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.

Dozens of companies have pulled their commercials from Fuji Television amid claims that the company's staff had tried to cover up the scandal. Nakai has denied using violence against the woman, and said on 9 January that he had "resolved" the matter with her through a settlement.

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.