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A customer soaks himself in a bath at a public bathhouse in Tokyo. Photo: Reuters
Japan

As oil costs soar, Japan’s bathhouses struggle to keep heads above water

A shrinking customer base and ageing owners also threaten the survival of these neighbourhood social hubs.

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Japan

3 killed in Japanese Type 10 tank blast that has military baffled

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Japan

Japanese protest ‘frightening’ easing of decades-old arms export curbs

Japan

Burger King in Japan dangles US$250,000 to lure rival franchisees

Meanwhile, Philippine fried chicken chain Jollibee has announced a record operating income and is accelerating its global expansion.

Two customers bite Burger King’s Whopper hamburgers after the chain’s first Tokyo store officially opened in Shinjuku, Tokyo, in 2007. Photo: AP
Two customers bite Burger King’s Whopper hamburgers after the chain’s first Tokyo store officially opened in Shinjuku, Tokyo, in 2007. Photo: AP
South Korea

‘Make money in Korea, ignore Korean sentiment’: Seoul, US spar over meddling

National Assembly Speaker Woo slams US Republicans’ ‘interference in domestic affairs’ amid data leak probe into the e-commerce firm.

Japan

Japan injects new life into Fukushima with nuclear plant ‘hope tourism’

Visitors flock to barely inhabited towns, attracted for the most part by the very catastrophe that drove their residents away.

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South Korea

South Korean air force apologises for mid-air selfies that caused jet collision

No one was injured. One of the pilots involved had been suspended from flying, received severe disciplinary action and has since left the military.

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A Republic of Korea Air Force F-15K fighter plane takes off at Gunsan Air Base, South Korea. Two F-15K ‌jets collided during a formation flight near the city of ⁠Daegu in December ⁠2021. Photo: Reuters
A Republic of Korea Air Force F-15K fighter plane takes off at Gunsan Air Base, South Korea. Two F-15K ‌jets collided during a formation flight near the city of ⁠Daegu in December ⁠2021. Photo: Reuters
South Korea

South Korean army removes poster depicting controversial hand gesture

The finger pinching gesture, known as the ‘Megalian hand’, is seen as a mockery of male genitalia.

Japan

Japan’s PM Takaichi tells fellow politician she needs ‘more sleep’

The remark came as Takaichi’s leadership recently hit the six-month mark.

South Korea

How a dropped sex assault case cost an aspiring South Korean officer her life

Thousands sign petition demanding a new probe into the woman’s death after police dismissed her case, igniting public fury.

A petition urges a new investigation into a South Korean woman’s suicide after police dismissed her sexual assault case. Photo: Shutterstock
China travel

2,700 China-Japan flights axed in March as rift between Asian powers deepens

Nearly half of the planned flights between China and Japan were cancelled last month, as Beijing and Tokyo remain locked in a diplomatic feud.

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Air China planes are seen parked on the tarmac at an airport in Beijing in 2020. Photo: AFP
Air China planes are seen parked on the tarmac at an airport in Beijing in 2020. Photo: AFP
North Korea

North Korea’s Lazarus suspected of stealing US$290 million from KelpDAO

Ethereum was ‘drained’ from KelpDAO in the biggest known cryptocurrency heist so far this year.

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Japan

Subsidies for dating apps latest tactic to battle low birth rates in rural Japan

Kochi prefecture says residents aged between 20 and 39 can receive a US$125 subsidy to use certified matchmaking apps.

South Korea

South Korean police seek arrest warrant for Hybe’s Bang after travel request

The US embassy in Seoul reportedly asked authorities to allow Bang to travel while under investigation for fraudulent stock trading.

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Hybe chairman Bang Si-hyuk answers reporters’ question upon his arrival at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on September 15, 2025. Photo: Newsis/AP
Japan

Big one coming? Japan issues megaquake advisory after magnitude 7.7 shock

The Japan Meteorological Agency has upped the risk of a megaquake to 1 per cent, compared to 0.1 per cent at other times.

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An electronic signboard in Ofunato city, Iwate prefecture, displays a sign saying “Hokkaido and Off the Sanriku Coast Aftershock Advisory” early on Tuesday. Photo: Jiji Press/AFP
An electronic signboard in Ofunato city, Iwate prefecture, displays a sign saying “Hokkaido and Off the Sanriku Coast Aftershock Advisory” early on Tuesday. Photo: Jiji Press/AFP
Japan

Japan’s Takaichi sends Yasukuni shrine offering, South Korea expresses ‘regret’

Seoul urges Japan’s leaders to ‘face history squarely’ and show through action ‘a sincere remorse for its past’.

South Korea

After Xi, South Korea’s Lee brings Modi into ‘selfie diplomacy’ frame

Lee’s Samsung selfie with the Indian leader also highlights tech pride, contrasting with his earlier Xiaomi photo taken with the Chinese president.

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Japan

Why Japan’s Takaichi is already facing resistance inside her own party

Observers say the prime minister’s assertive style and policy agenda have caused unease among the Liberal Democratic Party’s old guard.

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Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who is also the ruling Liberal Democratic Party leader, sings the party anthem with the party’s deputy president and former prime minister Taro Aso (right) and the party secretary general Shunichi Suzuki (left) on April 12. Photo: Reuters
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who is also the ruling Liberal Democratic Party leader, sings the party anthem with the party’s deputy president and former prime minister Taro Aso (right) and the party secretary general Shunichi Suzuki (left) on April 12. Photo: Reuters
South Korea

‘Intelligence leak’ claims expose trust gap in US-South Korea ties

Unification Minister Chung Dong-young rejects accusations he leaked sensitive information about North Korea’s Kusong nuclear facility.

Japan

Tsunami warning issued in Japan after magnitude-7.5 quake hits northeast

Waves of up to three metres are expected after the quake struck off the Sanriku Coast.

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Singapore

Man vs Mythos: Asian financial bodies sound alert on AI hacking model

Anthropic held back a wider release after finding Mythos was capable of discovering security holes that had gone undetected for years.

Mythos is highly skilled at cyber-security and hacking tasks, according to Anthropic. Photo: TNS
Japan

Vietnam, Philippines trust Japan. But Indonesia’s more cautious

Analysts say Indonesia worries about its neutrality as Tokyo ramps up ties with the US and lags behind China on green investment.

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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and US President Donald Trump share a glance during remarks at White House dinner on March 19. Photo: Kyodo
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and US President Donald Trump share a glance during remarks at White House dinner on March 19. Photo: Kyodo
China GDP

First tariffs, now war: how Asia is facing a second year of economic shocks

Global institutions forecast slower growth in Asia-Pacific this year, as the Iran war and tariff risks combine to disrupt global trade.

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Japan

Rover and out? Japan pivots after US puts Lunar Gateway on ice

Japan’s space agency has invested at least US$78.5 million to build components for Nasa’s now-halted project.

Japan

‘Dragon Ball’ diplomacy: Japan’s Takaichi builds rapport with personal touches

Japan’s first female prime minister uses expressive gestures, thoughtful gifts and music to connect with foreign leaders.

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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (right) and French President Emmanuel Macron strike the “Kamehameha” pose from the “Dragon Ball” manga after a joint press conference at the State Guest House in Tokyo on April 1. Photo: Kyodo
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