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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
The Chinatown area of Melbourne, Australia. Photo: Shutterstock
SCMP Highlights

Star Cruises apologises, China goes visa-free for UK, Canada: 5 weekend reads

From the Munich Security Conference to Star Cruises’ fiasco, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

Banking & finance

Can Hong Kong’s MPF members repeat record gains in Year of the Horse?

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks rise to wrap up best lunar-year performance in eight years

Munich Security Conference

In Munich, US urges ‘collective strength’ among allies to deter China

Washington and its Indo-Pacific and European allies emphasise need for cooperation to counter Beijing’s military build-up.

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Chinese military activities – and the need to respond to them – have been framed as a major driver of cooperation between US allies during this year’s Munich Security Conference. Photo: Xinhua
South China Sea

Opinion | Can Manila’s South China Sea strategy of defiance and diplomacy hold?

China and the Philippines are both signalling openness to diplomacy alongside continued military flexing, but this may not be sustainable.

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Munich Security Conference

As transatlantic divorce plays out in Munich, China enjoys the silence

For long, China was a magnet for America’s rhetorical aggression. Now, it is the Europeans who are under fire.

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Artificial intelligence

ByteDance ‘strengthening safeguards’ after Seedance AI video controversy

Pledge comes after Hollywood, governments speak out against tool amid deluge of video clips featuring celebrities, copyrighted characters.

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Characters from Star Wars, a Disney property, are among the copyrighted material the Seedance tool can purportedly produce. Photo: Reuters
Banking & finance

Opinion | Why Asia’s sovereign wealth funds are rethinking US Treasuries

Asian funds are no longer treating US Treasuries as the default destination for their surplus capital, but as one option among many.

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Hong Kong police

Hong Kong aims to add facial recognition to public CCTVs this year: police chief

Commissioner of Police Joe Chow says high-traffic and strategically located shopping centres will be prioritised.

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International Property

Year of the Horse kicks off with property mega-deals returning to Asia-Pacific

Large institutional capital is flowing back into Asia-Pacific property, with offices, retail and hotels leading early recovery signs.

Shanghai surprise: the Asia-Pacific region’s property markets have surged 130 per cent since 2024. Photo: Shutterstock
Indonesia

Indonesians weigh peril and promise of Jakarta – the world’s most populous city

Extreme heat, floods, pollution, congested traffic and a tough job market are some of the major challenges faced by the city’s residents.

A view of traffic during evening rush hours in the business district in Jakarta, Indonesia, on February 3. Photo: Reuters
Lunar New Year

Video | Chinese tourists have a new favourite country this Lunar New Year

Arrivals by Chinese tourists to South Korea are expected to rise by 52% in February 2026.

US-China relations

Rubio, Wang Yi manage US-China rivalry in Munich as underlying tensions linger

Back-to-back speeches appear to continue relative thaw in run-up to Trump’s expected China trip but sharp swipes are also traded.

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China-Japan relations

Tokyo releases captain of Chinese fishing boat found in Japanese EEZ

Zheng Nianli freed after China files bail payment guarantees, broadcaster NHK reports.

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A Japanese fisheries agency patrol vessel follows the Chinese fishing vessel Qiong Dong Yu in waters off Japan’s southwest Nagasaki prefecture on Thursday. Photo: Handout
US-China relations

Future of China-US ties rests on Washington’s will, Wang Yi says in Munich

At Munich Security Conference, Chinese foreign minister also accuses Japan of ‘angry ambitions for the invasion and colonisation of Taiwan’.

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday. His address covered China-EU relations, the US, Japan and the value Beijing places on the UN. Photo: Reuters
Banking & finance

Macroscope | How robust domestic financial markets could ease era of AI uncertainty

Attempts to develop financial centres must go beyond luring global capital and talent.

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China travel

Japan out, Australia in? China’s tourists heading down under for Lunar New Year

Bookings projected to surge on new flights, flexible itineraries and ease of payment.

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Israel

Why elite Japanese school asked 12-year-olds to read Palestinian poems for exam

Poets Mosab Abu Toha and Zeina Azzam welcomed the inclusion of their works in the exam, but were concerned about the ensuing controversy.

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Nada Junior High School is a private all-boys school in Kobe whose graduates often go on to top universities in Japan. Photo: Wikipedia/Saoyagi2
Malaysia

Malaysia smashes high-end sex syndicate charging US$900 a session

The suspected ringleader and salesmen are Chinese nationals while a Singaporean and Malaysian have been asked to assist in investigations.

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Transport and logistics

Japan explores German silent cargo gliders to resupply remote islands

The HADIS system can deliver cargo of up to 500kg over a range of 120km and safeguard transport aircraft during resupply operations.

Science

Japanese paper-cutting art inspires China science team’s flexible brain implants

Stretchable microelectrode arrays aim to overcome limitations of electrode technology, such as Neuralink.

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Chinese scientists said the design of their stretchable microelectrodes was inspired by the Japanese art of paper cutting. Photo: ScienceNet
Sanae Takaichi

Opinion | Takaichi’s anti-China stance won’t bolster Japan’s security

As the US-led order unravels, the Japanese prime minister’s militaristic approach goes against the global shift towards cooperation with China.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
US-China relations

China mulls US manufacturing fund ahead of Xi-Trump summit, business leader says

Leaders to secure ‘very positive’ outcomes but no ‘grand bargain’ during talks in Beijing, AmCham China chair predicts.

China-Japan relations

Beijing and Tokyo in maritime stand-off after Japan seizes Chinese boat, captain

Beijing urges Tokyo to protect Chinese crew members’ rights after incident off southwestern Nagasaki prefecture.

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Trip Inspiration

Why the Year of the Fire Horse calls for travel on horseback

Saddle up for some thrilling horse-related spectacles and experiences with our top picks from around the world.

Torres del Paine, in Chile, is known for its granite peaks and turquoise lakes. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks decline after US rout on AI disruption jitters

Sell-offs also whiplash commodity markets, with both gold and silver slumping as traders unwind positions to cover soured bets on equities.

An American flag is displayed over an entrance to the New York Stock Exchange in New York on February 12, 2026. Photo: AP Photo
Hong Kong tourism

How Hongkongers are using a longer Lunar New Year break for travel

South Korea and Japan also popular as some residents make the most of break by taking two days of leave to enjoy nine consecutive days off.

North Korea

Why Takaichi’s landslide victory in Japan has North Korea on edge

North Korea has accused Japan of resurrecting its wartime ambitions by expanding its defence and pursuing security alliances.

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