Japan
TOPIC
 / location

Japan

Related Topics:
The departure hall at Kansai International Airport in Osaka prefecture. Kyodo News cited sources on Wednesday as saying the country planned to revise its duty-free rules for foreign visitors from the “latter half of the fiscal 2026”. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong economy

Hongkongers visiting Japan to face new rules for claiming back consumption tax

Change applying to all foreign visitors seen as response to series of abuses involving tourists suspected of illegally trading duty-free goods before departure.

South China Sea

South China Sea: US alliances mar peace and stability, China envoy tells Asean

videocam
Social media

China’s ‘wolf warrior’ envoy sparks row by backing Japanese leftist party

videocam
Food and Drinks

TikTok’s matcha mania leaves Japan facing tea shortage, price hikes

Many suppliers have declined to accept new orders and set limits on online matcha purchases because of the shortage.

videocam
Some of the popular matcha brands are facing a shortage in Japan as the tea surges in popularity on TikTok.
Viral stories

KOL strolls shoeless to rate Japan’s hygiene, finds white socks remain spotless

Cleanliness is central to Japanese culture, reflecting order and discipline, while littering is seen as disrespectful.

Crime

Japan’s prosecution of dead teen girl sparks debate on justice, ‘common sense’

The 17-year-old girl had fallen from a height at a mall in Yokohama and landed on a 32-year-old woman.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Crime

Hair-sniffing case in Japan sets off debate over ‘touchless harassment’

The issue gained national attention after a man was detained by police for standing close to a girl and sniffing her hair on a train.

videocam
Pedestrians walking down a Shinjuku street in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: EPA-EFE
Fashion

Annie Hall to Hokusai – 4 fashion and art books to grace your coffee table

Whether they’re fashionistas or art enthusiasts, your friends will love these beautiful books this Christmas.

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks stage largest rally in 5 weeks; hopes rise for new stimulus

Industrial profits at large Chinese companies dropped 10 per cent from a year earlier in October.

China-Japan relations

Can China stop Japan from ‘unilaterally siding’ with US through close ties?

China’s overtures aim to mitigate possible pressure under Trump 2.0, but could return to being confrontational in the future, analysts say.

videocam
9
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands ahead of their talks in Lima on November 15. Photo: Kyodo
G7

Blinken urges G7 countries to maintain unity in face of China risks

US secretary of state cites Beijing’s economic policies, human rights record and support for Russia in the war against Ukraine.

videocam
41
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks on Tuesday at the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in Fiuggi, Italy. Photo: Reuters
Asian cinema: Japanese films

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.

videocam
India

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

A proposed reciprocal supply and services pact is the next logical step to growing bilateral ties amid the Indo-Pacific framework, analysts say.

videocam
8
The Philippines

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

The Philippine Army has confirmed the deployment, saying the plan is at its early planning stage.

videocam
9
A US M142 HIMARS fires a missile during drills between the Philippine and US marines in Capas, Tarlac, in 2022. Photo: AP
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.

A worker in Hong Kong. Photo: EPA-EFE
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.

5
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.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
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.

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.

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.

videocam
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.

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.

videocam
5
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.

videocam
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.

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.

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.

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.

videocam
5
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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Japan
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
Fumio Kishida
last updated:
2 October, 2024
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement