Overall Highlights

• China and South Korea are strengthening ties with a summit in Beijing, indicating a shift in regional alliances.
• Chinese citizens in Japan are being warned to stay vigilant due to rising violence, highlighting security concerns.
• Japan is focusing on its domestic issues, including manga piracy and economic growth, while maintaining a cautious stance towards China.
• There are contrasting narratives regarding historical grievances, with China accusing Japan of attempting to rewrite history.

China Perspective (China Sources)

• South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s visit to Beijing with a large delegation signifies deepening Sino-Korean relations.
• The Chinese embassy in Japan has issued warnings to its citizens about increasing violent incidents, reflecting concerns over safety.
• Chinese media emphasizes Japan’s right-wing attempts to rewrite historical narratives, framing it as a threat to regional stability.

Japan Perspective (Japan Sources)

• Japan is preparing for a summit between Chinese and South Korean leaders, indicating a complex diplomatic landscape in East Asia.
• Japanese outlets report on domestic issues, such as efforts to combat manga piracy using AI, showing a focus on cultural preservation.
• There is a cautious approach towards China’s rising influence, with discussions on the implications of US military posture in the region.

Sources

This summary is based on 20 articles from the following sources:

1. [en-US] South Korean President Lee Jae-myung lands in Beijing with 200-strong delegation - South China Morning Post (1/4/2026)
2. [en-US] Chinese embassy warns citizens in Japan to stay vigilant amid surging violent incidents - news.cgtn.com (1/4/2026)
3. [en-US] Maduro capture: is the US trying to grab control of the global oil market? - South China Morning Post (1/4/2026)
4. [en-US] 2026 United Cup tennis tournament Group E round robin match: Japan vs. Britain - 新华网 (1/4/2026)
5. [en-US] Chinese embassy warns citizens in Japan to stay vigilant amid surging violent incidents - 新华网 (1/4/2026)
6. [en-US] Exposing the Japanese right wing’s attempts to rewrite history: Zhong Sheng - Global Times (1/4/2026)
7. [en-US] Venezuela’s top court names VP Delcy Rodríguez acting president - news.cgtn.com (1/4/2026)
8. [en-US] 1 dead, 3 injured in multi-vehicle crash in central Japan - 新华网 (1/4/2026)
9. [en-US] North Korea fires missiles ahead of major party congress - South China Morning Post (1/4/2026)
10. [en-US] Japan’s shoplifters hate a simple ‘hello’ more than cameras - South China Morning Post (1/4/2026)
11. [en-US] Chinese, South Korean leaders to hold summit in Beijing - Nikkei Asia (1/5/2026)
12. [en-US] Trump bets on intimidation to force Venezuelan leaders into line - The Japan Times (1/4/2026)
13. [en-US] Can Hong Kong’s IPO market keep up the momentum in 2026? - Nikkei Asia (1/4/2026)
14. [en-US] Reality bites for hotly anticipated Chinese AI smartphone - Nikkei Asia (1/4/2026)
15. [en-US] Vietnam’s GDP could top Thailand’s this year as growth accelerates - Nikkei Asia (1/4/2026)
16. [en-US] Takaichi avoids criticizing U.S. removal of Venezuela’s Maduro - The Japan Times (1/4/2026)
17. [en-US] US forces in Korea to hold rapid response posture for a Taiwan contingency - Nikkei Asia (1/4/2026)
18. [en-US] How a Chinese mining giant learned to win in Brazil - Nikkei Asia (1/4/2026)
19. [en-US] Australia’s quantum computing startups race toward goals after yearslong effort - Nikkei Asia (1/4/2026)
20. [en-US] Japan aims to stop manga piracy with AI translation training program - Nikkei Asia (1/3/2026)