Tokyo, Dec 4 (Reporter) Japan closely follows the developments in South Korea, where martial law was imposed overnight and lifted hours later, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Wednesday. "We've been following [the situation in South Korea] closely and with particular attention," the Kyodo news agency quoted Ishiba as saying. Despite the fact that the martial law was lifted, the situation may affect Ishiba's visit to South Korea planned for January, government sources told the news agency. While Ishiba himself said that there has been no decision on the matter, a high-ranking foreign ministry official told the media that the visit may or may not be influenced "depending on how the situation will develop." South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol announced martial law late on Tuesday, claiming that the opposition was sympathizing with North Korea and plotting a "rebellion." The parliament defied the presidential declaration and voted to lift martial law. The office of the speaker of the parliament, Woo Won-shik, said that the president's declaration of martial law was invalid following the lawmakers' vote. Later, Yoon Suk Yeol issued a statement saying that he had withdrawn the military personnel involved in the implementation of martial law and would soon lift it. A government meeting was held to formalize the decision to lift martial law...////...