To combat overtourism, the Japanese government will increase the tax paid by foreign tourists when they leave the country: from 1,000 to 3,000 yen. Mass tourism affects mostly Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Hokkaido, and Fukuoka. This is yet another step to limit overcrowding, help regional economies, and promote more sustainable tourism. Overall, tourism revenue remains a pillar of the Japanese economy.

Only 17.5% of Japanese citizens currently hold a valid passport. This reflects not only the weakness of the yen but also the forced withdrawal of the younger generations. To combat this growing isolation, new solidarity initiatives are emerging, as well as corporate and technological responses. But the social framework remains stuck.

The Japanese prime minister is open to a summit regarding the case of 17 Japanese nationals, a matter that has dragged on since the 1970s. The last meeting between North Korean and Japanese leaders was in 2004 when Junichiro Koizumi was Japan’s prime minister. For its part, Pyongyang considers the matter closed. Meanwhile, the defence ministers of South Korea and the United States made their first joint visit to the Demilitarised Zone since 2017.

The government has introduced this option, as provided in the new Civil Code, in the case of divorce starting 1 April 2026. Parents can request it at the time of their separation, which includes joint parental consent for major decisions regarding their children, even after divorce.

The US leader met with the South Korean president today on the eve of the APEC summit, signing an agreement on autos, steel, and investments. Yesterday, an agreement was reached with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, criticised by the Asahi Shimbun for being too soft. Tomorrow, the long-awaited meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping takes place in Busan. The Chinese leader will also have a bilateral meeting with the Japanese prime minister.

One of the survivors of 6 August 1945 spoke at the Community of Sant'Egidio peace summit in Rome, saying that she continues “to believe in human wisdom”. She was joined by the bishop of the Japanese martyr city, Alexis Mitsuru Shirahama, who said: "We have little time left.” For Susi Snyder, “Deterrence is not demonstrable.”