Overall Highlights

• Child suicides in Japan have reached the highest level since 1980, raising concerns about mental health and societal pressures.
• Heavy snowfall is impacting northeastern and western Japan, highlighting the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather events.
• Japan’s political landscape is under scrutiny due to scandals involving ruling party candidates, affecting public trust.
• China expresses concerns over Japan’s military policies and regional stability, indicating rising tensions between the two nations.
• China criticizes Japan’s remarks related to Taiwan, emphasizing ongoing disputes over territorial and diplomatic issues.

China Perspective (China Sources)

• Reports highlight the alarming rise in child suicides in Japan, attributing it to societal pressures and inadequate mental health support.
• China’s media emphasizes Japan’s military shift as a threat to regional stability, warning against escalating tensions in East Asia.
• Editorials criticize Japanese officials for comments on Taiwan, asserting that such remarks are illegal and provocative.
• Chinese experts interpret Japan’s request to fishermen to avoid Diaoyu Islands as a sign of Tokyo’s anxiety over deteriorating relations with China.
• China’s media calls for Japan to return historical artifacts, reflecting ongoing disputes over historical grievances.

Japan Perspective (Japan Sources)

• Japanese media reports on the economic impact of Chinese investments in Hong Kong, indicating a complex interdependence between the two economies.
• Analysis of Xi Jinping’s political maneuvers suggests instability within the Chinese Communist Party, which could affect Japan-China relations.
• Japan’s Prime Minister expresses willingness to collaborate with the U.S. on Taiwan rescue operations, signaling a shift towards a more assertive foreign policy.
• Criticism of Japan’s ruling party over backing scandal-tainted candidates reflects public dissatisfaction with political integrity.
• Reports on the Nipah virus highlight Japan’s concerns regarding health security and its implications for regional stability.

Sources

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

1. [en-US] Child suicides in Japan rise to highest level since 1980 - South China Morning Post (1/29/2026)
2. [en-US] Heavy snowfall expected in northeastern, western Japan through Friday - 新华网 (1/29/2026)
3. [en-US] Japan’s dangerous shift threatens regional stability - China Daily (1/28/2026)
4. [en-US] No disguise can change the illegality of Takaichi’s Taiwan-related remarks: Global Times editorial - Global Times (1/28/2026)
5. [en-US] Japan’s ‘secret request’ urging fishermen to avoid Diaoyu Islands shows Tokyo’s concerns about China-Japan relations amid deteriorating ties: Chinese expert - Global Times (1/28/2026)
6. [en-US] Why Greenland’s rare earth riches cannot end US dependence on China’s minerals - South China Morning Post (1/28/2026)
7. [en-US] Would Chinese or US supply lines be more vulnerable in a Pacific conflict? - South China Morning Post (1/28/2026)
8. [en-US] Japan’s ruling LDP faces criticism over backing scandal-tainted candidates - 新华网 (1/28/2026)
9. [en-US] Why US defence strategy may hurt leaders in South Korea, Japan - South China Morning Post (1/28/2026)
10. [en-US] Chinese experts renew calls for Japan to return looted stele - news.cgtn.com (1/28/2026)
11. [en-US] Hong Kong property, stock markets lifted by mainland Chinese money - Nikkei Asia (1/28/2026)
12. [en-US] Analysis: Xi Jinping purges his conduit to party elders - Nikkei Asia (1/28/2026)
13. [en-US] World’s tallest vertical indoor farm takes root in Singapore - Nikkei Asia (1/28/2026)
14. [en-US] Activist fund Elliott considers counteroffer for Toyota Industries - Nikkei Asia (1/28/2026)
15. [en-US] Washington’s Asia experts shift from think tanks to private power firms - Nikkei Asia (1/28/2026)
16. [en-US] ASML sees AI chip and memory growth exceeding 20% in coming years - Nikkei Asia (1/28/2026)
17. [en-US] PM Takaichi says Japan could join U.S. on Taiwan rescue operations - Japan Wire by KYODO NEWS (1/28/2026)
18. [en-US] Taiwan’s KMT, Chinese Communist Party to hold ’think tank exchange’ - Nikkei Asia (1/28/2026)
19. [en-US] What is the deadly Nipah virus, and where is it spreading? - Nikkei Asia (1/28/2026)
20. [en-US] A year into Trump presidency, ‘pivot to China’ gathers pace - The Japan Times (1/28/2026)