Asia Japan The city of Fujikawaguchiko has started building a large black screen on a stretch of pavement to block the spectacular view of Mount Fuji; the measure intends to repel flocking tourists, as they often behave inappropriately
Asia Japan The US and Japan made a coordinated intervention in the currency markets to stabilize the weakening yen, a rare move that last occurred more than ten years ago
Asia Japan Overnight visitors in Kyoto reached a record 16,59 million, with overseas travelers increasing by 14% and making up almost half of all stays; domestic overnight guests (-8%) may be choosing to stay outside the city due to rising prices
Asia Japan Tokyo’s life-size Unicorn Gundam statue in Odaiba will be removed at the end of this August; The iconic 19,7 meter mecha outside DiverCity Tokyo Plaza was installed in 2017 and features transformations from "Unicorn" to "Destroy" mode at set times
Asia Japan Rruling Liberal Democratic Party proposed reducing the consumption tax rate on food and beverages from the current 8% to 1% for two years starting April 2027; in the last general election campaign it pledged cutting it to zero