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Walter Sim

Japan Correspondent

Walter is Japan correspondent at The Straits Times. He joined The Straits Times in 2012, covering crime and politics in Singapore, and relocated to Tokyo as Japan correspondent in June 2016. He now reports on myriad issues from politics and the economy to socio-cultural trends, with datelines spanning the Japanese archipelago from Hokkaido to Okinawa. He has the highest N1 certification in the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, and now chairs the Foreign Press In Japan. 

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Japan PM Takaichi’s debut summits with China, South Korea reflect pragmatic foreign policy

Observers say Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi's foreign policy approach appears rooted in pragmatism and realism, and prioritises continuity over conflict.
Observers say Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi's foreign policy approach appears rooted in pragmatism and realism, and prioritises continuity over conflict.

‘Very close friends’: Japan PM Takaichi and US President Trump bond over Abe legacy

US President Donald Trump (L) and Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (2nd L) walk past rainbow sideboys in salute on board the USS George Washington aircraft carrier at the US naval base in Yokosuka, Japan, on October 28.
US President Donald Trump (L) and Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (2nd L) walk past rainbow sideboys in salute on board the USS George Washington aircraft carrier at the US naval base in Yokosuka, Japan, on October 28.

Exit stage left: Is Japan losing its cultural soul?

A woman walks past the poster of Japanese movie "Kokuho" (R) outside a cinema in Tokyo's Roppongi district.
A woman walks past the poster of Japanese movie "Kokuho" (R) outside a cinema in Tokyo's Roppongi district.

Make Japan Great Again: PM Takaichi lays out national vision to return to ‘top of global stage’

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi delivers a policy speech in the Diet on October 24, 2025.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi delivers a policy speech in the Diet on October 24, 2025.

Sanae Takaichi makes history as Japan’s first woman prime minister

Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi stands up to acknowledge the applause after she was selected as Japan's new prime minister on Oct 21.
Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi stands up to acknowledge the applause after she was selected as Japan's new prime minister on Oct 21.

Japan has boundless supply of rare earths that can blunt China’s dominance but are costly to mine

A mine for heavy rare earth metals outside Longnan in south-central China's Jiangxi province.
A mine for heavy rare earth metals outside Longnan in south-central China's Jiangxi province.

‘Pitiful’ Sanae Takaichi on course to become Japan PM as she woos new coalition partner

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president Sanae Takaichi (R) and co-leader of the opposition Japan Innovation Party Hirofumi Yoshimura meet in Tokyo on Oct 15.
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president Sanae Takaichi (R) and co-leader of the opposition Japan Innovation Party Hirofumi Yoshimura meet in Tokyo on Oct 15.

Amid anti-foreigner talk, a Japan city is home to people from 90 countries – and welcoming more

Hamamatsu city, in Japan's Shizuoka prefecture, held a two-day India Festival in September 2025 as part of efforts to promote assimilation and integration of its burgeoning community of foreign residents.
Hamamatsu city, in Japan's Shizuoka prefecture, held a two-day India Festival in September 2025 as part of efforts to promote assimilation and integration of its burgeoning community of foreign residents.

Beijing watching closely as Japan’s incoming PM Takaichi signals pragmatism in China policy: Experts

Sanae Takaichi, the newly-elected leader of Japan's ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), attends a press conference after the LDP presidential election in Tokyo on October 4, 2025. Conservative Sanae Takaichi hailed a "new era" on October 4 after winning the leadership of Japan's ruling party, putting her on course to become the country's first woman prime minister. (Photo by Yuichi YAMAZAKI / POOL / AFP)
Sanae Takaichi, the newly-elected leader of Japan's ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), attends a press conference after the LDP presidential election in Tokyo on October 4, 2025. Conservative Sanae Takaichi hailed a "new era" on October 4 after winning the leadership of Japan's ruling party, putting her on course to become the country's first woman prime minister. (Photo by Yuichi YAMAZAKI / POOL / AFP)

Meet Sanae Takaichi: Heavy metal fan, former biker chick and Japan’s PM-in-waiting

Ms Sanae Takaichi is set to be named Japan’s PM when the Diet convenes for an extraordinary session, likely on Oct 15.
Ms Sanae Takaichi is set to be named Japan’s PM when the Diet convenes for an extraordinary session, likely on Oct 15.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2025 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.