While the global order was shaken in 2025, Japan still found reasons for optimism: It swore in its first female prime minister, the stock market hit record highs and the Osaka Expo is projected to have generated a nearly 楼37 billion surplus. Inflation, climate change and geopolitics remain challenges 鈥� along with what to do about the bears.

Sanae Takaichi receives a round of applause in the Japanese parliament after being voted the country's first female prime minister on Oct. 21.
Sanae Takaichi receives a round of applause in the Japanese parliament after being voted the country鈥檚 first female prime minister on Oct. 21. | JOHAN BROOKS

In addition to becoming the first female prime minister of Japan, Takaichi also made history when she was chosen as the first woman to lead the governing Liberal Democratic Party.
In addition to becoming the first female prime minister of Japan, Takaichi also made history when she was chosen as the first woman to lead the governing Liberal Democratic Party. | JOHAN BROOKS

Prime Minister Takaichi concentrates on her work as staff mills around outside.
Prime Minister Takaichi concentrates on her work as staff mills around outside. | JOHAN BROOKS

Visitors take pictures of Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, Ueno Zoo鈥檚 two giant pandas. In December, it was announced that the animals, a symbol of friendship between China and Japan, would be returned to China in January. Relations between the two countries hit a low after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested in November that a naval blockade in the vicinity of Taiwan could constitute a 鈥渟urvival-threatening situation鈥� for Japan.
Visitors take pictures of Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, Ueno Zoo鈥檚 two giant pandas. In December, it was announced that the animals, a symbol of friendship between China and Japan, would be returned to China in January. Relations between the two countries hit a low after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested in November that a naval blockade in the vicinity of Taiwan could constitute a 鈥渟urvival-threatening situation鈥� for Japan. | JOHAN BROOKS

A customer holds a bag of government stockpiled rice at a store in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture, on July 3. Rice prices doubled in the past year, prompting then-Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's government to release emergency reserves into the market and sideline conventional distribution channels.
A customer holds a bag of government stockpiled rice at a store in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture, on July 3. Rice prices doubled in the past year, prompting then-Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba鈥檚 government to release emergency reserves into the market and sideline conventional distribution channels. | BLOOMBERG

A woman takes a photo of a screen displaying the blue-chip Nikkei 225 Stock Average, which surpassed the psychologically key level of 50,000 for the first time on Oct. 27.
A woman takes a photo of a screen displaying the blue-chip Nikkei 225 Stock Average, which surpassed the psychologically key level of 50,000 for the first time on Oct. 27. | BLOOMBERG

Then-Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa meets with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on April 16, following his 鈥淟iberation Day鈥� tariff announcement on April 2.
Then-Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa meets with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on April 16, following his 鈥淟iberation Day鈥� tariff announcement on April 2. | HANDOUT/ VIA REUTERS

As of August, tariffs were still posing a threat to thousands of small, low-margin auto parts suppliers like Asahi Tekko, which produces parts for Toyota vehicles at a plant in Hekinan, Aichi Prefecture.
As of August, tariffs were still posing a threat to thousands of small, low-margin auto parts suppliers like Asahi Tekko, which produces parts for Toyota vehicles at a plant in Hekinan, Aichi Prefecture. | KENTARO TAKAHASHI/ THE NEW YORK TIMES

A bear tries to keep cool at Ueno Zoo in August. Meanwhile, in the wild, bear attacks left 13 people dead and hundreds injured in 2025, resulting in the Ground Self-Defense Force troops being called in to assist some local authorities.
A bear tries to keep cool at Ueno Zoo in August. Meanwhile, in the wild, bear attacks left 13 people dead and hundreds injured in 2025, resulting in the Ground Self-Defense Force troops being called in to assist some local authorities. | JOHAN BROOKS

Outgoing Fuji Television Network President Koichi Minato answers questions on how Fuji handled allegations of sexual misconduct by renowned TV personality Masahiro Nakai in January.
Outgoing Fuji Television Network President Koichi Minato answers questions on how Fuji handled allegations of sexual misconduct by renowned TV personality Masahiro Nakai in January. | REUTERS

Visitors to Tokyo鈥檚 Sensoji temple refresh themselves next to a mist machine amid a heat wave in August. The Japan Meteorological Agency declared 2025鈥檚 summer as the hottest on record with temperatures averaging 2.36 degrees Celsius higher than usual.
Visitors to Tokyo鈥檚 Sensoji temple refresh themselves next to a mist machine amid a heat wave in August. The Japan Meteorological Agency declared 2025鈥檚 summer as the hottest on record with temperatures averaging 2.36 degrees Celsius higher than usual. | REUTERS

The sun sets on architect Sou Fujimoto's Grand Ring on the final day of the World Expo in Osaka in October.
The sun sets on architect Sou Fujimoto鈥檚 Grand Ring on the final day of the World Expo in Osaka in October. | JOHAN BROOKS

Reporters gather outside the Nara District Court where Tetsuya Yamagami is on trial for the 2021 murder of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, on Oct. 28.
Reporters gather outside the Nara District Court where Tetsuya Yamagami is on trial for the 2021 murder of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, on Oct. 28. | TOMOKO OTAKE