving trucks to challenge stereotypes

US-Japan relations

Toyota ‘doesn’t break down’: why there’s hardly any love for US cars in Japan

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Video gaming

Xbox joins PlayStation in raising console prices amid US tariffs

Hefty levies imposed by Trump on manufacturing hubs such as Japan, China and Vietnam have led to a surge in console prices.

Visitors play games on Xbox consoles during a video game fair in Paris. Photo: AFP
Donald Trump

Japan says its US$1 trillion in US Treasuries could be leverage in trade talks

A huge US Treasury sell-off in April was reportedly one factor that led Trump to announce a 90-day pause on his ‘reciprocal’ tariff plan.

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Crime

Japanese police arrest man for ploughing his car into children

The seven children, who had been on their way home from school, were injured and rushed to hospital but all remained conscious.

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Social media

Fake Japanese police uniform, reportedly from China, sparks real-life concerns

Concerns have arisen over images of a man wearing a realistic Japanese police uniform, suggesting a risk of impersonating an officer, which is illegal in Japan.

A man has raised concerns online after posting images of himself in a realistic Japanese police uniform replica. Photo: Handout
Family offices

Hong Kong family offices should unload US assets, look to Japan, UAE, advisory says

Now is a ‘critical moment’ to ‘get rid of the US’, especially equities and Treasuries, to ‘maintain lower risk-return ratios’, CEO says.

Icons and Influencers

Style according to … Han Chong, founder of fashion brand Self-Portrait

The designer enjoyed Adrien Brody vehicle The Brutalist, and says he never goes anywhere without the protection of a beloved Bhutanese pendant – but who is his timeless style icon?

US-China relations

Quarter of Americans see Chinese-Americans as possible threat: poll

Survey by Asian American Foundation also says 63 per cent of Asian-Americans report feeling unsafe.

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A survey found that some 63 per cent of Asian-Americans reported feeling unsafe in day-to-day situations. Photo: Shutterstock
US-Japan relations

Japan must ‘resolutely reject’ Trump’s military cost demand: ex-minister

‘Japan has already been paying more than enough for defence,’ Seiji Maehara says.

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US troops conduct a parachuting drill at an airbase in Japan’s Okinawa last year. Photo: Kyodo
The Philippines

Japan’s Southeast Asia diplomacy ramps up as Ishiba courts Hanoi and Manila

Ishiba’s visits follow Chinese President Xi Jinping’s own tour of the region, reflecting a broader competition for influence.

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Hong Kong property

Hong Kong office tenants pay world’s second-highest costs: Savills

City’s office-space costs, which trail only London’s West End, declined 1.1 per cent in the first quarter, property consultancy says.

Donald Trump

Can Japan reduce US reliance amid Trump policies, and embrace Global South?

Japanese business leaders are urging the country to diversify trade beyond the US to mitigate risks associated with over-reliance on one economy.

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Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (left) shakes hands with US President Donald Trump at the White House on February 7. Photo: Kyodo
Donald Trump

77% of Japanese doubt US support amid Trump’s ‘erratic’ first 100 days: poll

Japanese scepticism is growing as more than three-quarters of citizens doubt US military support under Trump, despite security assurances.

The US and Japan flags fly outside the White House. A poll reveals 77 per cent of Japanese citizens doubt US commitment to defending them in a crisis. Photo: Reuters
US-China trade war

Japan lawmakers warn US tariffs threaten security as China looms

Donald Trump’s policy called a national security challenge as trade negotiations continue between Tokyo and Washington.

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Hong Kong stock market

Worst in 50 years: Trump gets ‘F’ in 100-day report card for markets

The Dow and the S&P 500 plunged in first 100 days of Trump’s second term, while US dollar weakened against yen and Swiss franc, data says.

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Crime

Naked man’s deadly rampage in Japan leaves public demanding answers from police

“I shouldn’t talk about it,” he said when arrested, leading people to speculate on the motive behind his bizarre behaviour.

A naked man went on a rampage stealing and crashing cars, and assaulting people in Japan. Photo: Shutterstock
Insurance

Peak Re sells US$50 million of catastrophe bonds in boost for Hong Kong market

The latest sale is the seventh since the market launch in 2021, expanding the pool of catastrophe bonds to US$800 million.

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The Philippines

Video | Japan and the Philippines tighten security ties

Shigeru Ishiba is expected to push for full ratification of a reciprocal access agreement, paving the way for expanded military cooperation  

Mergers & Acquisitions

Japan’s carmakers under pressure to merge as Chinese rivals rise, tariffs bite

The consolidation could be Japan-specific as carmakers elsewhere have already been through that cycle, Man Group’s Stephen Harget says.

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Japan’s car sector is due for consolidation, according to a hedge fund manager. Photo: AP
Pandas

‘Panda politics’: sorrow and suspicion in Japan as China recalls 4 pandas

With the animals’ return in June before the expiry of a loan agreement, Japan will be left with just two pandas at the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo.

Giant panda Fuhin and her mother Rauhin play at the Adventure World park in Shirahama in Japan in 2021. Photo: Kyodo
Earthquakes

As tourist bookings plunge over earthquake prophecies, Japan shuts down rumours

The Chinese embassy in Tokyo inadvertently added to the fears by warning citizens to take precautions against natural disasters.

Artificial intelligence

Pony.ai partners with Tencent to provide robotaxi services on WeChat

With access to more than a billion users on Tencent’s platforms, Pony.ai is set to significantly boost its revenue potential.

History

Did Japan kill 30 million? US historian’s book ignites nationalist fury

Accusing US historian Bryan Rigg of ‘propaganda’, Japanese conservatives are actively working to discredit his account of WWII atrocities.

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Japanese troops are seen in Nanking after the city’s conquest, in a photographic imprint dated 1937. Photo: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group/Getty Images
Electric & new energy vehicles

My Take | China’s ambitions in electric vehicles go beyond making lots of cars

To become a powerful car nation, China must lead in smart automotive technologies, China’s former industry minister argues.

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An actor in a fantasy costume poses in front of a BYD model L car during the Shanghai Auto Show. Photo: EPA-EFE
Donald Trump

Trump’s Quad allies in Asia fret over tariffs as China factor complicates ties

Even as Japan, India, and Australia face US tariffs, they are also being pressured by Washington to rebalance their ties with China.

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Asia travel

Man’s rescue from Mount Fuji twice after bid to retrieve phone sparks anger

Many in Japan are demanding that the 27-year-old Chinese man, who lives in the country, pay for the costs of rescuing him twice.

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