Core inflation touched its lowest level since October 2024, and was in line with expectations

Japan has reported it posted a trade deficit for the fifth straight year in 2025 as exports were hit by President Donald Trump’s tariffs and a diplomatic rift with neighboring China

European shares are mixed after markets advanced in Asia. U.S. futures turned lower early Friday. The Bank of Japan kept its key interest rate unchanged, as expected.

TOKYO, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said on Friday she was watching currency markets closely, but declined to comment on speculation among traders that authorities had checked currency rates with banks - a prelude to potential intervention.

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