Stories from Tokyo · Japan

The Japanese government is discussing strategies to diversify the nationalities of inbound visitors and businesses. This follows a period where tourism relied heavily on specific markets. Currently, there are no signs of a increase in Chinese visitors despite potential shifts in political tensions between Tokyo and Beijing. The move aims to reduce reliance on specific visitor demographics. The country requires approximately 6.5 million foreign workers by 2040 to address demographic challenges. Humanoid robots are currently being used to perform repetitive tasks to mitigate the labor gap. The discussion noted that the demographic shift is a pressing issue for the nation.

Japan is targeting 60 million inbound tourists by 2030 to boost the economy. Tourism consumption is projected to reach 15 trillion yen, approximately 94 billion US dollars. Inbound tourism numbers reached 36.87 million in 2025, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. The Japanese government introduced a basic plan to promote the country as a tourism-oriented nation. The plan spans from April 2026 to March 2030. It aims for sustainable advancement, expansion of consumption, and economic promotion. Efforts are underway to draw more tourists from North America, Europe, and Australia. The country is also focusing on attracting individual travelers, moving away from a sole focus on tourist groups. This initiative comes amid concerns about over-tourism.

TWICE members Sana and Momo have been invited to serve as ambassadors for the film "The Devil Wears Prada 2" in Japan.

Japan has revised its civil code to allow divorced couples to negotiate or seek joint custody of children. The change is described as a milestone for the country. The move is described as a milestone that has been under discussion in the country for a long time.

A Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson warned that Japan is returning to instability in East Asia. The Japanese administration is reportedly increasing activity in developing its defense industries.

A new diplomatic crisis has emerged between Japan and China following the delivery of a diplomatic note.

Japanese researchers have initiated the first clinical trials on Gülokom patients using a cellular purification method. The research previously demonstrated a 30% increase in lifespan and the restoration of vision in mice within laboratory settings.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has completed her visit to Japan as part of an Asian tour. The visit focused on securing fuel supplies from key trading partners. Australia currently provides gas volumes to Japan in exchange for refined fuels. Wong is scheduled to travel to China and South Korea next.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong held talks with Japanese counterparts in Tokyo as part of a regional tour including China and South Korea. The tour aims to shore up fuel supplies for Australia. Wong stated she will continue to press Asian trading partners to maintain fuel shipments to the country.

Japanese immigration authorities expect daily passenger numbers to reach 2.25 million people. The single-day peak volume is projected to exceed 2.4 million travelers.