Overall Highlights

• Japan’s current account surplus increased by 10% in November 2025, indicating economic resilience.
• China asserts its export controls on dual-use items to Japan are lawful, maintaining a firm stance on supply chains.
• Japan is launching a world-first mission to extract rare earth elements from the deep sea, highlighting its technological advancements.
• Tensions between China and Japan are evident, particularly regarding rare earth resources and trade policies.
• Calls for Japan to mend ties with China reflect ongoing diplomatic challenges.

China Perspective (China Sources)

• Japan’s current account surplus growth is acknowledged but seen as a sign of Japan’s economic stability amidst regional tensions.
• China’s export control measures are framed as necessary for national security and lawful under international norms.
• China emphasizes its unchanged stance on supply chains despite Japan’s economic maneuvers and technological advancements.
• The Chinese media highlights Japan’s need to improve bilateral relations, suggesting that cooperation could benefit both nations.

Japan Perspective (Japan Sources)

• Japan’s current account surplus is viewed positively as a sign of economic strength and resilience in a challenging global environment.
• The U.S. is set to host a meeting on rare earths amid rising tensions with China, indicating Japan’s strategic positioning in global supply chains.
• Japan’s deep-sea rare earth extraction project is seen as a significant step towards reducing reliance on Chinese resources.
• There is concern over China’s export controls, which are perceived as a threat to Japan’s technological and economic interests.
• Japan is urged to strengthen ties with Southeast Asian nations and coordinate aid efforts, reflecting a proactive foreign policy approach.

Sources

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

1. [en-US] Japan’s current account surplus grows 10 pct in November 2025-Xinhua - 新华网 (1/13/2026)
2. [en-US] China’s export control on dual-use items to Japan lawful, stance on supply chains unchanged: spokesperson - news.cgtn.com (1/12/2026)
3. [en-US] Chinese FM spokesperson responds to US president’s threat of potential attack on Iran - Global Times (1/12/2026)
4. [en-US] China’s militarism call, Malaysia-Singapore border chaos: 5 weekend reads - South China Morning Post (1/12/2026)
5. [en-US] Trump says Iran “starting to” cross U.S. red lines, citing reports of civilian deaths - news.cgtn.com (1/12/2026)
6. [en-US] Japan launches world’s first mission to lift rare earth from deep sea - South China Morning Post (1/12/2026)
7. [en-US] Former Chinese ambassador to US criticizes NATO for overreaching, saying that NATO has never won a war in Asia since WWII - Global Times (1/12/2026)
8. [en-US] Japan’s Takaichi may call early election - China Daily (1/11/2026)
9. [en-US] Japan urged to mend China ties - China Daily (1/11/2026)
10. [en-US] History unsettled, military burdens: Why Ryukyu people say ‘NO’ to US bases - Global Times (1/11/2026)
11. [en-US] Indonesia and Malaysia block X’s Grok due to sexualized images - Nikkei Asia (1/12/2026)
12. [en-US] India Supreme Court ruling highlights yearslong pretrial detention system - Nikkei Asia (1/12/2026)
13. [en-US] U.S. to host meeting on rare earths as China-Japan tensions simmer - The Japan Times (1/12/2026)
14. [en-US] Japanese and Korean soccer clubs feel salary squeeze as yen, won slide - Nikkei Asia (1/12/2026)
15. [en-US] Chimpanzee Ai, known for high literacy skills, dies in Japan - Japan Wire by KYODO NEWS (1/12/2026)
16. [en-US] Japan to offer aid to Palestinians in coordination with Southeast Asia - Nikkei Asia (1/12/2026)
17. [en-US] Meta removes nearly 550,000 social media accounts under Australian age ban - Nikkei Asia (1/12/2026)
18. [en-US] Jimmy Lai’s mitigation hearing opens in landmark Hong Kong security case - Nikkei Asia (1/12/2026)
19. [en-US] Myanmar ethnic minorities show mixed feelings as election resumes - Nikkei Asia (1/12/2026)
20. [en-US] Japan deep-sea rare-earth project begins off remote southern island - Nikkei Asia (1/12/2026)