The yen has been under sustained pressure over the past year, prompting Japan to enter the foreign exchange market to defend the currency. The benefits of this recent intervention are already waning,

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi have met four times in about six months as the historical Asian rivals face common global challenges.

Four teenage boys were arrested over the killing of a woman at her home. The police say they might have been directed by a new type of transient criminal network known as tokuryu.

Japan has reported its economy expanded at an annualized rate of 2.1% in the January-March quarter. Government data released Tuesday show Japan’s real gross domestic product, or GDP, grew 0.5% from the previous quarter.

Japan’s Trade Minister Ryosei Akazawa will attend a gathering of trade chiefs hosted by China this week as Tokyo seeks to keep dialogue open with Beijing amid tense relations.

By Leika Kihara TOKYO, May 19 (Reuters) - Japan's economy grew at a faster-than-expected pace in the first quarter, though that momentum now faces a severe test as the full force of the energy shock from the Iran war filters through businesses and consumers.

Japan’s economy continued to expand during the first quarter of 2026, backing the case for an imminent rate hike by the Bank of Japan.