Japan's trade deficit in 2024 shrank 44 percent from a year earlier to 5.33 trillion yen ($34 billion), as exports hit a record high due to robust vehicle and semiconductor-related demand, government data showed Thursday.

Japan’s consumer price growth picked up in December, adding to evidence of steady inflation just hours before the central bank announces its rate decision.

Japan's core consumer prices rose 3.0% in December from a year earlier to mark the fastest annual pace in 16 months, data showed on Friday, keeping alive market expectations that the central bank will keep raising ultra-low interest rates.

One person was killed and two hurt in a stabbing attack Wednesday at Japan's JR Nagano train station. One woman and two men were waiting for a bus on the station's north side when they were attacked.

A man stabbed three people at a train station in central Japan on Wednesday before fleeing the scene, leaving one person dead, local media reported.