Japan

The Japanese government approved its basic tourism promotion plan on March 27, 2026, confirming a target to implement overtourism measures in 100 areas by 2030—building on a January draft. The plan balances resident quality of life with goals of 60 million inbound visitors and 15 trillion yen in spending.

March 27, 2026 Reported by AI

A Japanese destroyer has acquired the ability to launch U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles, the commander of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's fleet escort unit said. The Aegis-equipped Chokai completed refitting at a U.S. naval base in San Diego, California. It marks a milestone in Tokyo's efforts to bolster counterstrike capabilities amid regional threats.

A survey shows the average budget for cherry blossom viewing has fallen 13.8%. About 10% of people plan to view sakura alone. This reflects pressures from inflation and the Japanese economy.

March 22, 2026 Reported by AI

Naomi Osaka suffered a second-round defeat at the Miami Open to qualifier Talia Gibson, 7-5, 6-4, prompting her to question her future on the tour. The 16th seed, who returned in 2024 after a 15-month maternity break following the birth of daughter Shai, prioritized motherhood over competing if results do not improve, while outlining a limited clay-court schedule.

Iran has threatened to target desalination plants in the Middle East, essential to one of the driest regions in the world. The Japan Times highlights this as a dangerous new war target.

March 22, 2026 Reported by AI

Japan's Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear reactor has resumed power generation. It was later found that a part detecting electricity leakage had been damaged by vibrations from the generator.