TOKYO, Japan — A record number of tourists flocked to Japan in 2025, officials said Tuesday, despite a steep fall in Chinese visitors in December as a diplomatic row between Beijing and Tokyo rumbled on.

At least one panda has lived in Japan since the Japanese and Chinese normalized their diplomatic ties in 1972.

China’s access to Japan’s coveted industrial-use goods – especially a critical chipmaking ingredient – may face hurdles if Tokyo imposes export restrictions in the event of a prolonged political dispute,

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday underscored the need to strengthen U.S. and Japanese forces through "realistic" training in the Asian nation across the first island chain, a key Pacific line of defense crucial to America's efforts to counter China's growing naval power.

By Satoshi Sugiyama and Anton Bridge TOKYO, Jan 20 (Reuters) - Tourists to Japan hit a record high for the month of December despite the number of visitors from China plunging 45% due to diplomatic tensions between the two Asian neighbours.

To reach net zero, Japan will need to rapidly expand renewables, but its solar manufacturing capacity is virtually non-existent despite it being a pioneer of the technology.

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has dissolved the lower house of Parliament, paving the way for a Feb. 8 snap election