12 h. ago Temperatures in Hong Kong’s subpar housing reach as high as 40 degrees: survey

Temperatures in substandard housing in Hong Kong reached as high as 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) over the past week, while about 40 per cent of tenants in such homes reported having poor quality or no windows, a concern group has found. The results came from two studies published by the Society for Community Organisation (SoCO) on Sunday, with the group calling on authorities to offer subsidies so tenants could buy cooling products. SoCO also said that the living conditions of low-income...

Politics

22 h. ago Why Japan just tested a missile on its own turf for the first time

The distant thunder of a missile launch from Hokkaido late last month was less a provocation than a statement of intent: marking a turning point, analysts say, in Japan’s approach to its own defence. On June 24, more than 300 members of the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force’s 1st Artillery Brigade gathered at a remote firing range for the country’s first-ever live missile test from home soil. It saw a Type-88 surface-to-ship missile being launched towards an unmanned vessel parked 40km (25 miles)...

Events

32 h. ago Thailand, Japan, China, Malaysia, and more Ignite Asia’s Explosive Rise as The Ultimate Winter Long

Thailand, Japan, China, Malaysia, and more Ignite Asia’s Explosive Rise as The Ultimate Winter Long-Haul Escape for German Tourists Through TUI’s Bold, Expansive Travel Program  Travel And Tour World

Events

40 h. ago Hongkongers forge ahead with Japan travel amid July 5 ‘megaquake’ fears

Some Hongkongers have pressed ahead with trips to Japan on Saturday morning despite “slight worries” about a widely discussed prediction that a mega-earthquake will hit the country today. While travellers told the Post they would pay more attention to the local news, they acknowledged being unprepared for potential earthquakes. “I felt a little uncomfortable at first, but my son and his wife already got the tickets. It is summer vacation for my grandson, so we seized the chance,” said Ho...

Politics

44 h. ago South Korea, Japan step up as US targets China’s shipbuilding – can they succeed?

As the United States vows to curb China’s dominance in shipbuilding – despite its domestic capacity being nearly nonexistent – South Korea and Japan are looking to benefit from the rivalry and reclaim their competitive edge. South Korea’s president, Lee Jae-myung, who took office a month ago, campaigned on supporting the industry – which he described as being “in major crisis”. “Shipbuilding has been a core industry driving Korea’s exports and creating jobs,” he said in a social media post on...

Events

45 h. ago No 1 typhoon signal to stay in effect on Saturday as hot weather grips Hong Kong

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. Typhoon signal No 1 will remain in force on Saturday, Hong Kong’s weather forecaster said, adding the chance of issuing a higher warning is “rather low”. The Hong Kong Observatory also issued a very hot warning at 6.45am. Temperatures in some districts will reach 35 degrees or above on...

Politics

45 h. ago T1 warning to remain in force on Saturday as hot weather grips Hong Kong

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. A No 1 typhoon warning will remain in force on Saturday, the Hong Kong Observatory has said, adding that the chance of issuing a higher signal is “rather low”. The forecaster also issued a very hot weather warning at 6.45am, with temperatures in some districts expected to reach 35 degrees...

Events

45 h. ago T1 warning to remain in force until Sunday noon as hot weather grips Hong Kong

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. A No 1 typhoon warning will remain in force until noon on Sunday, the Hong Kong Observatory has said, adding that the likelihood of issuing a higher signal is “rather low”. The forecaster also issued a very hot weather warning at 6.45am, with temperatures in some districts expected to reach 35...

Events

55 h. ago Is Japanese manga ‘megaquake’ possible on July 5 or have Hongkongers lost plot?

The plot of a Japanese manga has played a big role in fuelling online rumours about a “megaquake” striking Japan on Saturday, triggering fear among some Hongkongers and a decline in interest in trips to the country, a hugely popular destination for residents. But are the claims made by the comic book artist, based on her dreams, possible? The Post has gathered expert opinions to debunk the speculation. 1. Why have concerns about megaquakes arisen? The Japan Meteorological Agency last August...

Politics

68 h. ago Heading to Japan? How Hongkongers can prepare amid earthquake concerns

Recent rumours about a “megaquake” hitting Japan on July 5, stemming from a manga artist whose earlier prediction in 2011 reportedly came true, have caused some concern among Hong Kong residents planning to travel to the country this month. While Japanese authorities have dismissed the claims, stating that earthquakes cannot be predicted with current scientific knowledge and can occur anywhere at any time, even outside Japan, the Post has gathered expert advice for travellers on how to cope...

Politics

69 h. ago Japan man sneaks into colleague’s home 20 times, takes photos to get her attention

A man in Japan copied the house key of a colleague, sneaked into her home 20 times and took more than 300 photographs in a bizarre attempt to get her attention. Tokyo office worker Yuki Murai, 27, was described as quiet and reserved, with few social connections at work. About six months ago, a new administrative assistant joined the company where he works. She quickly became popular for her sweet looks and gentle personality. After meeting her at a company dinner, Murai began messaging her...

Politics

2 d. ago Is Japan facing higher risk of drone warfare over Diaoyu Islands?

China could test Japan’s resolve by flying drones near disputed islands in the East China Sea after Tokyo clarified that its military is authorised to shoot down such unmanned aircraft intruding into its airspace, according to analysts. In response to a written query from a lawmaker, the Japanese government affirmed at a cabinet meeting on June 27 that the Self-Defence Forces could take such an action even if foreign drones were not an immediate threat to the country’s security. Ryo...

Events

3 d. ago China’s north and west on red alert for heavy rains after deadly floods

China’s north and west on red alert for heavy rains after deadly floods  Al Jazeera

Events

3 d. ago U.S. lifts chip design software curbs on China in trade deal

U.S. lifts chip design software curbs on China in trade deal  The Japan Times

Events

3 d. ago Philippines to view maritime rows with China as ‘one theatre’, partner Japan

The Philippines is adopting a Japan-led strategy to treat the East and South China seas as a unified theatre of operations – a shift analysts say reflects growing alignment among regional allies in the face of China’s expanding maritime footprint. Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said the “one-theatre” concept would promote operational synergy, intelligence-sharing and mutual reinforcement among members of the minilateral “Squad” – comprising the Philippines, Japan, the United States, South...

Politics

3 d. ago Hong Kong tourists undeterred by prediction that quake will hit Japan on July 5

Hong Kong travel agencies have not recorded widespread cancellations of Japan-bound tour groups for the coming weekend, despite a manga artist’s widely discussed prediction that a mega-earthquake will hit the country on Saturday. But some business insiders suggested the number of tours this summer was expected to fall by half compared with last year. The Japan National Tourism Organisation reported that only 193,100 visitors from Hong Kong were recorded coming to the country in May, down by 11.2...

Events

3 d. ago China's North and West on Alert After Sweeping Rains Trigger Deadly Floods

China's North and West on Alert After Sweeping Rains Trigger Deadly Floods  U.S. News & World Report

Events

4 d. ago China’s real consumption ‘far from as low as it seems’, think tank argues

China’s actual consumption power may have already surpassed that of Mexico and reached 40 to 50 per cent of the levels seen in developed nations such as Japan and Germany, a Beijing-based think tank contends. That conclusion, put forth by China Finance 40 Forum, which comprises senior Chinese regulators and financial executives, runs contrary to the market consensus that China’s consumption is underdeveloped, while providing a new perspective from which to assess the consumer potential of the...

Events

4 d. ago Potential cyclone to set temperatures soaring in Hong Kong in coming days

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. Hong Kong is set to be hit by inclement weather this week with the city’s observatory forecasting the potential development of a tropical cyclone near Luzon by Thursday. The forecaster also said on Wednesday that temperatures would soar over the next couple of days to a maximum of 33 degrees...

Sport

4 d. ago Beijing issues flood alert as heavy rainfall batters North China

Beijing issues flood alert as heavy rainfall batters North China  Global Times

Events