Overall Highlights

• Japan and South Korea shared doubles titles at the WTT Star Contender Doha, highlighting regional sports collaboration.
• Concerns over historical grievances continue to affect China-Japan relations, with calls for Japan to return cultural artifacts to China.
• Japan is increasingly wary of China’s dominance in various sectors, including pharmaceuticals and EVs, prompting discussions on self-sufficiency.
• Japan criticizes China’s construction activities in the East China Sea, reflecting ongoing territorial tensions.
• Both nations are navigating complex geopolitical landscapes, with Japan strengthening ties with allies like Italy amidst concerns over China’s influence.

China Perspective (China Sources)

• China reports on Japan and South Korea splitting doubles titles at the WTT Star Contender Doha, indicating a competitive sports environment in Asia.
• Chinese sources criticize Japanese PM Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan, suggesting they promote reckless behavior in regional politics.
• Concerns are raised about Japan’s historical errors, with calls for the return of a Tang dynasty stele, reflecting ongoing historical disputes.

Japan Perspective (Japan Sources)

• Japan expresses concern over China’s new structures in the East China Sea, indicating rising tensions over territorial disputes.
• Japanese outlets report on China’s dominance in nuclear power and EV markets, emphasizing the need for Japan to enhance its own technological capabilities.
• Japan’s government is wary of China’s growing influence in pharmaceuticals, leading to calls for greater self-sufficiency in critical industries.

Sources

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

1. [en-US] S. Korea, Japan split doubles titles at WTT Star Contender Doha - 新华网 (1/18/2026)
2. [en-US] Interview: PM Takaichi’s Taiwan remarks amount to encouraging people to “run a red light” together, says Japanese scholar - 新华网 (1/18/2026)
3. [en-US] Fears of growing school violence in Japan as bullying clips go viral - South China Morning Post (1/18/2026)
4. [en-US] Japan urged to ‘correct historical errors’, return Tang dynasty stele to China - South China Morning Post (1/17/2026)
5. [en-US] Japanese tattoo artists still face stigma despite landmark legal victory - South China Morning Post (1/17/2026)
6. [en-US] Iran: Sending text messages via mobile phones, which had been temporarily disabled, has been reactivated - news.cgtn.com (1/17/2026)
7. [en-US] In Japan, fears of China’s antibiotics dominance spur calls for self-sufficiency - South China Morning Post (1/17/2026)
8. [en-US] Unaware of owner’s death, China dog waits daily in corridor for his return, moves many - South China Morning Post (1/17/2026)
9. [en-US] Reflections | What a Chinese hero’s fatal love of raw fish warns us about uncooked food - South China Morning Post (1/17/2026)
10. [en-US] 5.2-magnitude quake hits Hokkaido, Japan – GFZ - 新华网 (1/16/2026)
11. [en-US] Major honey producer Turkey grapples with rise in fake products - Nikkei Asia (1/18/2026)
12. [en-US] China and Russia dominate nuclear power push with 90% of new reactors - Nikkei Asia (1/17/2026)
13. [en-US] Chinese EVs spot on-ramp to US market with affordability - Nikkei Asia (1/17/2026)
14. [en-US] U.S. faces skepticism over deterring China as Trump eyes Greenland - The Japan Times (1/17/2026)
15. [en-US] Trump deals lift US exports to emerging markets 17%, excluding China - Nikkei Asia (1/17/2026)
16. [en-US] Trump threatens tariffs on countries opposed to US controlling Greenland - Nikkei Asia (1/17/2026)
17. [en-US] BTS comeback to fuel a K-pop concert-led boom in 2026 - Nikkei Asia (1/17/2026)
18. [en-US] Japan criticizes China over new structure being built in East China Sea - The Japan Times (1/16/2026)
19. [en-US] US says Canada will regret decision to let Chinese EVs into its market - Nikkei Asia (1/16/2026)
20. [en-US] Takaichi and Italy’s Meloni agree to deepen security and economic ties - The Japan Times (1/16/2026)