Japan's government on Thursday maintained a cautious outlook for the economy in part as policymakers kept a wary eye on U.S. President Donald Trump's policies and their potential impact on global growth.

Japanese companies remain bullish about investing in the United States but need to prepare for supply chain shocks that could arise during Donald Trump's presidency, the chief executive of drinks giant Suntory Holdings said on Wednesday.

Japan will continue to strengthen its defence capabilities given the security situation in East Asia, Japan's foreign minister told his U.S. counterpart in a meeting on Tuesday, his spokesperson said.

Japan might take a leadership role in global free trade if the United States piles on tariffs and rejects multilateral institutions, some analysts and business leaders argue. It could find opportunity in the turmoil while avoiding direct confrontation with its ally.

TOKYO (AP) — Japan saw record-high exports last year, as its annual trade deficit declined 44% from the previous year, the Finance Ministry reported Thursday.

Beneath the polite diplomacy lies a current of apprehension about what Donald Trump’s return means for Japan’s place in an upended world.

The United States, Australia, India and Japan recommitted to working together on Tuesday, after the first meeting of the China-focused "Quad" grouping's top diplomats since President Donald Trump returned to the White House.

More than a dozen countries across the world refuse to grant travel visas to people with a felony on their records, a category that now includes President-elect Trump.

President Donald Trump is announcing investments worth up to $500 billion for infrastructure tied to artificial intelligence by a new partnership formed by OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank

Mapmakers and teachers are re-thinking what to call the gulf of water between Mexico, the United States and Cuba

U.S. stocks are drifting around a record on Thursday amid a relatively quiet day on Wall Street. The S&P 500 was 0.3% higher in afternoon trading and on track to surpass its all-time high set early last month after coming close the day before.