Japan has reported its exports to key destinations like China fell in September, leading it to rack up a trade deficit of about $2 billion for the month.

Japan's exports fell for the first time in 10 months in September, data showed on Thursday, a worry for policymakers as any prolonged weakness in global demand may complicate the central bank's path to exit years of ultra-easy monetary policy.

Japan’s trade balance shifted to a deficit of ¥294.24 billion in September, from a surplus of JPY 60.56 billion in the same month a year earlier. It was the third straight month of a trade gap, coming in worse than the market forecast of a shortfall of ¥237.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba sent an offering to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine, his office said on Thursday, a move that has previously been criticised by South Korea and China, which view the shrine as a symbol of Japan's militaristic past.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba sent an offering to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine, his office said on Thursday, drawing criticism from South Korea and China which view the shrine as a symbol of Japan's militaristic past.

Japan's new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Thursday sent a ritual offering to a shrine honouring the country's war dead that has long angered neighbouring countries, a spokesman for the site said.The minister of health,