Thailand's BEV sales turned negative in 2024 while hybrid sales surged nearly 50%. Falling resale values, thin charging infrastructure and retreating Chinese brands exposed the limits of the EV boom. As markets from Bangkok to Berlin recalibrate, Toyota and Honda's multi-pathway strategy looks better than it did. A data-led look at the EV slowdown across Thailand, China and Europe.
AGIBOT, the world's top humanoid robot shipper from China, has established a Japanese subsidiary for full-scale market entry. Having shipped over 5,100 units globally in 2025 with 39% market share, the company claims the humanoid market will surpass the auto industry. We examine how Japan — an industrial robotics powerhouse — now trails China and the US in humanoid development, and explore adoption potential in Japan's labor-starved manufacturing and elderly care sectors.
China's Commerce Ministry banned dual-use exports to 20 Japanese defense entities including Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, Kawasaki Heavy's aerospace arm, IHI Aerospace and JAXA, while adding 20 more firms such as Subaru and TDK to a watch list. Seen as a response to PM Takaichi's Taiwan remarks, the move puts rare earth and semiconductor material supply chains at risk. The list was expanded again in June 2026.
Japan Coast Guard's new 3,500-ton patrol ship "Suruga" launched on Feb 18, 2026. Built at $108M with twin 40mm guns and 25+ knot speed, this 8th Miyako-class vessel strengthens Japan's response to China's growing maritime assertiveness around the Senkaku Islands.
The Chinese vessel seized in Japan's EEZ used a "tiger net", a devastating method with 1cm mesh that strips the ocean bare, including juvenile fish. Explore how this "sea vacuum cleaner" works and why IUU fishing by Chinese fleets threatens oceans from South America to Africa.
On February 12, 2026, a Chinese tiger-net fishing boat was seized in Japan's EEZ off the Goto Islands and its captain arrested after ignoring an order to stop. It is the first Chinese vessel seized since 2022, and the captain was released the same day.
The 13th Gunpla Builders World Cup Finals, held at Gundam Base Tokyo on February 7, 2026, saw builders from China and Taiwan claim all three championship titles. Asian builders took 7 of 9 podium spots across U-14, U-20, and OVER-21 categories. Multiple entries featured themes from the latest anime "Gundam GQuuuuuuX," and the next tournament was announced for 2027.
Detective Conan cosplay and merchandise have been banned at anime events across China. The trigger: a collaboration with My Hero Academia, a manga boycotted in China over a character name linked to Japan's wartime Unit 731. With state media joining the backlash and even traditional Japanese clothing banned at events, we explore how anime culture collides with historical tensions between China and Japan.
Major Chinese restaurant chains are rapidly expanding into Japan. From Haidilao hot pot to Yang Guo Fu malatang to MIXUE's budget drinks, we explore the brands entering Japan, the factors driving expansion including domestic competition and the Japanese Chinese population, and the impact on Japan's food service industry.
Prime Minister Takaichi asked Keidanren to diversify supply sources for critical materials. With China tightening export controls on Japan, Tokyo is pushing seabed rare earth mining trials at Minamitorishima alongside international partnerships. In July 2026 the recovered mud was reported to be about 54% medium and heavy rare earths.
China threatens rare earth export bans following PM Takaichi's Taiwan comments. After 15 years since the 2010 Senkaku crisis, Japan's preparedness through supply chain diversification is now the model for the US, Europe, and Australia accelerating their "de-risking" from China.