Japan

尖閣周辺に中国船 ６９日連続

Tokyo Shimbun | Local Language | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | Shifting Geopolitical Alliances

On January 22, 2026, a Japan Coast Guard patrol vessel observed a China Coast Guard ship sailing in the contiguous zone outside the territorial sea around the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture. This marks the 69th consecutive day that a Chinese vessel has been present near the Senkaku area. The Chinese ship was reported to be equipped with a machine cannon.

The Japan Coast Guard patrol vessel issued a warning to the Chinese ship, instructing it not to approach the territorial sea around the Senkaku Islands. The continuous presence of Chinese ships in this area indicates ongoing maritime tensions near the disputed islands.

Asahi Shimbun - E | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | Political Scandal or Corruption

A South Korean court sentenced former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to 23 years in prison for his role in the 2024 martial law imposition by then President Yoon Suk Yeol, ruling that the act constituted rebellion. Han, a key ally of Yoon and one of the three caretaker leaders during the martial law crisis, was convicted of attempting to legitimize the martial law decree, falsifying and destroying the proclamation, and lying under oath. The court determined that Han neglected his constitutional duties by supporting Yoon’s rebellion, which threatened South Korea’s democratic order.

The court viewed Yoon’s dispatch of troops and police to government offices as a “self-coup” aimed at undermining the constitutional system, marking it as a serious riot and rebellion. Han maintains his innocence and claims he opposed martial law, but the court said his actions risked returning South Korea to authoritarian rule. Han’s 23-year sentence exceeded the independent counsel’s recommended 15 years and he was immediately imprisoned, having not been detained prior to sentencing.

Yoon, who has already been jailed for months, faces multiple criminal trials including the rebellion charge, with a ruling on the rebellion case expected on February 19. Last week, Yoon received a five-year prison sentence related to the martial law decree, including charges of defying detention attempts, fabricating the decree, and restricting Cabinet deliberations. Yoon denies all rebellion charges, claiming his intent was to rally public support against opposition obstruction and has criticized the investigations as manipulated and distorted.

The Mainichi | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | UndeterminedTaxes

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced on January 19, 2026, that the ruling Liberal Democratic Party will propose eliminating the consumption tax on food and beverages for two years in the upcoming House of Representatives election campaign. This measure aims to ease the financial burden on middle- and low-income earners amid persistently high food inflation.

Takaichi plans to fund the tax cut by reallocating existing subsidies, special tax measures, and non-tax revenue rather than issuing deficit-financing bonds. She emphasized the need to consider impacts on financial markets, including interest rates, exchange rates, and local government finances. The timing of the tax cut was not discussed during the press conference despite prior speculation about a potential reduction around September.

The tax reduction is expected to cause an annual revenue loss of about 5 trillion yen ($31.6 billion), with roughly 2 trillion yen ($12.6 billion) impacting local governments. This has raised concerns about fiscal deterioration, reflected in rising government bond yields and potential yen depreciation, which could further increase inflation through higher import costs.

The opposition Centrist Reform Alliance advocates for a permanent zero consumption tax on food and beverages, making tax reduction a realistic prospect regardless of the election outcome. However, some economic officials warn that continued fiscal loosening by both major parties risks long-term fiscal collapse.