Which country is traditionally regarded as having started the world's first regularly published newspaper?

Introduction / Context:
This question belongs to world history and media history. It focuses on the origin of the earliest known newspapers. While many countries developed early news sheets, ancient China is traditionally credited with starting some of the first regularly published newspapers in human history.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The term "newspaper" is used in a broad historical sense. • We are considering the earliest regularly distributed government or public news bulletins. • The question follows the standard general knowledge convention used in exams.

Concept / Approach:
Ancient China had official news bulletins such as "Dibao" or "Ti Bao" and later the "Peking Gazette", which are often described as some of the world's earliest continuously published newspapers. Because of this long tradition of state news sheets, GK books commonly mark China as the country where the first newspaper started.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that ancient China used woodblock printing and later movable type printing long before Europe. Step 2: These technologies supported the production and circulation of official news bulletins. Step 3: GK references typically mention the Chinese "Dibao" as an early form of newspaper. Step 4: Compare this information with the options provided. Step 5: Select "China" as the country traditionally associated with the first newspaper.

Verification / Alternative check:
History sources point out that in Europe, early printed newspapers like "Relation" appeared in the early seventeenth century, but China's news bulletins existed centuries earlier. Exam-oriented books therefore accept China as the cradle of the earliest newspapers, even though the exact definition of "newspaper" can vary among historians.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option Japan: Japan had its own printing and publishing traditions, but it is not usually credited with the first newspaper. Option United States of America: Printed newspapers in the U.S. are much later, beginning in the colonial period. Option India: Early Indian newspapers appeared under British rule in the eighteenth century, long after the Chinese examples. Option Germany: Germany did have early printed newspapers like "Relation", but GK questions of this type usually prefer China as the origin of the very first newspaper-style publication.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may remember that Germany printed some of the earliest European newspapers and mistakenly choose Germany. Others may guess the United States or India due to familiarity. It is important to distinguish between "first modern European newspaper" and the broader historical claim of the "first newspaper in the world", for which competitive exams typically expect China as the answer.

Final Answer:
Therefore, the country traditionally regarded as having started the world's first regularly published newspaper is China.