● World

Iran War Day 16: Strait of Hormuz Shut, Oil at $105, Trump Calls on China for Help

World

Mar 16, 2026

📰 Live Updates: This article is based on reporting from CNN, NPR, Democracy Now!, and PBS NewsHour as of March 15–16, 2026. The conflict is ongoing and casualty figures are rising daily.

The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran has now entered its 16th day and shows no signs of ending soon. What began on February 28 with airstrikes that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has spiralled into the most devastating Middle East conflict in decades — claiming over 1,000 lives, shutting the world's most critical oil chokepoint, and sending global energy markets into crisis. Here is a comprehensive update on where things stand as of March 16, 2026.

🛢️ Strait of Hormuz: The World's Oil Supply Held Hostage

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has effectively sealed the Strait of Hormuz — the 33-kilometre-wide chokepoint through which approximately 20% of the world's entire oil supply passes every single day. Iran declared the Strait "closed" on March 3, and since then at least three oil tankers have been struck by Iranian projectiles while attempting to pass through.

The most recent incident occurred on March 11, when the Thai cargo ship Mayuree Naree was fired upon and set ablaze after the IRGC said it had "disregarded warnings." A Liberian-flagged vessel, the Express Rome, was also struck the same morning. At least three crew members remain missing from these incidents. The closure has triggered the biggest oil supply disruption in history. Brent crude surged above $105 per barrel on Sunday — the highest level since July 2022 — after Trump administration officials said the conflict could last several more weeks. U.S. oil crossed $100 per barrel for the first time in years.

Qatar's state-owned fossil fuel company suspended all liquefied natural gas production after two of its facilities were struck. Saudi Arabia's largest domestic oil refinery was halted following a drone attack. Oil production has also stopped in Iraqi Kurdistan and in the Tamar gas field in the Mediterranean Sea off Israel's coast. The UN World Food Programme has warned that disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea are threatening humanitarian supply routes to Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon, where populations were already chronically vulnerable before the war began.

💰 Economic Impact: The U.S. has already spent more than $10 billion on the war in its first two weeks. The Energy Department has announced the release of 172 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and 32 nations coordinated a record release of 400 million barrels combined — but analysts say it is insufficient to offset the Strait closure without a diplomatic resolution.

🇨🇳 Trump Calls on China to Help Reopen Hormuz

In a significant diplomatic development, President Trump publicly called on China to help address the disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, claiming there has been "some positive response" after reaching out to countries for assistance. Trump also warned that NATO faces a "very bad" future if allies fail to help secure the waterway.

Trump has indicated he may delay a planned summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping as negotiations continue. China is the world's largest importer of Iranian oil and has deep economic interests in the Strait remaining open — which gives Beijing unusual leverage in the current crisis. Whether China will intervene diplomatically or continue to observe from the sidelines is the most significant open question in the conflict's diplomatic dimension.

🕌 Iran's New Supreme Leader Issues Defiant Statement

Iran has appointed a new Supreme Leader: 56-year-old Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the assassinated Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Israel suspects he was wounded in the opening airstrikes of the conflict. In a defiant first statement — notably read by a state TV news anchor rather than delivered on camera by Mojtaba himself — Iran's new Supreme Leader vowed to continue attacks on Gulf Arab neighbours, maintain the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz as leverage against the United States and Israel, and promised revenge for all airstrikes carried out inside Iran.

Hundreds of thousands of Iranians rallied in Tehran in support of the new Supreme Leader — a display of nationalism that analysts say has strengthened the regime's domestic standing even as its military capabilities have been degraded. The Trump administration claims it has already "severely degraded" Iran's ability to wage war, having destroyed many of Iran's ballistic missiles and largely destroyed its navy and nuclear programme.

✈️ Dubai Airport: Fire & Evacuations

Flights were temporarily suspended and people evacuated at Dubai International Airport — the world's busiest international hub — after a fuel tank nearby caught fire during what UAE authorities described as a "drone-related incident." The airport has been repeatedly affected by the conflict, with Iranian drone and missile strikes disrupting aviation operations and stranding hundreds of thousands of passengers across the Gulf region since the war began.

European cruise operators have reported dozens of cancelled voyages due to ships being unable to access Gulf ports. Insurance premiums for vessels in the region have skyrocketed. Several international airlines have permanently rerouted long-haul flights away from Middle Eastern airspace for the duration of the conflict.

🏫 Pentagon Investigates Iranian School Strike

One of the most controversial developments of the conflict has been an investigation into a missile strike on an Iranian school on the first day of the war. Early findings from a Pentagon investigation indicate that the U.S. may be at fault for the strike, which killed at least 175 children, teachers, and other staff. President Trump has publicly denied U.S. responsibility for the school bombing, calling the evidence "fake." Video footage analysed by multiple news organisations contradicts the denial.

The school strike has been condemned by international human rights organisations and has significantly worsened global public opinion of the U.S. military campaign. Amnesty International's Secretary-General Agnès Callamard described it as a potential war crime. Senator Tim Kaine reiterated his position that the entire war is "illegal" under U.S. law, having been launched without a congressional declaration of war — a position shared by a growing number of lawmakers in both parties.

🇱🇧 Israel Threatens Lebanon Ground Invasion

Israel has widened its strikes into Lebanon significantly, and the Israeli military has now stated publicly that it plans for its military campaign to continue for at least three more weeks. Israel is also threatening to invade the southern portion of Lebanon following continuous Hezbollah missile barrages into northern Israel since the attacks on Iran began. The UN reports that Israel's assault on Lebanon has already displaced 700,000 people. Lebanon has made desperate appeals to Israel's Western allies to stop the campaign.

📌 Status as of March 16, 2026: Death toll exceeds 1,000 Iranians and 7 American service members. Israel military campaign planned for 3+ more weeks. Strait of Hormuz effectively closed. Oil at $105/barrel. Iran's new Supreme Leader vows continued retaliation. Diplomatic channels remain largely frozen. The world waits.

More from World

See all →

World

Iran War Week Two: 1,000 Dead, Pentagon School Strike Investigation, New Supreme Leader Named

📰 Sources: NPR News Roundup (March 13, 2026), PBS NewsHour (March 10, 2026), Democracy Now! (March 10, 2026), WORLD Radio (March 13, 2026). Two weeks into the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, the conflict has claimed more than 1,000 Iranian lives and seven American service members, with those numbers expected to rise significantly if ground operations begin — a possibility Trump administration officials refuse to rule out. The second week of the war brought devastating new revelations, an extraordinary environmental crisis in Tehran, and the appointment of a new Iranian Supreme Leader for the first time in 37 years. ☢️ Environmental Catastrophe Hits Tehran Israeli strikes on Tehran's oil depots on Sunday March 8 have created an environmental disaster of historic proportions. Residents of Tehran reported waking up with pain in their throats and burning eyes. Streets and cars were covered in soot. Balconies were filled with black gunk. The World Health Organisation's Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus issued an urgent warning: "Damage to petroleum facilities in Iran risks contaminating food, water and air — hazards that can have severe health impacts especially on children, older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions." Iran's capital of 9 million people is now dealing simultaneously with the physical destruction of infrastructure, a public health emergency, and the psychological trauma of sustained military attack. Hospitals in Tehran are overwhelmed. International humanitarian organisations have been unable to deliver meaningful aid due to the ongoing conflict and airspace restrictions. 🏫 The School Strike Controversy Early findings from a Pentagon investigation have indicated that the United States may be at fault for a missile strike on an Iranian school on the very first day of the war — February 28. The strike killed at least 175 children, teachers, and other staff. Video footage analysed by multiple international news organisations strongly suggests an American missile was responsible. President Trump has denied U.S. responsibility, calling the evidence "fake." The incident has drawn condemnation from human rights organisations globally and has deepened opposition to the war both domestically and internationally. A CNN poll conducted in the first week of the conflict found that nearly 6 in 10 Americans disapprove of the decision to take military action against Iran. 🕌 Mojtaba Khamenei Named New Supreme Leader Iran's Assembly of Experts appointed Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei — the 56-year-old son of the assassinated Supreme Leader — as Iran's new Supreme Leader. The appointment was controversial even within Iran, as Mojtaba Khamenei was not previously a widely prominent religious figure and his appointment was widely seen as dynastic succession rather than a merit-based religious appointment as Iran's constitution intends. Israel believes he may have been wounded during the opening airstrikes. His first public statement was notably not delivered on camera but read by a state television news anchor — raising questions about his physical condition and the extent of the wound. 💰 U.S. Spending and Strategic Oil Reserve The United States has spent more than $10 billion on the war in its first two weeks — a figure that is accelerating rapidly as operations intensify. The Energy Department announced the release of 172 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to address surging domestic fuel prices. In a coordinated international response, 32 nations announced a combined record release of 400 million barrels. Despite these emergency measures, oil prices have remained stubbornly elevated as the Strait of Hormuz closure has removed far more supply from global markets than emergency reserves can replace. President Trump defended rising gas prices during campaign-style visits to Kentucky and Ohio, arguing the long-term gain of "a much better Middle East" and "a much more secure supply of energy for the world" justifies the "short-term disruption." Most economists are more cautious, warning that a prolonged Strait closure could trigger a global recession. 🇦🇫 Afghans Caught in the Crossfire Tens of thousands of Afghan refugees — already displaced from their home country and living in Iran — have found themselves caught in the middle of the conflict. Transit centres for people returning from Pakistan have been impacted by strikes. The Torkham border crossing was closed for several days. More than 232,000 Afghans have returned to Afghanistan in 2026 alone, approximately two-thirds from Pakistan and the remainder from Iran. The UN's refugee agency, UNHCR, warned that "mass and hasty returns significantly heighten protection needs, and risk further instability in Afghanistan and the region." 📌 Week Two Summary: 1,000+ Iranians killed. 7 U.S. service members dead. Tehran environmental disaster declared. Pentagon investigating school bombing of 175 civilians. New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei appointed. U.S. war cost passes $10 billion. 60% of Americans disapprove of the war.

Mar 13, 2026

World

War on Iran: U.S. and Israel Strike Tehran, Khamenei Killed — The Middle East in Crisis

📰 Sources: This article is based on live reporting from CNN and Al Jazeera, published March 3–4, 2026. In one of the most dramatic and consequential military operations in modern history, the United States and Israel launched a joint aerial bombardment against Iran in the early hours of February 28, 2026 — an attack that killed Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and triggered a wave of retaliatory strikes across the Middle East that continues to this day. How It Started — Operation "Roar of the Lion" In the predawn hours of Saturday, February 28, the Israeli Air Force launched what it described as a pre-emptive strike against Iran, with the United States joining the operation immediately. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz named the operation "Roar of the Lion." The Israeli Air Force deployed approximately 200 fighter jets — the largest combat sortie in its history — striking over 500 military targets in western and central Iran, including air defence systems and ballistic missile launchers. The U.S. deployed B-2 stealth bombers to strike fortified underground ballistic missile facilities. Alongside the physical airstrikes, Israel conducted coordinated cyberattacks on Iranian infrastructure, media, and phone applications. Strikes hit the cities of Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah. A near-total internet blackout was reported across Tehran within hours of the attack beginning. The Israeli Air Force also struck the presidential administration and Supreme National Security Council buildings in Tehran with "multiple munitions," according to the BBC. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed the entrances to the underground Natanz Nuclear Facility had been bombed, though there were no signs of radiation release. 🚨 Breaking — Day 1: Israel conducted strikes using over 200 jets. The U.S. used "suicide" drones — one-way attack drones packed with explosives — in combat for the first time ever. Secretary of State Marco Rubio later disclosed that the initial U.S. attack was triggered by an Israeli intention to strike Iranian leadership that would have jeopardised U.S. forces in the region. Khamenei Killed — A Historic Turning Point The most seismic moment came when U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — the 86-year-old cleric who had ruled Iran for 37 years — had been killed in the strikes. Iranian state TV subsequently confirmed his death. Khamenei was killed at his office compound in Tehran's Pasteur Street district. His daughter, son-in-law, and grandson were also killed. He died alongside Ali Shamkhani, former head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, and several other senior Iranian officials and military commanders. Iran Strikes Back — Gulf Explodes Iran's retaliation was swift. Tehran launched dozens of ballistic missiles and drones targeting U.S. military assets across Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. A drone struck the U.S. Embassy compound in Dubai. Dubai International Airport was closed. Two Iranian drones hit the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh. An Iranian Shahed drone attack caused a large fire at an oil terminal in Fujairah, UAE. France deployed Rafale fighter jets to the UAE in response. Britain deployed HMS Dragon warship to Cyprus after Iranian attacks on its Akrotiri military base. Qatar arrested 10 people from two IRGC cells for espionage and sabotage. The U.S. Navy destroyed Iran's lead Shahid Soleimani-class corvette. Jordan briefly closed then reopened its airspace. The Strait of Hormuz was declared closed by Iran's IRGC. 💀 Casualties (as of March 4): Iran's Red Crescent confirmed 787 dead from the initial U.S.-Israeli strikes. 6 U.S. service members killed. 11 Israelis dead. Deaths also reported in UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Over 1 million travellers stranded worldwide.

Mar 4, 2026

World

India Semiconductor Mission 2.0: India's Plan to Become a Global Chip Manufacturing Hub by 2030

In a world increasingly defined by the tiny silicon chips that power everything from smartphones and laptops to missiles, electric vehicles, and artificial intelligence systems, control over semiconductor manufacturing has become the most important strategic question in global geopolitics. The United States and China are engaged in a trillion-dollar race for chip supremacy. Taiwan — which produces over 90% of the world's most advanced semiconductors — sits at the centre of the most dangerous geopolitical flashpoint on the planet. And India, recognising both the strategic necessity and the extraordinary economic opportunity, has launched one of its most ambitious industrial programmes in history: the India Semiconductor Mission 2.0. 💡 Why Semiconductors Are the New Oil Semiconductors — the integrated circuits etched onto silicon wafers that form the computing brain of every electronic device — are the foundational technology of the 21st century. Without them, modern civilisation stops. No smartphones. No computers. No internet infrastructure. No electric vehicles. No precision weapons. No medical equipment. No modern economy. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed just how catastrophically vulnerable the world is to semiconductor supply chain disruption: a global chip shortage triggered by pandemic-related factory closures caused the automotive industry alone to lose an estimated $210 billion in revenue in 2021 as car manufacturers could not source the chips needed to build their vehicles. The strategic importance of semiconductors goes beyond economics. The United States has imposed sweeping export controls on advanced semiconductor technology to China, preventing Chinese companies from accessing the chips and chipmaking equipment needed to build the most powerful AI systems. This has made semiconductor manufacturing a national security issue of the first order for every major economy. Nations that can manufacture their own advanced chips are strategically self-sufficient. Nations that cannot are strategically vulnerable in ways that no military investment can fully offset. 🌍 Global Context: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) manufactures approximately 90% of the world's most advanced chips. Taiwan's extraordinary geopolitical vulnerability — it is claimed by China as its own territory — means that a conflict in the Taiwan Strait would instantly remove 90% of the world's advanced chip supply. Every major economy is racing to diversify semiconductor manufacturing out of Taiwan as insurance against this catastrophic scenario. 🇮🇳 India's Semiconductor Mission — Phase 1 India launched its first Semiconductor Mission in December 2021 with an incentive package of approximately ₹76,000 crore ($10 billion) to attract semiconductor fabrication plants, display manufacturing facilities, and chip design companies to India. The programme offered up to 50% fiscal support for approved projects — an extraordinarily generous incentive structure that reflected the government's determination to establish India as a global semiconductor manufacturing centre. The results of Phase 1 have been genuinely significant. The Tata Group — India's largest industrial conglomerate — partnered with Taiwan's Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC) to establish India's first commercial semiconductor fab in Dholera, Gujarat. Micron Technology of the United States announced a $2.75 billion investment to build a semiconductor assembly, testing, marking, and packaging facility in Sanand, Gujarat — the single largest foreign direct investment in the Indian semiconductor sector in history. CG Power, in partnership with Japan's Renesas Electronics and Thailand's Stars Microelectronics, announced a semiconductor ATMP facility in Sanand. Kaynes Semicon announced India's first domestically-led semiconductor ATMP facility in Mysuru, Karnataka. 🚀 Mission 2.0 — What's New in 2026 Building on the foundation of Phase 1, India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 has significantly expanded both the ambition and the investment scale of the programme. The government has allocated an additional ₹1.25 lakh crore ($15 billion) in incentives, with a focus on moving India up the semiconductor value chain from assembly and packaging toward actual chip fabrication — the most technologically demanding and highest-value part of the semiconductor manufacturing process. The flagship project of Mission 2.0 is the Tata Electronics semiconductor fab in Dholera, which broke ground in early 2026 and is expected to begin production of 28-nanometre chips by 2028. While 28nm is not the cutting edge of semiconductor technology — TSMC and Samsung are manufacturing 3nm and 2nm chips — it represents the technology node used in a vast range of applications including automotive electronics, industrial equipment, smartphones, and consumer electronics. Establishing a proven 28nm manufacturing capability in India is the essential foundation from which more advanced nodes can be developed over time. 🎓 India's Critical Advantage: Engineering Talent India's most significant natural advantage in the semiconductor sector is human capital. India produces approximately 1.5 million engineering graduates annually — more than any other country except China. Indian engineers are already deeply embedded in the global semiconductor industry: Indians or Indian-origin professionals lead R&D teams at Intel, Qualcomm, AMD, Apple Silicon, and Google's chip design division. Indian engineers played central roles in designing the Apple M-series chips that transformed the personal computing industry. This deep reservoir of semiconductor engineering expertise is available to be deployed in India's domestic industry as the infrastructure to support it develops. The government has launched a dedicated programme — Chips to Startup (C2S) — to build semiconductor design and manufacturing capabilities in India's engineering colleges. The programme is training 85,000 engineers over five years in chip design, VLSI technology, and embedded systems. India already has over 3,000 chip design companies — more than any country except the United States — and this design ecosystem is the strongest foundation for building a complete domestic semiconductor industry. 🤝 Strategic Partnerships India has signed semiconductor cooperation agreements with the United States, Japan, the European Union, and South Korea — all of which are keen to help India develop as an alternative semiconductor manufacturing hub to Taiwan and China. The India-U.S. Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET), signed in 2023, specifically includes semiconductor supply chain cooperation as a priority area. Japan's major semiconductor equipment manufacturers — Tokyo Electron, Shin-Etsu Chemical, and Sumco — have all expressed interest in establishing operations in India as the manufacturing ecosystem develops. 🎯 India's 2030 Semiconductor Goal: The government's stated ambition is for India to have a complete semiconductor ecosystem — design, fabrication, packaging, and testing — capable of meeting a significant portion of India's domestic chip demand by 2030 and establishing India as a top-five global semiconductor manufacturing location by 2035. Whether this extraordinarily ambitious timeline can be met depends on execution quality, continued government commitment, and the ability to attract and retain the world-class engineering talent the sector demands.

Mar 6, 2026

World

7 of the Best Places in Japan to Visit in 2026

Japan is one of the most captivating travel destinations in the world — a breathtaking blend of ancient tradition and cutting-edge modernity. From the neon-lit towers of Tokyo to the serene bamboo groves of Kyoto, every corner of Japan offers a unique, unforgettable experience. Whether you're planning your first trip or returning for another adventure, here are the 7 best places to visit in Japan in 2026. 1. Kyoto — Japan's Imperial Capital Kyoto served as Japan's imperial capital for over 1,000 years, and that remarkable legacy is still vividly alive today. Unlike many Japanese cities devastated by World War II bombing raids, Kyoto was famously spared — preserving its extraordinary collection of historic temples, traditional wooden townhouses, and beautifully landscaped gardens. With over 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines, Kyoto offers a depth of cultural exploration that few cities in the world can match. Its streets are living museums, where geisha still glide through the cobblestone lanes of Gion and ancient craft traditions like Nishijin weaving continue to thrive. Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) — The iconic Zen Buddhist temple covered in gold leaf, perfectly reflected on a tranquil pond. Fushimi Inari Shrine — Walk through thousands of vermillion torii gates winding up a wooded mountainside. Arashiyama Bamboo Grove — One of Japan's most iconic natural landscapes. Visit before 8am to beat the crowds. Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) — A deeply atmospheric temple renowned for its Zen garden and sand sculptures. Nishiki Market — Known as "Kyoto's Kitchen" — a centuries-old covered market bursting with local foods and street snacks. ✈ Pro Tip: Kyoto is best explored by bicycle. Visit the Fushimi Inari torii gates at sunrise for a magical, crowd-free experience. 2. Tokyo — The World's Largest City Tokyo is, by virtually every measure, the most extraordinary city on Earth. With a greater metropolitan population of 37 million people, Tokyo is a city of dizzying scale, endless variety, and relentless energy. Yet despite its size, Tokyo runs with remarkable precision and cleanliness, and its neighbourhoods each offer a completely distinct personality. From the ultra-modern towers of Shinjuku to the old-world charm of Yanaka, from the kawaii fashion of Harajuku to the refined luxury of Ginza, Tokyo rewards curious explorers at every turn. It's also one of the world's great food cities — home to more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city on the planet. Shibuya Crossing — The world's busiest pedestrian crossing — a symbol of Tokyo's frenetic energy. Tsukiji Outer Market — A must-visit for fresh sushi breakfasts and street food. Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa — Tokyo's oldest and most significant Buddhist temple. TeamLab Borderless or Planets — World-renowned digital art museums offering immersive installations. ✈ Pro Tip: Buy a Suica or Pasmo IC card on arrival to tap on and off trains and buses seamlessly across the city. 3. Osaka — Japan's Food Capital Ask any seasoned Japan traveller to name their favourite city, and many will say Osaka without hesitation. Just a 15-minute bullet train ride from Kyoto, Osaka feels like an entirely different world — louder, more irreverent, more colourful, and utterly obsessed with food. The city has a proud culinary identity captured by the local phrase kuidaore, meaning "to ruin oneself by extravagant eating." Osakans are famously friendly and outgoing, making the city feel immediately welcoming to international visitors. Dotonbori Canal — Osaka's electric entertainment district, best seen after dark when neon signs illuminate the canal. Kuromon Ichiba Market — A 600-stall covered market known as "Osaka's Kitchen." Osaka Castle — A majestic 16th-century fortress especially stunning during cherry blossom season. Shinsekai District — A retro neighbourhood evoking 1950s Osaka, famous for kushikatsu skewers. 4. Miyajima — Japan's Sacred Floating Island Few images in Japan are as instantly recognisable as the great torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine, which appears to float magically on the water at high tide. Located on the sacred island of Miyajima, just a short ferry ride from Hiroshima, this UNESCO World Heritage-listed shrine is one of Japan's most iconic and spiritual landmarks. Staying overnight reveals a completely different side to the island — the shrine glows golden in the evening light, deer roam freely through the streets, and the sense of sacred stillness is profound. 5. Hiroshima — A City of Peace and Resilience Hiroshima stands today as one of Japan's most inspiring cities — a testament to human resilience, rebuilt from the ashes of the 1945 atomic bombing into a vibrant, forward-looking metropolis. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum attracts over 1.7 million visitors annually and is a deeply moving, essential experience. Hiroshima's Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki — a layered savoury pancake with noodles inside — is one of Japan's most distinctive regional foods and worth visiting the city for alone. 6. Himeji Castle — Japan's Greatest Castle Himeji Castle is the finest castle in Japan — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and designated National Treasure, one of only 12 original castles never rebuilt or reconstructed. Known as Hakuro-jo or "White Heron Castle" for its brilliant white exterior, it offers a genuine window into feudal Japan through its seven-story main keep and labyrinthine defensive corridors. 7. Mount Fuji — Japan's Sacred Symbol At 3,776 metres, Mount Fuji is Japan's highest peak and its most universally recognised symbol — a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site venerated by Shinto pilgrims and immortalised by artists for centuries. The official climbing season runs from early July to mid-September. The Chureito Pagoda view — with Mount Fuji framed behind a red five-story pagoda — is arguably Japan's most reproduced image and one of the great photographs any traveller can capture. ✈ Final Tip: Japan has one of the world's most efficient rail networks. A Japan Rail Pass gives unlimited travel on Shinkansen bullet trains across the entire country and is essential for any multi-city itinerary.

Mar 2, 2026

Iran War Day 16: Strait of Hormuz Shut, Oil at $105, Trump Calls on China for Help

🛢️ Strait of Hormuz: The World's Oil Supply Held Hostage

🇨🇳 Trump Calls on China to Help Reopen Hormuz

🕌 Iran's New Supreme Leader Issues Defiant Statement

✈️ Dubai Airport: Fire & Evacuations

🏫 Pentagon Investigates Iranian School Strike

🇱🇧 Israel Threatens Lebanon Ground Invasion

More from World

Iran War Week Two: 1,000 Dead, Pentagon School Strike Investigation, New Supreme Leader Named

War on Iran: U.S. and Israel Strike Tehran, Khamenei Killed — The Middle East in Crisis

India Semiconductor Mission 2.0: India's Plan to Become a Global Chip Manufacturing Hub by 2030

7 of the Best Places in Japan to Visit in 2026

We use cookies 🍪