Overall Highlights

• Japan’s Nikkei index has surged over 3%, indicating strong economic performance.
• Japan is facing criticism for potentially reviving WWII military titles, raising concerns in the region.
• China is focused on its shipbuilding dominance amidst US threats, reflecting ongoing geopolitical tensions.
• Japan has successfully retrieved rare earth elements from the seabed, enhancing its resource strategy.
• China and Japan are both navigating complex trade dynamics involving critical minerals.

China Perspective (China Sources)

• Japan’s stock market is experiencing significant growth, with the Nikkei index rising over 3%.
• Concerns are raised in China regarding Japan’s revival of WWII military titles, which could provoke historical sensitivities.
• China is dismissing US threats regarding its shipbuilding industry, asserting its dominance in this sector.
• China’s media highlights Japan’s advancements in rare earth retrieval, indicating competition in resource acquisition.

Japan Perspective (Japan Sources)

• Japan has dropped out of the top 10 Lunar New Year destinations for Chinese tourists, reflecting changing travel preferences.
• Japan’s rare-earth project has successfully retrieved samples from the seabed, bolstering its resource capabilities.
• Concerns about China’s security and influence are impacting Japan’s trade and economic strategies.
• Japan is closely monitoring China’s responses to geopolitical developments, particularly regarding military and economic policies.

Sources

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

1. [en-US] Japan’s benchmark Nikkei surges over 3 pct - 新华网 (2/3/2026)
2. [en-US] Japan’s benchmark Nikkei surges over 3 pct-Xinhua - 新华网 (2/3/2026)
3. [en-US] Japan set to revive WWII military titles in controversial shift - South China Morning Post (2/3/2026)
4. [en-US] UK’s Starmer faces backlash over China trip amid claims he was ‘tricked’ - South China Morning Post (2/2/2026)
5. [en-US] Trump unveils US$12 billion push to curb China’s grip on critical minerals - South China Morning Post (2/2/2026)
6. [en-US] Could Greenland and Iran have been factors in latest China-Russia talks? - South China Morning Post (2/2/2026)
7. [en-US] Stern rebuke: China shrugs off 2025 US threats to anchor shipbuilding dominance - South China Morning Post (2/2/2026)
8. [en-US] Rifts over pricing, trade cast doubt on prospects as around 20 economies, including G7 states, push critical minerals alliance - Global Times (2/2/2026)
9. [en-US] Japan says rare earth found in sediment retrieved on deep-sea mission - news.cgtn.com (2/2/2026)
10. [en-US] North America’s top computer vision scientist Liang Jie returns to China - South China Morning Post (2/2/2026)
11. [en-US] Japan drops out of top 10 Lunar New Year destinations among Chinese people - 毎日新聞 (2/2/2026)
12. [en-US] Trump, Modi announce trade deal that cuts tariffs on Indian goods to 18% - Nikkei Asia (2/2/2026)
13. [en-US] Trump, Modi reach trade deal that cuts tariffs on Indian goods to 18% - Nikkei Asia (2/2/2026)
14. [en-US] Hyundai Motor to deploy AI robots at US plants as Trump tariffs hit profit - Nikkei Asia (2/2/2026)
15. [en-US] Japan’s Credit Saison moves to launch online bank in Brazil this year - Nikkei Asia (2/2/2026)
16. [en-US] Dalai Lama receives Grammy with ‘humility’ as China criticizes award - Nikkei Asia (2/2/2026)
17. [en-US] EU companies adopt BYD, Yutong buses despite China security fears - Nikkei Asia (2/2/2026)
18. [en-US] Japan’s rare-earth project succeeds in retrieving sample from seabed - Nikkei Asia (2/2/2026)
19. [en-US] Vingroup’s profit rises 111% in 2025 as property sales offset VinFast loss - Nikkei Asia (2/2/2026)
20. [en-US] High blood sugar raises risk of tooth decay, study says - The Japan Times (2/2/2026)