Japan

Japan and Philippines harden stance against China amid US-China detente

As Washington softens its tone on Beijing, Japan and the Philippines are tightening defence ties to counter China, forging a potent middle-power coalition in Asian waters. Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong tells us more.

Han Yong Hong

05 Jun 2026

Did Japan just ‘downgrade’ China in its Diplomatic Bluebook?

Japan’s latest Diplomatic Bluebook describes China as “an important neighbouring country”, when it used to be “one of Japan’s most important bilateral relations”, prompting backlash from China. Academic Shin Kawashima says there is no need to read too much into the change in phrasing.

Shin Kawashima

03 Jun 2026

From industrial giant to specialised supplier: The reshaping of Japan

Amid China’s tech rise, a demographic crisis and regional tensions, Japan is being forced to dismantle its post-war economic model and redefine its global role. Academic Tan Kong Yam analyses the challenges and the way forward for Japan.

Tan Kong Yam

03 Jun 2026

Japan, China and the race for Africa’s critical minerals

As Japan expands its Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) vision across Africa, competition with China is increasingly centred on critical minerals, supply chains and strategic infrastructure. Japanese academic Mitsugi Endo analyses the implications.

Mitsugi Endo

25 May 2026

China’s forgotten role in shaping Japan’s pacifist constitution

Japan’s Constitution is set to mark its 80th anniversary in 2027 as debate over revision gains momentum. Yet Article 9 remains sensitive, with war-renunciation and armed forces limits still central to national consensus and contention, says Japanese academic Shin Kawashima.

Shin Kawashima

18 May 2026

Lai Ching-te’s Japan-era tribute clouds Trump-Xi summit

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s visit to honour Japanese-era engineer Yoichi Hatta at Wushantou Reservoir has triggered political backlash at home and criticism from Beijing, coming just days before the Trump-Xi summit in Beijing, where Taiwan tensions loom. Lianhe Zaobao’s China Desk looks into the matter.

China Desk, Lianhe Zaobao

12 May 2026

Grounded: Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has nowhere to fly

With Beijing applying pressure to block overseas trips by Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, it is difficult for him to pursue any diplomacy as he has his hands tied with little to no room to manoeuvre, while Beijing continues with business as usual. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei tells us more.

Sim Tze Wei

23 Apr 2026

ASEAN’s energy crisis — and Japan’s opening in the Middle East oil shock

The Middle East oil shock exposes ASEAN’s fragmented energy security, while creating an opening for Japan to deepen cooperation through stockpiles, swaps and regional resilience mechanisms. Japanese academic Sukegawa Seiya outlines a potential way forward.

Sukegawa Seiya

17 Apr 2026

China leads Northeast Asia’s nuclear buildout

Is Northeast Asia’s nuclear revival a response to the Iran war crisis, or the result of deeper forces already reshaping the region’s energy future? Australian researcher Genevieve Donnellon-May ponders the question.

Genevieve Donnellon-May

16 Apr 2026

With Japan less than welcoming, where do the Chinese ‘run’ to?

Amid “involution” and competition in China, some Chinese are opting to migrate to Japan. However, given the current political tension between China and Japan, things are not as rosy as they had hoped. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Lim Zhan Ting speaks to some Chinese in Japan to get their views.

Lim Zhan Ting

26 Mar 2026

[Big read] US-China push-pull over Taiwan strengthens Beijing’s hand

US-China tensions over Taiwan are deepening, but Washington’s reluctance to make firm commitments may be giving Beijing room to tighten its grip, even as trust in the US declines and regional risks grow. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Miao Zong-Han speaks to experts about the Taiwan Strait issue.

Miao Zong-Han

20 Mar 2026

Buying time: Germany between a changed US and rising China

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visits to China and the US reflected Germany’s considerations of navigating the two superpowers, while maintaining Germany’s own interests in terms of economy and international relations. Japanese academic Yuichi Morii gives his analysis.

Yuichi Morii

17 Mar 2026