TikTok Shop opens for business in Japan as US fate hangs in balance
TikTok Shop's launch in Japan on Monday confirms the Post's earlier report that the popular short-video app is seeking to
diversify its global footprint while reducing its reliance on the US market, as President Donald Trump has demanded the app's US operations be sold to American investors.
Trump said in an interview with Fox News on Monday that he had
found a buyer for TikTok, but the completion of the deal required Beijing's approval.
TikTok's future in the US remains in limbo, with the deadline for ByteDance to secure a local buyer having been postponed twice by Trump, with the latest extension ending in October.
Japan is TikTok Shop's 17th market, following launches in the US, the UK, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines and Vietnam, among others.
The launch of TikTok Shop in Japan introduces another Chinese player to the country's e-commerce market, which already includes platforms like Temu and Shein. Last year, Alibaba Group Holding, owner of the Post, also launched a special cross-border e-commerce service, Tao, for Japanese consumers.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
3 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
China edges closer to Airbus mega-deal, leaving Boeing out in the cold: analysts
China may be on the verge of placing another lucrative order with European aerospace giant Airbus, potentially for at least 100 to 200 new aircraft – even as some Chinese airlines remain heavily reliant on US rival Boeing's jets. Europe has emerged as China's go-to source for overseas commercial aircraft in recent years. Boeing, once a major supplier, has not secured a major order from China since 2017 – casting a shadow over its future in the world's second-largest economy amid turbulent trade ties between Beijing and Washington. In that time, the company has also suffered reputational setbacks marked by worker strikes, financial losses and crashes – including the recent Air India disaster that killed at least 270 people aboard a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Now, as Beijing's geopolitical and aviation safety concerns push Chinese buyers towards Airbus and even the home-grown Comac C919 passenger plane, analysts warn Boeing's absence from China's recent plane-buying spree could leave some airlines in the lurch. 'Buying from Airbus makes a lot of sense now, both commercially and diplomatically … But carriers with Boeing-only fleets are caught on the back foot,' said Brian Yang Bo, an aviation industry veteran and independent consultant.
South China Morning Post
4 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Philippines eyes multirole fighter jets for ‘credible deterrence' against China
The Philippines must acquire more advanced fighter jets – and soon – to build a 'niche air force' capable of credible deterrence against Chinese intrusions, its air force chief has said, as Manila weighs whether to pursue US-made F-16s or Sweden's Gripen. Manila last month signed a US$700 million deal to acquire 12 additional FA-50 light combat aircraft from South Korea , expanding the Philippine Air Force (PAF)'s fleet to 24 by the end of the decade. These upgraded models will come with enhanced range and weapons capacity, but remain limited compared with full-fledged multirole fighters (MRF). Lieutenant General Arthur Cordura said he welcomed the additional FA-50s but stressed that more advanced platforms were needed to meet the country's defence goals. He said acquiring true MRFs would allow the PAF to project credible strength across the Philippine archipelago and its maritime zones. 'We cannot be at par with China even 10 to 20 years from now. That's the reality here,' Cordura said during a media briefing on June 24, ahead of the PAF's 78th founding anniversary. 'But we can project what we call credible deterrence. They will think twice if they will intrude into the country.' A Philippine Air Force helicopter passes above Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Cabra during a joint maritime activity with the US in disputed waters of the South China Sea in June. Photo: EPA-EFE Cordura confirmed that the air force had submitted its preferred choice of MRF to the Department of National Defence (DND), although he declined to name the specific model.
South China Morning Post
4 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
China's Xi Jinping puts domestic market at forefront in high-profile meeting
President Xi Jinping reiterated the need for China to develop a 'unified national market' at a high-profile economic meeting on Tuesday, a task which has taken on greater urgency as the country prioritises domestic demand amid a more uncertain external landscape. Advertisement Greater efforts are needed to address a variety of issues facing the world's second-largest economy, the Central Financial and Economic Affairs Commission said in a readout from their sixth meeting, explicitly calling for a crackdown on the cutthroat competition between firms that has lowered prices, a phasing out of obsolete industrial capacity and an improvement to the business environment. The commission – a body of the ruling Communist Party which supervises economic matters – also stressed the need to 'better integrate domestic and foreign trade, facilitate the transition of export-oriented goods to the domestic market, and foster a group of high-performing firms engaged in both,' according to the readout, cited by state news agency Xinhua. Authorities will also continue targeted enforcement campaigns to standardise how regulations are implemented for businesses. 'Building a unified national market is a requirement for high-quality development, and the country should strengthen coordination and cooperation to form a concerted effort,' Xi was quoted as saying. Advertisement Four of the seven members of the party's powerful Politburo Standing Committee – Xi, Premier Li Qiang, head of the party's general office Cai Qi and Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang – attended the meeting. The commission is continuing to emphasise the importance of keeping the economy open, said Zhang Zhiwei, president and chief economist at Pinpoint Asset Management.
