A sword, a jewel and a mirror: Japan’s Sacred Treasures explained

Together, these three items represent the valour, wisdom and benevolence that the emperor displays towards his people. No one other than the emperor and the most senior priests of the Shinto religion have ever seen them.

1 May 2019 - 2:31PM
Japanese wannabes seek K-pop fame despite scandal, diplomatic rift

The influx of Japanese talent that is reshaping the K-pop industry comes at a time of increasingly bitter political acrimony between the two countries.

The influx of Japanese talent that is reshaping the K-pop industry comes at a time of increasingly bitter political acrimony between the two countries.

1 May 2019 - 12:20PM
Japanese wannabes seek K-pop fame despite scandal, diplomatic rift
US orders Chinese bank records of North Korea payments totalling US$105m

Redacted court documents showed subpoenas were for records of dealings between a now-defunct Hong Kong-based front company and a North Korean state-run entity.

Redacted court documents showed subpoenas were for records of dealings between a now-defunct Hong Kong-based front company and a North Korean state-run entity.

1 May 2019 - 12:16PM
US orders Chinese bank records of North Korea payments totalling US$105m
Japan’s new Emperor Naruhito ascends Chrysanthemum Throne

Former Emperor Akihito, 85, stepped down midnight on Tuesday, bringing an end to the Heisei era spanning his 30-year reign.

Former Emperor Akihito, 85, stepped down midnight on Tuesday, bringing an end to the Heisei era spanning his 30-year reign.

1 May 2019 - 6:33PM
Japan’s new Emperor Naruhito ascends Chrysanthemum Throne
Philippines police to launch probe on Huawei spying claims

The chief of the Philippine National Police says the agency will look into allegations Huawei could be used for spying by Beijing, as concerns grow in the country over the risks of partnering with the Chinese tech giant.

The chief of the Philippine National Police says the agency will look into allegations Huawei could be used for spying by Beijing, as concerns grow in the country over the risks of partnering with the Chinese tech giant.

1 May 2019 - 10:56AM
Philippines police to launch probe on Huawei spying claims
Xiaomi’s growing success in South Korea paves way for Chinese products

Rising demand for Chinese mobile phones by South Koreans may shatter long-standing domestic loyalties for home-grown brands such as Samsung and LG.

30 Apr 2019 - 5:12PM
Japan’s Heisei era was marred by economic downturn, disasters

Heisei era began in early 1989, just before the collapse of Japan’s ‘bubble economy’, when sky-high stock and land prices plunged.

Heisei era began in early 1989, just before the collapse of Japan’s ‘bubble economy’, when sky-high stock and land prices plunged.

30 Apr 2019 - 11:03PM
Japan’s Heisei era was marred by economic downturn, disasters
Who’s who in Japan’s imperial family

As Japan’s 85-year-old emperor ends his three-decade reign on Tuesday, a look at the other members of the imperial family.

As Japan’s 85-year-old emperor ends his three-decade reign on Tuesday, a look at the other members of the imperial family.

30 Apr 2019 - 12:30PM
Who’s who in Japan’s imperial family
Japan’s Emperor Akihito abdicates throne as era ends

Akihito’s reign runs through midnight when his son Crown Prince Naruhito becomes emperor and his era begins.

Akihito’s reign runs through midnight when his son Crown Prince Naruhito becomes emperor and his era begins.

1 May 2019 - 1:02PM
Japan’s Emperor Akihito abdicates throne as era ends
US should pay North Korea, says ex-diplomat who helped free Otto Warmbier

Former special envoy Joseph Yun confirms he signed agreement for payment of money before Warmbier was flown out of Pyongyang in a coma in 2017.

Former special envoy Joseph Yun confirms he signed agreement for payment of money before Warmbier was flown out of Pyongyang in a coma in 2017.

30 Apr 2019 - 9:49PM
US should pay North Korea, says ex-diplomat who helped free Otto Warmbier
Explainer | Japan’s Emperor Akihito abdicates

After more than 30 years on the Chrysanthemum Throne, Japan’s emperor will on April 30 abdicate for his son to take over a hereditary monarchy that has continuously lasted for centuries.

After more than 30 years on the Chrysanthemum Throne, Japan’s emperor will on April 30 abdicate for his son to take over a hereditary monarchy that has continuously lasted for centuries.

30 Apr 2019 - 5:56PM
Japan’s Emperor Akihito abdicates
South Korea to scour globe in hunt for Iran oil replacement

South Korea was one of the countries granted a waiver by the United States when Washington reimposed sanction on Iran, but that waiver will expire next month.

South Korea was one of the countries granted a waiver by the United States when Washington reimposed sanction on Iran, but that waiver will expire next month.

29 Apr 2019 - 7:55PM
South Korea to scour globe in hunt for Iran oil replacement
What to expect from Naruhito in Japan’s new Reiwa era

Japan’s crown prince will draw from his father’s experience and popularity, but the Oxford-educated royal is expected to have his own opinions and style of rule.

Japan’s crown prince will draw from his father’s experience and popularity, but the Oxford-educated royal is expected to have his own opinions and style of rule.

30 Apr 2019 - 12:00PM
What to expect from Naruhito in Japan’s new Reiwa era
Japan nuclear plants face closure over delayed counterterror steps

Possible emergencies listed in new guidelines include an aircraft being deliberately flown into a reactor building.

Possible emergencies listed in new guidelines include an aircraft being deliberately flown into a reactor building.

28 Apr 2019 - 10:49PM
Japan nuclear plants face closure over delayed counterterror steps
Knives found near Japan Prince Hisahito’s desk at Tokyo school

Incident came before imperial succession which will promote the young prince to second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne.

Incident came before imperial succession which will promote the young prince to second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne.

27 Apr 2019 - 9:30PM
Knives found near Japan Prince Hisahito’s desk at Tokyo school
US issues warrant for ‘ringleader’ of North Korean embassy raid

Adrian Hong is wanted by Spain in connection with the February raid, but his lawyer claims extradition is based on ‘unreliable accounts’ of embassy staff.

Adrian Hong is wanted by Spain in connection with the February raid, but his lawyer claims extradition is based on ‘unreliable accounts’ of embassy staff.

27 Apr 2019 - 8:02PM
US issues warrant for ‘ringleader’ of North Korean embassy raid
Trump hosts Japan’s Abe, says trade deal could be reached by May

US president upbeat on negotiations ahead of his Tokyo trip, but tariffs on cars and agricultural goods may prove tricky.

US president upbeat on negotiations ahead of his Tokyo trip, but tariffs on cars and agricultural goods may prove tricky.

27 Apr 2019 - 8:37AM
Trump hosts Japan’s Abe, says trade deal could be reached by May
Kim Jong-un courts others amid rift in ‘great relationship’ with Trump

‘When all the fluff blows away … there was no real meat there to grab on to,’ said Jung Pak, a former senior CIA official.

‘When all the fluff blows away … there was no real meat there to grab on to,’ said Jung Pak, a former senior CIA official.

27 Apr 2019 - 5:02AM
Kim Jong-un courts others amid rift in ‘great relationship’ with Trump
Rain or shine, she followed and photographed Japan’s royals for 26 years

The 78-year-old has spent the last 26 years following and photographing Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.

The 78-year-old has spent the last 26 years following and photographing Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.

27 Apr 2019 - 5:58AM
Rain or shine, she followed and photographed Japan’s royals for 26 years
Is US right to extradite suspects in North Korean embassy raid?

Former US Marine Christopher Ahn, who was arrested in Los Angeles last week, faces charges including breaking and entering, robbery with violence and intimidation.

Former US Marine Christopher Ahn, who was arrested in Los Angeles last week, faces charges including breaking and entering, robbery with violence and intimidation.

26 Apr 2019 - 9:59PM
Is US right to extradite suspects in North Korean embassy raid?