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The Financial Accounting Standards Foundation has decided to keep regular amortization of goodwill arising from M&A and will not offer a non-amortization option. The decision will be made at an advisory meeting on the 27th.
The Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management was drafted under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's office, while markets reacted to the removal of language on fiscal consolidation and pushed long-term yields higher. The revisions came after coordination with the ruling party.
The Nikkei 225 rebounded in Tokyo trading on the 21st as AI and semiconductor stocks were bought back. While the China AI shock eased, concerns about US-China development competition and overheating in US tech stocks still lingered.
A US federal court approved a settlement under which Anthropic will pay about $1.5 billion to authors and others in a class action over copyright infringement during AI development. It is the largest settlement ever in a copyright class action.
Defense Minister Koizumi said in Farnborough, England, that Chinese and Russian naval vessels conducted live-fire drills inside Japan's exclusive economic zone. The Maritime Self-Defense Force confirmed four Chinese and Russian military vessels southwest of Okinotorishima on the 19th.
The Trump administration said it would impose an additional 50% tariff on Canadian goods. The measure, based on Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, covers more than 500 items. The USMCA tariff exemption will not apply.
The Iran-backed Houthi group declared a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea. Citing retaliation, it raised concerns over Saudi oil exports, shipments via the Red Sea and traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
In efforts to end the US-Iran conflict, a mediator has proposed a 10-day halt to attacks by both sides. The US military announced on July 19 that it had attacked Iran for nine straight days and was sending additional F-16s and F-35s to the Middle East. Iran is showing signs of expanding the scope of its attacks.
The Philippine military said on the 20th that a Filipino navy sailor was injured after being hit by China Coast Guard personnel near Ayungin Shoal in the South China Sea. The Philippine foreign and defence ministries criticised China, while the China Coast Guard said the Filipino side attacked first.
The European Commission said on the 20th it would fine Alibaba Group 550 million euros for insufficient measures against illegal products. The sanction under the DSA is the third of its kind and the largest to date.
Chinese AI startup Moonshot AI said late on the 19th that it would suspend new user sign-ups. A surge in usage has strained computing resources, and access will for now be limited to existing members. No date has been set for a resumption.
Massive investment in AI data centers is expanding, with annual spending forecast to reach $1.3 trillion in 2026. Demand for GPUs, HBM, SSDs and MLCCs is spreading, creating opportunities for Japanese companies.
Off-balance-sheet debt tied to AI investments at five US big tech companies has reached $1.65 trillion, surpassing their actual debt. Meta and Oracle stand out, while the expansion of data center investment is making financial risks harder to see.
US Central Command said one US service member was killed on 18 in fighting with Iran. Two more died in Jordan on 17, heightening concern over broader US retaliation and a full-scale confrontation between the US and Iran.
Jordan's military said on the 19th that it intercepted at least three missiles fired from Iran. Fragments fell in southern Israel's Eilat, while tensions are also spreading around Kuwait and the Strait of Hormuz.
Russian President Vladimir Putin met North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui in Moscow on the 19th, expressing gratitude for Pyongyang's support for the invasion of Ukraine. The report also said the two sides may have discussed a possible visit by General Secretary Kim Jong Un to Russia, as high-level exchanges between the countries intensify.
AZ-COM Maruwa Holdings will introduce JPYC for payments to about 2,300 partner companies. It is expected to be the first large-scale corporate use in Japan, and the company is also considering a business partnership and an investment of just over 1 billion yen.
Moonshot AI, a Chinese artificial intelligence startup, is reported to be planning a Hong Kong listing within six months. Its valuation could exceed $30 billion, and the launch of its Kimi K3 model has drawn market attention.
AI-driven job substitution is polarising pay for IT engineers. Rates for upstream work are rising, while downstream work has fallen sharply. Differences in AI skills are also showing up in hiring and promotion.
New York Mayor Mamdani said Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who is subject to an ICC arrest warrant, should be sent to The Hague. He said he is also weighing how to respond if Netanyahu visits the U.S. in September.
A drone attack by Ukrainian forces set fire to two warehouses owned by Russian e-commerce giant Wildberries, with damage potentially reaching 50 billion roubles. Attacks also continued in Kyiv and elsewhere.
The World Cup final in North America will be held at 3 p.m. on the 19th at the New York-New Jersey Stadium. This article outlines the strengths and key points for Argentina, which is aiming for back-to-back titles, and Spain, which is seeking its first crown since 2010.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang completed key engagements in Japan on Sept. 15-16, with a series of meetings with corporate executives and announcements of collaborations. The trip also underscored the dependence of Japan's domestic AI efforts on Nvidia's platform.
EY Parthenon estimated that the US and Europe would need an additional $23.6 trillion over 25 years to reduce dependence on China. It outlined the amounts needed for the US, euro zone and Britain, as well as the challenges of localising supply chains.
U.S. Central Command said two U.S. soldiers were killed and one was missing in fighting with Iran. There were also injuries while intercepting attacks in Jordan, and the U.S. military is exploring the possibility of additional retaliation, including expanded operations and strikes on nuclear facilities.
The Financial Times reported that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is considering dismissing Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. In Kyiv, thousands of supporters of former Defence Minister Fedorov protested, raising concern over wartime personnel changes.
Hanoi plans to build an urban rail network with 18 lines and a total length of about 1,000 kilometers. Total project costs could reach as much as 22 trillion yen, and Vingroup will also take part. Japanese firms are seeking business opportunities on Line 2, but competition is becoming even tougher.
Mohsen Rezaei, an adviser to Iran's supreme leader, warned that if US attacks continue for several days, Iran would move into an all-out offensive. The US military has continued strikes for a seventh straight day and is considering widening its operation.
Global AI and semiconductor stocks fell, and the Nikkei average tumbled 2,694 points to 64,141 on the 17th. Rising competition from Chinese players, supply glut concerns, and a reversal in leveraged products and margin trading have added to the selling.
Shizuoka Prefecture and JR Central signed a natural environment conservation agreement for the Shizuoka section of the Linear Chuo Shinkansen. With conditions now in place to start work on the only undeveloped section, the focus shifts to the opening date and regional development measures.
Sagawa Express said personal data leaked on its member site Smart Club. A configuration error affected about 70,000 people, displaying names and email addresses in some emails.
China's Moonshot AI has launched its new Kimi K3 model, unsettling US markets and drawing scrutiny from experts. The model's performance is nearing the top US offerings, while debate over low costs and alleged distillation has again put US-China competition in the spotlight.
Apple raised iPhone prices in Japan on the 17th, led by the 17 series, by around 10% as memory costs rose and the yen weakened. Mac and iPad prices had already been lifted earlier.
U.S. Central Command said it carried out attacks on Iran for a seventh straight day and destroyed a Revolutionary Guard watchtower. The U.S. administration is weighing an expansion of the operation, while Iran has signaled a full-scale offensive.
In Tokyo trading on the 17th, the Nikkei Average fell 2,694 yen from the previous day to 64,141 yen, hitting its lowest level in about a month. Selling in AI and semiconductor stocks and caution over the rise of Chinese players weighed on the market.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off the coast of Chiapas in southern Mexico at 8:48 a.m. on the 17th. The epicenter was close to the coast and the depth was 15.2 kilometers. Reuters reported that there was a risk of tsunami in the surrounding area, but there was no concern for Japan.
Technology stocks fell on the US stock market on the 17th after a Chinese company unveiled a lower-priced new AI model. The Nasdaq at one point fell 2%, while Alphabet and Nvidia were also sold off.
Britain's governing Labour Party has chosen MP Andy Burnham as its leader. He will take office on the 20th as Starmer's successor and seek to rebuild the party on a platform of devolution and renationalisation.
Chinese AI startup Moonshot AI has unveiled a new model, Kimi K3, that it says comes close to US frontier systems. With 2.8 trillion parameters, it claims an edge in coding, agent functions and pricing.
A bill creating an offense for damaging the national flag was approved and enacted in the Upper House plenary session on the 17th. It carries a sentence of up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 200,000 yen, and will take effect 20 days after promulgation. Some have voiced concern that the scope of punishment is unclear.
The Nikkei average fell for a second straight session in Tokyo trading on the 17th, with losses briefly topping 4,000 points. Selling spread across AI-related shares, while semiconductor stocks including Kioxia Holdings and Advantest plunged.
The Nikkei average fell for a second straight session in morning trade in Tokyo on the 17th, dropping more than 2,500 points at one stage and slipping below 65,000. Selling spread to AI and semiconductor-related stocks after weaker U.S. shares.
U.S. Central Command inspected a tanker in the Gulf of Oman and continued measures to bar vessel traffic to and from Iran. The U.S. military also said it carried out strikes against Iran for a sixth straight day. The administration is pursuing both military pressure and renewed talks.
SpaceX is set to launch Starship, the world's largest rocket, as soon as the 16th. The test, its first since the June IPO, will gauge plans to deploy satellites for Starlink and build space data centers for AI. Fixing problems from the previous test is also in focus.
The 10% replacement tariff for Trump tariffs, which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled invalid, will expire on the 24th. The administration plans to move to new tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act, with a 12.5% proposal shown for Japan. The treatment of the 15% cap is also in focus.
The Trump administration has formally decided to shorten the stay period for visas issued to international students and foreign reporters. Students will be limited to a maximum of four years, reporters to 240 days, and Chinese reporters to 90 days, with the rules expected to take effect as early as September.
Nearly 19,000 files are suspected to have leaked from India's Kudankulam nuclear plant in southern India. The files included design drawings and inspection records for units 3 and 4 under construction, and officials say the information is not related to nuclear safety.
Reuters reported that Iran has instructed the Houthis to prepare to block the Red Sea in case the United States attacks its power infrastructure. The report also highlighted the strategic importance of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the impact on oil shipments.
PayPay said on the 16th that some payment, transfer and top-up functions were unavailable due to an AWS outage. Main services had recovered by 6:30 p.m., but some services were still hard to access.
The bill criminalising desecration of the national flag passed the House of Councillors Cabinet Committee and is expected to clear the upper house plenary session on the 17th. This article summarises the penalties, covered acts, opposition concerns and the bill's legislative history.
Sumitomo Mitsui Card and Mitsubishi UFJ NICOS said on the 16th that card payments were difficult to use for about four hours at some merchant outlets. The cause was a network outage at an international card brand, and services were restored in the afternoon. Top-ups for transit IC cards were also affected.
The Office of the United States Trade Representative said on the 15th it would impose an additional 25% tariff on some imports from Brazil. The measure is based on Section 301 of the Trade Act and will take effect in the early hours of the 22nd.
The Nikkei fell 1,954 yen to 66,796 in Tokyo trading on the 16th, as weakness in US semiconductor memory stocks spread and selling hit AI and chip shares, while value stocks drew some buying.
The Nikkei average fell in the Tokyo stock market on the morning of the 16th and at one point slipped below 67,000. Selling led the market on weaker U.S. semiconductor stocks and a sharp drop in the KOSPI, while domestic-demand stocks provided support.
Susumu Tonegawa, a professor at MIT who became the first Japanese to win the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1987, died on July 11 at age 86. He uncovered how the immune system forms antibodies and later made advances in brain science.
In a Pew Research Center survey, China’s favourability overtook the United States for the first time in many countries and regions. The poll was conducted in 36 countries and regions, and in Japan favourability toward China was the lowest at 11%.
Federal Reserve Chair Worsh told the US Senate that slower June CPI and PPI readings alone were not enough to judge inflation, and said he remained focused on curbing price gains. He also referred to his own indicators and a reform task force.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said she does not intend to make a final decision this month on cutting the consumption tax on food items. The government is considering a proposal to lower the rate to 1% from April 2027 and is eyeing submission of related legislation to an extraordinary autumn parliamentary session.
Nichirei said it will gradually resume inbound and outbound operations at refrigerated warehouses from July 17 after a system failure disrupted its low-temperature logistics business. It also said personal information was stored on servers hit by a cyberattack and disclosed the possibility of a leak.
An unauthorized-access related system outage at Nichirei is disrupting frozen and refrigerated logistics, widening its impact across restaurants, food makers and retailers, and affecting about 5,000 clients.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi answered opposition questions at a debate on the 15th about the timing and duration of a food sales tax cut, the response to the Imperial House Law revision bill, and her view on foreign exchange.
Japan Foreign Trade Council Chairman Masahiro Okafuto said the Strait of Hormuz will be difficult to use for the time being, given the turmoil in the Middle East. He also called for alternative procurement, a review of supply chains across ASEAN, action on the weak yen and support for companies expanding into Mercosur.
Commerce Undersecretary Kessler said small shipments of Nvidia's H200 AI chip to China have begun, putting demand in the Chinese market and future penetration in focus under U.S. restrictions.
Spain beat France 2-0 to advance to the final in the North and Central America World Cup semi-finals. They took the lead with a first-half penalty and added a second in the 58th minute. France lost defensive anchor Saliba to injury and their late push came to nothing.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang will visit Japan on 15-16, with a potential tie-up with SoftBank-backed AI company Noetra in focus. The company is seeking to expand sales as sovereign AI demand grows across countries.
U.S. Central Command has begun additional strikes on Iran, extending the exchanges into a fourth straight day. It also resumed a maritime blockade, while disputes over the Strait of Hormuz and the situation in Lebanon are hindering ceasefire talks.
Ukraine's parliament approved Prime Minister Svyrydenko's resignation, and the cabinet resigned en masse. President Zelensky is expected to appoint a successor within the week, with Naftogaz CEO Koretsky emerging as a leading candidate.
The U.S. Labor Department said June CPI rose 3.5% from a year earlier, slowing from May's 4.2% and missing market forecasts. Lower gasoline prices helped, while attention remains on core inflation and the Federal Reserve's policy outlook.
Japan's Financial Services Agency is examining regional banks nationwide for their resilience to rising interest rates and ALM systems. Based on a spring questionnaire, it plans to begin detailed hearings as soon as August and may seek improvements or consider inspections if needed.
The United States and Iran both warned of a renewed closure of the Strait of Hormuz, sending WTI futures briefly to $81. Tighter restrictions on Iranian crude and LNG supply concerns also lifted oil and gas prices sharply.
SoftBank will fully roll out a cyberdefense service using AI, with 137 domestic companies showing interest. In addition to vulnerability checks and remediation proposals, it is expanding AI compute leasing and domestic AI development.
In the Tokyo stock market on the 14th, the Nikkei average fell for a second straight session, closing down 564.37 yen at 66,678.36. Rising oil prices and higher U.S. long-term yields weighed on the market, prompting selling in semiconductor-related shares, while rotational buying continued across the broader market.
A State Department official said the U.S. is considering sanctions and pressure on member states after describing the ICC as a threat to U.S. sovereignty. Secretary of State Rubio also pushed back in a video statement.
At the Tokyo Stock Exchange opening on the morning of the 14th, the Nikkei Average fell for a second day and traded in the lower 666,000 yen range. Weakness in U.S. semiconductor shares and higher crude oil prices weighed on the market, while buying in futures helped trim losses.
U.S. Central Command said it has carried out air strikes on Iran for a third straight day. Iran's military also said it attacked a U.S. military facility in Kuwait. U.S. President Donald Trump signaled the strikes would continue, and a notice to the U.S. Congress on the resumption was also disclosed.
The number of people affected by Aflac Life Insurance's data leak from unauthorized access is seen expanding to about 4.4 million. The breach began on June 10, and a report to the Financial Services Agency is due around the end of July.
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group took the top spot in market capitalization among Japanese companies for the first time on the 13th. It was the first time for a bank since Sumitomo Bank in 1986, with rising interest rates and expanding overseas earnings providing support.
As AI investment expands, memory semiconductors are soaring in price, driving up costs for smartphones, personal computers and other electronics. The average global smartphone price is seen rising by $94 in 2026, and many expect supply shortages to continue beyond 2027.
President Zelensky has said he will replace Prime Minister Svyrydenko. As criticism of the government continues after a corruption scandal uncovered in 2025, attention is turning to possible successors, the challenges facing a new cabinet and power struggles within the ruling party.
A fire broke out at an eatery in Bangkok, Thailand's capital, by the early hours of the 13th, killing at least 25 men and women. Many customers were believed to have gathered inside, and injuries were also reported.
US President Donald Trump said in an NBC television interview that he believes the Strait of Hormuz is open, rejecting the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps' claim that it had been reclosed. The exchange of attacks between the US and Iran continues, while efforts to resume talks have stalled.
U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham died on the 11th at age 71. His office said he died of a sudden illness, and President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky paid tribute. He was known for his hard line on Iran and support for Ukraine.
Japanese stocks are expected to trade firmer in the week of July 13-17, with a return of funds to AI-related shares likely to support the market. The yen is seen staying in the 160 yen per dollar range on expectations of US rate hikes, while China's April-June GDP is expected to come in below 5%.
An Indian crew member was reported missing after a Cyprus-flagged container ship was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz. The foreign ministry condemned attacks on merchant shipping and called for de-escalation and a return to freedom of navigation.
European royals, including those from Belgium and Norway, have been attending matches at the North, Central American World Cup. An expert says closer ties with sports bodies and a bid to increase contact with the public lie behind the trend.
Ten years after the arbitral ruling under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Philippine government issued a joint statement with 14 countries including Japan and the United States. They opposed unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force, and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi also criticised China's stance.
At the World Cup quarter-finals in North and Central America, England beat Norway 2-1 after extra time to reach the semi-finals for the first time in two tournaments. Argentina will face Switzerland.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has again blocked the Strait of Hormuz and said it will not allow passage. The standoff with the United States and stalled talks have deepened uncertainty over the Middle East.
Toyota group's unwinding of strategic shareholdings has entered its final stage, with share sales totaling 935.3 billion yen in the year ended March 2026. The number of holdings has fallen to one-third of the level four years ago, and the treatment of Toyota shares held by group companies is now in focus.
Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Ayatollah on the 11th issued a statement calling for retaliation over the killing of former Supreme Leader Khamenei by the United States and Israel. Reports also said a state funeral and burial had taken place, while his current condition remains unclear.
Yui Kamiji won the women's singles title in the wheelchair event at the Wimbledon Championships to become the first Japanese woman to complete the career Golden Slam. In the men's doubles, Tokito Oda's pair finished runner-up.
Meta said it has stopped offering a feature that allowed Instagram post images to be used in AI composites. The default setting that made public images available for use drew criticism, sparking backlash from Hollywood and creators.
The Trump administration has issued subpoenas to New York Times reporters who reported on security flaws in Air Force One, drawing criticism from the paper as pressure on the press intensifies.
A Ryanair Boeing jet made an emergency landing in Greece after a window came off shortly after takeoff from Thessaloniki Airport. One passenger was injured, and the NTSB said it received a report of a right engine malfunction and cabin depressurization.
Britain's Particle6 has begun making a feature film starring AI actor Tilly Norwood. While the move is expected to help hold down production costs, opposition is growing in Hollywood and at SAG-AFTRA over jobs and compensation.
Apple has sued OpenAI for alleged trade secret theft and related claims. The case centers on accusations that former executives took confidential information, with potential implications for device development and OpenAI's June IPO filing.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he had left instructions for retaliation if Iran were to assassinate him. He also explained why he switched presidential jets mid-trip after a CNN report, citing security concerns.
Trump said after a meeting with Zelensky that the United States would allow licensed production of the Patriot air defense system in Ukraine as stockpiles fall after strikes on Iran.
Apple filed suit on the 10th against OpenAI and two former employees in a California federal court, alleging improper acquisition of confidential information including design data and manufacturing technology in connection with AI device development.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on social media that Iran had requested continued talks and that Washington agreed. While negotiations continued over the June memorandum, both sides exchanged attacks on July 7-8, and mediators are working to ease tensions.
JR East said a glitch in Suica's smartphone app Mobile Suica on the 1st was caused by a surge in access. Traffic spiked after an Apple-side outage the previous day, and higher use during the commuter pass renewal period added to the strain.
Seven & i Holdings is in talks to receive up to 300 billion yen in investment from SoftBank and PayPay. Mitsui Sumitomo Card is also considering investing, as the company seeks stable shareholders and more efficient store operations.
The Imperial House Law amendment bill has passed the lower house and will be debated in the upper house. A 2005 expert panel concluded that allowing female emperors and female-line emperors would help ensure stable succession, but the government’s handling of the issue is drawing criticism for haste.
Israel told the US government that Iran was planning to assassinate US President Donald Trump, CNN and other media reported, as military exchanges between the US and Iran continue and discontent over a June memorandum forms part of the backdrop.
The Imperial House Law revision bill aimed at securing the number of imperial family members passed the lower house on the 10th. The centrist reform bloc switched to support, while the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan is expected to oppose it in upper house deliberations.
A revision bill to the Imperial Household Law aimed at securing the number of imperial family members was approved by the House of Representatives Steering Committee. The bill centers on allowing female imperial family members to retain their status after marriage and bringing male-line descendants of former imperial branches back into the imperial family as adopted heirs, and will now move to the upper house.
Adoption of Chinese AI is expanding at US companies. On OpenRouter, usage has topped 30% since February and reached as much as 46%, driven by low prices, even as US-China regulatory risks linger.
Meta has built in a default feature that lets Instagram post images be used for AI synthesis and rolled out its image-generation AI Muse Image. CAA and SAG-AFTRA are pushing back against the opt-out system and calling for prior consent.
The exchange of attacks between the US and Iran continues, deepening uncertainty over normal shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Attacks on the southern route and US support for transit have intensified the dispute.
US Central Command has released details of additional airstrikes on Iran, saying they were retaliation for attacks on merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran says it attacked US military bases, and the exchange of attacks continues.
After the latest exchange of attacks between the United States and Iran, higher oil prices and inflation worries pushed global yields higher. Japan's newly issued 10-year bond yield briefly reached 2.9%, its highest since September 1996.
Market participants bracing for government and BOJ yen-buying intervention are positioning to buy dollars if the yen strengthens to around 155 per dollar. Options pricing and major financial institutions' forecasts also point to continued yen weakness.
The Japanese yen and South Korean won are both trading near weak levels. In addition to Fed rate-hike expectations, structural factors such as interest rate gaps, capital outflows and weak foreign-currency repatriation are prolonging currency weakness.
In Japan's bond market on the 9th, the yield on the newly issued 10-year government bond briefly rose to 2.900%, the highest since September 1996. Heightened Middle East tensions, higher oil prices and concerns over fiscal deterioration drove selling.
The Nikkei Stock Average rebounded in Tokyo on the 9th, rising more than 1,600 points at one stage on the back of gains in AI and semiconductor stocks. It was supported by stronger U.S. chip shares and reports that China may allow purchases of Nvidia's H200, while auto stocks weakened.
On the 8th in Ankara, the Turkish capital, U.S. President Donald Trump mistakenly referred to Iran as the 'Japan Islamic Republic' when speaking to reporters. He said, 'Missiles were launched from the Japan Islamic Republic.'
U.S. Central Command launched additional airstrikes on Iran as President Trump warned of a strong response to attacks on merchant ships. Iran has hinted at closing the Strait of Hormuz again, escalating the confrontation.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell more than 850 points at one point in US trading on the 8th. After remarks by US President Donald Trump on the US-Iran ceasefire, risk-off selling dominated and higher oil prices also weighed on stocks.
The NATO summit closed on the 8th, reaffirming the collective defence obligation under Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. It also included support for Ukraine in 2026 and 2027 and a strengthening of European defence, while mentioning China was again omitted for a second consecutive year.
Crude prices rebounded, with WTI and North Sea Brent both rising to two-week highs. Expectations for a supply increase faded after the U.S.-Iran exchange, and European gas also hit a one-month high.
US President Donald Trump said on the 8th that the ceasefire with Iran is over, signaling a negative view of continuing negotiations. After retaliatory strikes by US Central Command, talks based on the June memorandum of understanding are becoming more uncertain.
Long-term yields have reached their highest level in about 30 years, with fiscal concerns over the draft of the basic policy guideline and intensifying tensions in the Middle East driving upward pressure. The 10-year government bond yield touched 2.87%, and some market players are eyeing 3%.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attacked a merchant ship trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz on the 6th. The United States and Iran had struck a memorandum on opening the strait, but disputes over transit conditions have continued and renewed disruption to shipping is looming.
In Tokyo trading on the 8th, the Nikkei closed down 498 yen at 67,758. Automakers and other cyclical shares were sold on renewed US-Iran tensions, while telecom and utility stocks helped support the market. Higher oil prices and rising long-term yields also weighed on sentiment.
In Japan's bond market, the yield on newly issued 10-year government bonds briefly rose to 2.865%, the highest level since September 1996. Higher oil prices, the US reimposition of sanctions on Iran and concerns over fiscal management under the Takaichi administration drove selling.
The U.S. Central Command said it launched a strong strike in retaliation for Iran's attack on merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. Treasury reversed the easing of sanctions on Iran and resumed the ban on Iranian crude oil imports.
The US Treasury has reimposed a ban on Iranian crude oil and related products. The move appears to be retaliation for attacks on three merchant vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, and US crude futures briefly rose as much as 6%.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Toyota Motor's partial shift of pickup truck production to the United States was a result of his tariff policy. Toyota will move some production from its Mexico plant to the United States by 2030 and invest $3.6 billion in Texas.
The yen is trading in the upper 161s against the dollar and remains stuck near its weakest level in 39 and a half years. A pause in dollar gains, short-term positioning and political factors around the Basic Policy are drawing attention to a possible post-intervention reversal.
The Liberal Democratic Party and Nippon Ishin no Kai agreed on steps to shrink the Category 3 insured system. They will accelerate expansion of employee pension coverage for part-time workers and people with multiple jobs, while the health ministry will compile a report on its survey within fiscal 2026.
Pacific island nations, the U.S., Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines have criticized China's submarine-launched ballistic missile launch on the 6th. The missile landed near Tuvalu's EEZ, and concerns have also grown over the South Pacific nuclear-free zone.
The NATO summit opens in Ankara, Turkey, to discuss 70 billion euros in aid for Ukraine and reaffirming collective defence obligations. Expanding European contributions and maintaining transatlantic unity are also in focus.
On the 7th in Tokyo, the Nikkei average at one point fell more than 1,700 points as AI and semiconductor stocks extended losses. Buying did not continue even after strong Samsung Electronics results, with high market expectations and profit-taking in focus.
WSJ reported that Iran's Revolutionary Guard attacked two merchant ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz with missiles. UKMTO also reported a fire on a nearby tanker, deepening uncertainty over U.S.-Iran talks.
Samsung Electronics' operating profit for April-June 2026 jumped 19.1 times to 89.4 trillion won, while revenue hit a record 171 trillion won. Strong demand for AI semiconductors and higher HBM sales lifted earnings.
Ukraine's military has attacked Russia's largest Omsk refinery for the first time. Zelenskiy-led long-range drone operations continue, highlighting lower Russian refining capacity and vulnerabilities in its air defences.
US President Donald Trump acknowledged asking FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the suspension of US striker Folarin Balogun. FIFA deferred the punishment for one year, while UEFA sharply criticised the decision.
China’s People’s Liberation Army fired an SLBM into the Pacific high seas on the 6th, aiming to showcase deterrence against the US mainland and raising concern in Japan and Pacific nations.
The state funeral for Iran's former supreme leader, the late Ali Khamenei, drew a huge crowd in Tehran. Calls for revenge against the United States were heard, while Mojtaba Khamenei did not attend and U.S.-Iran talks are expected to resume after the funeral.
In the Bandai Channel unauthorized cancellation case, Tokyo police arrested a 15-year-old boy from Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture. He is said to have used the generative AI tool ChatGPT to complete an illegal program, highlighting the spread of cybercrime among young people.
KDDI said on the 6th it had confirmed the leak of email addresses for 12.23 million people and passwords for 7.61 million people following unauthorized access to its email system. On June 23, it had disclosed the possibility of a leak involving up to 14.22 million items.
The government said on the 6th that it received notification at 11:30 a.m. Japan time from China's defense ministry about a ballistic missile launch. It urged China to reconsider and said it would work to secure safety in airspace and waters while strengthening vigilance and monitoring.
Cheap Chinese AI and its open model approach are driving wider adoption at U.S. firms. Usage surged in June, and Chinese systems gained ground as alternatives to advanced U.S. AI that was briefly suspended under a government directive.
China's Defense Ministry said China and Russia will hold the joint exercise 'Maritime Interaction 2026' near Qingdao, Shandong province, in July, with some units to jointly patrol the Pacific after the drill. It also referred to a joint flight in late June.
Yen weakness is intensifying in the foreign exchange market. Concerns over fiscal expansion, the government's basic policy guidelines and expectations of an early U.S. rate hike are converging, with some warning of a move into the 170-per-dollar range. Many see intervention around 165 yen.
On the 5th, FIFA allowed U.S. forward Balogun to play after he had been suspended for the next match at the North and Central America World Cup tournament. U.S. President Trump expressed gratitude, while the Belgian football association said it was surprised by the decision.
The funeral of Iran's former supreme leader Ali Khamenei entered its second day in Tehran on the 5th. The president and parliament speaker attended as large crowds paid their respects. Memorial events will continue in Qom, Iraq and Mashhad.
A 250th anniversary ceremony in Washington was disrupted by intense heat and thunderstorms, with evacuation orders issued for participants. Trump spoke just before midnight, and the event took on a strongly partisan tone.
Seven OPEC+ allies agreed to continue raising output by 188,000 barrels per day in August. It was the first meeting since the U.S.-Iran memorandum agreement, and oil prices fell back to pre-conflict levels.
BP is considering withdrawing from an offshore wind project off Yusa in Yamagata Prefecture. The Marubeni-led consortium is expected to continue the project, while Mitsubishi Corp's consortium and Equinor have also exited projects in Japan.
US President Donald Trump spoke at a ceremony marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, stressing US strength and the nation's founding principles. He also warned about communism and domestic divisions, highlighting the event's political tensions.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications will ask municipalities to conduct a comprehensive review of their information systems to counter cyberattacks that exploit AI. It is urging repairs for vulnerabilities and the creation of consultation frameworks to curb personal data leaks.
As the government and the Bank of Japan look to curb yen weakness, retail FX investors known as Mrs. Watanabe are building yen-buying positions. The yen-buying share stood at 70.3% on June 24, the highest since 2013.
All 15 major brokerage firms have introduced passkeys by June as they step up defenses against account takeovers. The Financial Services Agency says unauthorized trading losses still total about 2.6 billion yen, and the industry is pressing for full rollout.
Warm, moist air is flowing toward a front, and very heavy rain is expected to continue in northern Kyushu through the 6th. Linear rain bands may develop in Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki and Kumamoto prefectures, with caution needed for landslides and flooding.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on the 4th that Ukrainian drones attacked an oil facility and nearby military targets in St. Petersburg in northwestern Russia. He also posted video on X showing the blaze.
The China Coast Guard said it has made law-enforcement patrols in waters east of Taiwan routine. China is seeking to counter maritime delimitation talks between Japan and the Philippines, while Taiwan pushed back, saying it is a sovereign state.
Sony Group will end disc sales for new PS software from January 2028 and fully shift to downloads. While profitability is expected to improve, retailers, the used market and consumers are likely to feel the impact.
The North and Central America tournament's round of 16 is set, with the knockout phase starting on the 5th in Japan time. Spain face Portugal again, while Canada, Mexico and the United States also meet strong opponents for a place in the quarter-finals.
The state funeral for the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei began in Tehran on the 4th. A ceremony is scheduled in Qom on the 7th, with burial planned in Mashhad on the 9th. U.S.-Iran talks are expected to resume after the state funeral.
Japan's Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry estimated nationwide hospital bed needs for 2040, putting acute care beds at 374,000, down 40% from fiscal 2025. Based on guidelines, prefectures will analyze conditions by around the first half of fiscal 2027 and draw up regional medical care visions by fiscal 2028.
Egypt beat Australia in a penalty shootout to reach the last 16 for the first time in the opening knockout round of the North and Central American World Cup. Argentina defeated Cabo Verde 3-2 in extra time, while Colombia also advanced to the second round.
Iran's state oil company has sounded out major Japanese oil refiners and others about buying crude. The report also covers the June U.S.-Iran memorandum, concerns over security in the Strait of Hormuz and the halt in imports to Japan after the 2019 ban.
Iran on the 3rd accepted condolences from foreign dignitaries ahead of the state funeral for late Ali Khamenei. Damage from US and Israeli attacks remains visible in Tehran, where security forces are maintaining a high alert along major roads.
Peru's election authorities officially declared Keiko Fujimori the winner of the June presidential runoff. She won 50.1% to 49.9% and will take office on the 28th.
Nvidia's demand for AI servers has tightened LPDDR5 supply, pushing transaction prices up 40% in the April-June quarter from the previous quarter. Rising component costs for smartphones are increasing pressure for price hikes.
A late-June heatwave in Europe lifted excess deaths by a total of 3,700 in France, Belgium and the Netherlands. In France, deaths from June 22 to 28 rose by 2,025 from the previous week, highlighting a lack of heat protection measures.
ECB President Christine Lagarde said she may leave before her term ends in October 2027 and take part in discussions over next spring's French presidential election. She denied plans to run or back a specific candidate.
National tax revenue for fiscal 2025 hit a record 84.2226 trillion yen, exceeding forecast by 3.5246 trillion yen. Corporate and income tax revenue rose, but funding needs for a possible consumption tax cut and higher defense spending still leave a shortfall.
Following a draft of Japan's Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform, the long-term yield briefly hit 2.810%, its highest since October 1996. Concerns are growing about expansionary fiscal policy and delays in BOJ rate hikes, while weaker government bond supply-demand dynamics are also in focus.
GPIF said its investment return for fiscal 2025 was a surplus of 41,399.5 billion yen. Gains in Japanese and overseas stocks and a weaker yen helped lift assets under management to 293 trillion yen.
Speculation that Apple may source memory chips from two Chinese companies sent shares in US Micron and SanDisk, as well as related stocks in South Korea and Japan, lower. Semiconductor shares are driving global markets amid pricing leverage talks and AI investment concerns.
In Japan's domestic bond market, the yield on the new 10-year Japanese government bond rose as high as 2.810%, its highest level since October 1996. Bond selling intensified on concerns over a delayed BOJ response and uncertainty over fiscal management.
The Nikkei fell for a second straight session in Tokyo and traded around 68,000. AI and semiconductor stocks were sold after a sharp drop in the U.S. SOX index, while trading houses and real estate shares drew buying after the U.S. jobs report.
Ceremonies related to the funeral of Iran's former supreme leader Ali Khamenei begin on April 4 and will be held sequentially in Tehran, Qom and Mashhad. Officials from more than 100 countries will attend, and talks with the US are set to resume after the funeral.
A heat wave continues across the eastern United States, and about 20 high school students were taken to hospital after falling ill on a broken-down bus in New York state. The heat is also affecting 250th anniversary events and rail services, while economic losses are a growing concern.
US June payrolls increased by just 57,000 from the previous month, while the unemployment rate fell to 4.2%. April and May figures were revised lower, affecting expectations for Fed rate hikes and US interest rates.
Tesla's global sales in April-June 2026 rose 24.9% from a year earlier to 480,126 vehicles, increasing for a second straight quarter. Recovery advanced in Europe and China, while sales continued to lag in the U.S.
The Court of Justice of the European Union upheld the European Commission's decision to fine Google for a competition law violation, fixing the penalty at 4.13 billion euros. It is the largest amount ever imposed on a U.S. tech company under EU competition law.
In the foreign exchange market on the 2nd, the yen briefly rose to the 160s per dollar. In addition to intervention fears following historic yen weakness, dollar selling after FRB Chair Waller's remarks also helped push the yen higher.
Russian forces carried out a large-scale missile and drone attack on Kyiv from the night of the 1st into the early hours of the 2nd, damaging homes and high-rise buildings. Ten people were killed and about 30 injured.
Toyota Motor has decided to partly compensate suppliers for losses after scrapping development of its next-generation EV, LF-ZC. Total compensation could reach several tens of billions of yen, with the impact spreading across the supply chain.
Against the backdrop of a shift toward a mature creditor nation highlighted in a Cabinet Office report, this article examines the structural forces behind a persistently weak yen. Drawing a contrast with the 1995 correction of yen strength, it argues that intervention alone has limits.
US think tank CSIS estimates combined Russian and Ukrainian casualties, including missing persons, have topped 2 million since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine through June 2026. It also says Russia is struggling, monthly casualties are rising and sanctions on Russia should be tightened.
The Nikkei closed down 883 points at 69,591 in Tokyo trading on the 2nd. US losses in AI and semiconductor shares spread to Japan, sending Kioxia sharply lower. Technical weakness and supply-demand concerns have intensified expectations of a short-term correction.
Chinese automakers overtook Japanese rivals in Europe for the first time in May new car sales. BYD's overseas sales rose 70% in January-June as it stepped up its push in Europe with low prices and local production despite EU tariffs.
Sony Group will end disc sales for new PS software from January 2028 and consolidate sales into downloads. SIE announced the move. Sony has already released a disc-free PS5 model.
Spain's health authorities said excess deaths tied to the heatwave have topped 1,000. Deaths across Europe have exceeded 2,000, prompting EU caution over a repeat. Dangerous heat is also forecast in the US through the weekend, with countermeasures under way in many places.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on June 30 and urged caution on the Taiwan issue. China's foreign ministry announced it on July 1. They also discussed building a strategic stable relationship between China and the U.S.
The U.S. Office of Government Ethics released Trump's 2025 asset report. Crypto-related income topped $1.2 billion, and details also emerged on WLF, CIC Digital, real estate income and gifts.
Berkshire Hathaway increased its holdings in Mitsui & Co and Marubeni shares, lifting its stakes to 10.83% and 10.32%, respectively. The move was disclosed in a change report filed by its wholly owned unit with the Kanto Local Finance Bureau.
SoftBank Group has paid an additional $10 billion into U.S. OpenAI. The move is the second tranche of a $30 billion additional investment plan, bringing cumulative investment to $64.6 billion and the stake to about 13% when fully executed.
Aflac Life Insurance said unauthorized access led to the leak of customer information on about 4.38 million people from a policyholder site. The data included names, addresses and bank account information for about 230,000 people, and the Financial Services Agency issued a report request order.
Japan's Nikkei extended gains on the 1st, closing at 70,474.96, up 412.64 points from the previous day. Korean stock weakness capped upside, while buying in AI and chip-related shares continued, leaving the market vulnerable to volatility at high levels in the near term.
Anthropic will resume offering its advanced AI Claude Fable, which had been suspended at the direction of the U.S. government. The Commerce Department has withdrawn the export-control designation, while overseas expansion and pricing changes also move ahead.
The Chinese Communist Party held a 105th anniversary ceremony in Beijing, where General Secretary Xi Jinping called for advancing Taiwan reunification, meeting the 2027 military buildup target and stepping up anti-corruption efforts. He also outlined party membership growth and the party's stance on Taiwan.
The death toll from a series of major earthquakes in Venezuela has reached 1,943, with 10,571 injured. The WFP reported disruption to the food supply chain, while the WHO warned of strain on medical services and a rising risk of infectious diseases.
The Nikkei average extended gains in Tokyo trading and briefly climbed to the 71,700 level. Buying in U.S. stocks and AI and semiconductor shares helped support the market, while an upside surprise in the Bank of Japan’s Tankan survey also underpinned sentiment.
U.S. Middle East envoy Witkoff and Kushner arrived in Doha. Qatar's foreign ministry said there are no plans for direct talks between senior U.S. and Iranian officials. Qatar is continuing talks on Iran's frozen assets and the situation in Lebanon.
The U.S. National Weather Service forecast a dangerous heat wave across the Midwest and East. Washington is expected to near 40 C, with highs above 38 C forecast across much of the East on July 3-4.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional an executive order by President Donald Trump directing changes to birthright citizenship. The court upheld the application of the 14th Amendment, while also highlighting disagreement among conservative justices and possible implications for Japanese nationals.
The government's draft priority plan spells out early realization of a mobile driver's licence. It also includes development of education-focused AI, digitisation of residence management and wider use of domestic cloud services, with the measures to be reflected in July's basic policy.
The yen fell to the 162 level against the dollar, its weakest since December 1986. Strong dollar pressure has built on the resilient U.S. economy, while intervention caution has faded. Market views that the yen will keep weakening are spreading.
At an extraordinary Cabinet meeting on the 30th, the government approved a revision to the Imperial Household Law that centers on allowing female imperial family members to retain their status after marriage and on adopting male-line descendants of former imperial branches, and submitted it to the Diet. It aims for passage in the current session.
Paraguay and Morocco reached the last 16 after winning penalty shootouts on the 19th day of the World Cup in North and Central America, while Japan were beaten 2-1 by Brazil after conceding a late winner in added time.
Aflac Life Insurance said unauthorized access led to the leak of personal information on about 4.38 million customers. The leaked data also included bank account information for about 230,000 people, and information on about 40,000 agencies was also exposed.
Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said at a press conference on the 30th that Japan would respond appropriately as needed after the yen briefly fell to the 162-yen level against the dollar. She also referred to points confirmed at the Japan-U.S. finance ministers meeting.
SoftBank and 44 companies including major manufacturers will join the development of a domestic AI platform. They will invest in Noetra, develop a large-scale model around 2027, and build it into a foundation for physical AI by 2031.
The yen briefly fell to the 162-yen level against the dollar in Tokyo trading, its weakest since December 1986. The market is focused on US rate hike expectations, the Japan-US interest rate gap and warnings of currency intervention.
Japan lost 2-1 to Brazil in the opening knockout match at the World Cup in North and Central America. Kaishu Sano's first-half goal put Japan ahead at the break, but two second-half goals denied them a first-ever advance past the opening knockout round.
The Dow rebounded in U.S. trading on the 29th, closing above $52,000 for the first time. Buying in AI-related shares and expectations of progress in talks between the United States and Iran supported the market, while the Nasdaq also rose for the first time in six trading days.
In the foreign exchange market on the 29th, the yen briefly fell to around 161.97 per dollar, its weakest since December 1986. Expectations of U.S. rate hikes and structural selling pressure on the yen are behind the move, while intervention caution is also rising.
Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is moving to select a Rakuten Group consortium as a recipient of subsidies for a Japanese satellite direct communication business. It will provide a total of 150 billion yen over three years to secure communications during disasters and reduce dependence on overseas providers.
The Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry has begun considering making businesses report health damage caused by supplements. In response to the Kobayashi Pharmaceutical red yeast rice issue, it is also looking at revising the related Food Sanitation Act ordinances as part of a broader regulatory overhaul.
LY Corporation said on the 29th that it will accelerate its shift to a structure in which AI leads system development. It will review about 30% of development processes on the assumption of AI use and gradually shift work procedures by 2027. It is initially targeting a 10% productivity increase.
Russia, North Korea, Pakistan and Bangladesh backed China's criticism of the Sanae Takaichi administration as 'new militarism' in diplomatic documents and other statements. The move may affect Japan's external relations.
Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix will build four factories in South Korea, with investment reaching 800 trillion won. Backed by AI-driven HBM demand and government support, the plan also brings forward the Yongin semiconductor cluster.
China's Commerce Ministry added 20 Japanese companies and groups to its export control list and 20 more to a watchlist, with the focus on defense, space and maritime sectors and continued pressure on rare earth sourcing.
Typhoons 7 and 8 are moving north near Japan, with heavy rain expected to continue from the Nansei Islands to eastern Japan. The Japan Meteorological Agency has warned of linear rain bands and landslides, while rail services are also affected.
The International Maritime Organization has temporarily suspended plans to evacuate vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf after a cargo ship was attacked on the Omani side of the Strait of Hormuz. Traffic through the northern and southern routes has become unstable.
A series of M7-class earthquakes struck northwestern Venezuela, bringing the death toll to 164. The USGS warned fatalities could reach as many as 100,000. The United States and other countries are providing rescue assistance.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi says Japan will aim to raise the national average minimum wage to 1,500 yen as early as possible in the first half of the 2030s. The target has been pushed back from the Ishiba administration's 2020s goal, and the government will support pay hikes for smaller firms by ensuring price pass-through in public procurement.
Around a Chinese-made USB memory device used by the Ground Self-Defense Force without noticing it was infected, at least 25 posts suspecting virus contamination were also found in reviews on online shopping sites in Japan and the US. The report shows how risks can extend to isolated-network facilities such as factories and research labs.
Former Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yuko Obuchi has told Takeshi Onodera that she intends to resign from the LDP tax panel executive post. The move is believed to stem from her opposition to a plan to set the consumption tax on food at 1% for two years, while party coordination over the merits of a tax cut continues.
Typhoon 7 is moving north south of Okinawa and is expected to approach Okinawa, the Amami region and the Pacific coast from western to eastern Japan between the 26th and 27th. Typhoon 8 is expected to weaken into a tropical depression, and warnings were issued for heavy rain, gales and landslides.
Toyota Motor said on the 25th that it will temporarily suspend operations at the Miyata plant of its production subsidiary Toyota Motor Kyushu in Miyawaka, Fukuoka Prefecture, from 4:00 p.m. the same day until the early hours of the 26th. Road closures caused by heavy rain had an impact.
Japan's Nikkei briefly hit a record on the 25th as strong Micron Technology earnings eased worries over AI demand, sending semiconductor-related stocks such as Kioxia and Advantest higher.
U.S. startup Anthropic said its AI system Claude had been misused by Alibaba. In a letter, it said there were about 25,000 fake accounts and 28 million exchanges from late April to early June.
A quake with a maximum seismic intensity of upper 6 struck Aomori Prefecture on the morning of the 25th. The epicentre was off Iwate Prefecture, at a depth of 44 kilometres, with an estimated magnitude of 7.2, and no tsunami damage is feared. The follow-up earthquake advisory did not meet the threshold, and no abnormalities were confirmed at nuclear plants or on the Shinkansen.
The Nikkei Stock Average rebounded sharply in Tokyo morning trading on the 25th, rising more than 2,400 points at one stage. After strong results from Micron Technology, buying spread across AI and semiconductor-related stocks, lifting the index back above 71,000.
The U.S. Pacific Command area has had only one U.S. aircraft carrier since January, a state that has lasted for more than five months. With deployments to the Middle East also weighing on availability, concerns are growing that deterrence in the Pacific is weakening as China expands its carrier force.
The U.S. Pacific Command's aircraft carrier presence has remained at one ship since the start of the year and has lasted for more than five months. The drawdown reflects force concentration in the Middle East and China's carrier buildup, heightening concern in Japan over a gap in Pacific defense.
OpenAI said it has completed a custom AI chip co-developed with Broadcom. The chip is designed for inference processing and will begin deployment in data centers operated by Microsoft and others as early as this year.
The Bank of Japan released a speech by Governor Ueda, saying the financial environment remains accommodative and indicating a policy of further rate hikes. It also explained the reason for raising rates at the June meeting and said it will watch the impact of the Middle East situation and other factors on the financial system.
LineShine, developed by Shenzhen's NSCS, took first place in the TOP500 supercomputer ranking, putting China back on top for the first time since 2017, or 8.5 years. Japan's Fugaku fell to ninth.
Prime Minister Li Qiang said at the Summer Davos meeting in Dalian that the competitiveness of Chinese companies comes from scientific and technological progress, not government subsidies. He also referred to the EV-related sector and Huawei, pushing back against criticism of subsidies.
At a news conference on the 24th, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said two Japanese nationals were detained by customs authorities in Dalian, Liaoning province, China, in May. The Chinese side reported suspicion of smuggling offences, and their health condition is not a concern.
It was learned that Chinese authorities detained a Japanese employee of the Chinese unit of a major Japanese heavy electrical equipment maker in Dalian in May. The case is believed to involve suspected violations of laws related to rare earth exports, heightening caution over risks to Japanese companies' China operations.
Anthropic's latest AI, Claude Mythos 5, demonstrated strong cyber capabilities and was placed under U.S. export controls. As access was halted, the importance of domestic AI is rising in Japan.
The United States has temporarily eased sanctions on Iran and allowed the sale and transport of Iranian crude. Large tankers have been seen departing from Kharg Island as shipments of stockpiled oil begin to move. Sales could generate about 1.3 trillion yen.
A heatwave has returned to Europe, with France posting its hottest day on record on the 23rd. Britain is also forecast to hit 39C, with impacts spreading to healthcare, transport, tourism and events.
Shares of U.S. SpaceX fell as much as 5% in U.S. trading on the 23rd, slipping below the $150 IPO price. Its market capitalization fell below $2 trillion, and a planned bond issue also weighed on the stock.
In US trading on the 23rd, the Nasdaq Composite briefly fell 2%, while AI-related stocks including Nvidia and Micron slumped. Renewed worries over AI monetization triggered selling that spread across global equity markets.
KDDI said its email system provided to ISPs was subject to unauthorized access, potentially leaking up to 14.22 million items of personal information. The affected systems were used by six external companies, and its own services were not impacted.
The Supreme Court's Third Petty Bench upheld a Tokyo High Court ruling ordering the dissolution of the former Unification Church and rejected the church's special appeal. It said the order was necessary and unavoidable, taking into account the harm and organized nature of aggressive donation solicitation.
The General Insurance Rating Organization of Japan on the 23rd decided to raise the reference net rate for auto insurance by an average 14.4% and overseas travel accident insurance by 40.3%. The weaker yen and higher repair costs are behind the move, which is likely to ripple through insurers' premiums.
Toyota Motor will cut overseas production by about 100,000 vehicles by around February 2027. Against the backdrop of stalled logistics for the Middle East and weaker demand from higher fuel costs, it will mainly reduce output for China and the Middle East, while stepping up some domestic production.
Japan's Nikkei average fell 2,565 yen to 69,788 on the Tokyo stock market on the 23rd, reversing after an eight-day rally. Profit-taking led the market, while buying in AI and semiconductor shares continued and Micron's results on the 24th are now in focus.
Former Fed Chair Alan Greenspan has died at 100. From his 1987 appointment to Black Monday, the 1998 rate cuts and criticism over the housing bubble, a look back at his tenure leading the Fed.
U.S. President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz was 'completely open' and that keeping it open and ending nuclear development were the focus of talks with Iran. The FT reported that more than 400 large tankers were waiting on the eastern side of the strait.
An unusually severe heatwave has hit France, with Bordeaux recording 41.9C. A red alert has been issued for 54 regions nationwide, affecting about 39 million people. Schools have closed and deaths have been reported.
The yen briefly fell to 161.93 per dollar in New York foreign exchange trading, nearing its July 2024 low. It then rebounded sharply after Japan-U.S. finance ministers' talks, but the yen remains under pressure from dollar strength on expectations of U.S. rate hikes.
US Vice President Vance said Iran had agreed to accept IAEA inspections. The US Treasury Department announced a temporary allowance for crude oil trade, while Iranian reports denied talks or any agreement.
In the foreign exchange market on the 22nd, the yen briefly fell to the 161.80s per dollar, marking its weakest level in about two years. Dollar strength has advanced on expectations of U.S. rate hikes, while caution over foreign exchange intervention has also intensified.
Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan has died by the 22nd at age 100. He won praise for steering through crises during his long tenure, but criticism remained for missing the U.S. housing bubble.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation on the 22nd. After Labour's heavy defeat in the May local elections, the return of former Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to national politics has intensified the succession race. Nominations for the leadership contest will open on July 9.
The Ukraine war is rapidly expanding unmanned warfare centred on drones and electronic warfare. North Korea and China are also absorbing lessons from the battlefield, while Japan and South Korea face challenges in their response.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said she intends to restore the lower consumption tax rate on food after two years, positioning it as a bridge to a refundable tax credit. She also discussed a call for BOJ policy management, Mercosur talks and allegations over a defamatory video.
Japan's Nikkei average rose by nearly 1,500 points at one stage on Monday and topped 72,000 for the first time, driven by buying in AI-related stocks. Government public-private investment plans and dividend reinvestment during shareholder meeting season also supported the market.
Pakistan and Qatar said the United States and Iran have agreed on a roadmap aimed at a final agreement within 60 days. They also set up a contact system to ensure safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and working-level talks are expected to continue.
On the 22nd in Tokyo trading, the Nikkei Stock Average rose above 72,000 for the first time during trading hours. Buying in AI- and semiconductor-related shares, expectations for public-private investment in physical AI, and hopes for easing tensions in the Middle East supported the market.
The United States and Iran held talks in Buergenstock in central Switzerland on ending the fighting. The focus was keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, a Lebanon ceasefire and the nuclear issue, with negotiations continuing through the night.
OpenAI will soon begin serving ads inside ChatGPT in Japan. Targeting the free version and low-cost plans, it will show image and text ads based on conversation content, with three intermediaries including Dentsu-affiliated firms.
According to Sensor Tower, ChatGPT's monthly users reached 1.1 billion, but growth has slowed. Gemini and Claude expanded, while users in Japan rose 24% to 44 million.
In Tokyo, the Nikkei average rose for a sixth straight session to close at 71,052. The Fed's hawkish tone was in focus, but AI and semiconductor shares drove the market higher, supported by signs of strength in the US economy and lower oil prices.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on the 17th that he had asked Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about Japan's involvement in military operations against Iran and was turned down. At a press conference after the G7 summit, he also expressed frustration with European countries while praising Takaichi.
U.S. President Donald Trump signed a memorandum on ending hostilities with Iran at the Palace of Versailles outside Paris. The signature was brought into force ahead of schedule and includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions relief and reconstruction funds.
In New York foreign exchange trading, the yen briefly fell to 160.79 per dollar, its lowest level in 1 year and 11 months. Following the FOMC outlook and a BOJ meeting, dollar strength driven by the Japan-US interest rate gap spread across major currencies.
A senior U.S. official outlined the full text of a 14-point memorandum aimed at ending hostilities with Iran. It includes a pledge that Iran will not obtain nuclear weapons, the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, if a final deal is reached, sanctions relief and $300 billion in reconstruction funds.
In the U.S. stock market on the 17th, the Dow briefly fell more than 200 points. After the FOMC participants' policy rate outlook shifted to one rate hike by the end of 2026, selling spread across stocks and U.S. Treasuries.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos said at an event in Paris that AI will create labor shortages. He also spoke about the goals of startup Prometheus and his vision for the space industry through Blue Origin.
Bloomberg reported the full text of a ceasefire memorandum that the United States and Iran are scheduled to formally sign on the 19th. The handling of enriched uranium will be left to a final agreement within 60 days, and the roadmap also includes sanctions relief and troop withdrawal.
Argentina cruised past Algeria with a hat-trick from Messi in the opening round of the North America World Cup. France, Norway and Austria also got off to winning starts.
At the G7 summit, European countries urged a framework that would allow advanced U.S. AI to be offered to trusted partners. The U.S. Commerce Department's order to Anthropic and differing U.S.-European views on AI regulation also came into focus.
In Tokyo trading on the morning of the 17th, the Nikkei Average rose 521.58 yen from the previous day to 69,926.08 yen. It briefly topped 70,000, with buying spreading beyond AI and semiconductor shares to construction and defense-related stocks.
Iran's World Cup squad returned to Mexico after its opening match in the North and Central America tournament, after US authorities refused to allow an overnight stay. FIFA has faced criticism for double standards, while the US stance on immigration control has also stirred concern.
SpaceX shares jumped as much as 17% in U.S. trading on the 16th, lifting its market value to fourth in the world at one point. The Cursor acquisition and the launch of options trading have helped fuel supply-demand driven price action.
The Swiss government said it plans to hold the formal signing ceremony for a memorandum aimed at ending fighting between the United States and Iran in Bürgenstock on the 19th. The handling of nuclear issues, highly enriched uranium and sanctions relief remains a key focus.
The Bank of Japan raised interest rates for the first time in six months at its Jan. 16 policy meeting, lifting the policy rate to 1%. The unusual meeting was held without Governor Kazuo Ueda, and discussions also covered yen weakness, inflation risks and the bond-buying plan.
An earthquake centered in southern Ibaraki Prefecture struck on the evening of the 16th, with northern Saitama and southern Gunma recording a maximum of lower 5 on the Japanese seismic scale. The Japan Meteorological Agency estimated the quake at magnitude 5.5 and a depth of about 50 km, and said there was no risk of a tsunami.
In Tokyo trading on the 16th, the Nikkei rose for a fourth straight session to a record closing high of 69,404. The gains were supported by the BOJ's rate hike passing without surprise, higher U.S. tech stocks and easing U.S.-Iran tensions, with the index briefly topping 70,000 intraday for the first time.
Kioxia's market capitalization briefly reached 50 trillion yen on the 16th, making it the second Japanese listed company to do so. Growing memory demand on the back of AI investment and expectations for an improved earnings outlook have lifted the stock.
The Bank of Japan decided at its meeting on the 16th to raise the policy rate from 0.75% to 1.0% and to stop reducing government bond purchases from April 2027 onward. It was wary of the risk that higher oil prices would push up prices.
Shares of U.S. space company SpaceX extended gains after listing, closing 20% higher at $192.50 on 15th from the previous week. Its market capitalization rose to about 405 trillion yen, led by buying from retail investors.
SpaceX went public, with its first-day close 19% above the offer price. While buying interest came from students to a Saudi prince, some investors stayed away over concerns about its control structure, underscoring both excitement and caution.
The United States and Iran have signed a memorandum aimed at ending hostilities, with a formal signing set for June 19 in Switzerland. The opening of the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions relief and verification measures to ensure Iran abandons nuclear development will be key issues over the next two to three weeks.
On expectations of a US-Iran agreement to end hostilities, crude oil plunged and Treasury yields fell in US financial markets on the 15th. The Dow and semiconductor stocks rose as risk appetite strengthened.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a ban on social media use for those under 16, aiming for implementation in spring 2027. Children's services are exempt, and similar restrictions are spreading in Australia, Europe and Southeast Asia.
Japan's Nikkei stock average rose 3,297 yen to a record 69,317 yen on the Tokyo market on the 15th. Reports of a US-Iran agreement to end hostilities drove oil prices and interest rates lower, while buying spread to AI-related and cyclical shares.
The United States and Iran have announced an interim agreement aimed at ending fighting. However, key issues including the release of frozen assets, transit conditions in the Strait of Hormuz and the nuclear issue remain unresolved, leaving the potential for renewed tensions during 60 days of talks.
In Tokyo trading on the 15th, the Nikkei Average extended gains, rising 3,573 points from the previous Friday to 69,593. Following the US-Iran agreement, buying spread beyond AI and semiconductors to construction, airlines and domestic demand stocks.
In Tokyo trading, the Nikkei average briefly rose more than 3,500 yen and moved into the 69,000 yen range for the first time. Broad buying followed U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of an agreement to end fighting with Iran and a drop in crude prices.
SpaceX's IPO was completed smoothly, while gains in US stocks and hopes of easing tensions with Iran are supporting Tokyo shares. The Nikkei average is being watched for a move toward 70,000, while the focus is on upcoming central bank meetings in Japan and the US and overseas investor flows.
U.S. President Trump said on social media on the 14th that he had agreed to end hostilities with Iran. Pakistan's Prime Minister Sharif also referred to a U.S.-Iran agreement in a social media post on the 15th, saying a signing ceremony would be held in Switzerland on June 19.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump held a phone call on the 14th to discuss peace in Ukraine and the Middle East. The Russian side said they agreed on a visit to Russia by US envoys, and attacks by Ukraine and the situation in Iran were also discussed.
Amazon executives had told the U.S. government in advance about the misuse risks of Anthropic's advanced AI, after Washington barred overseas access to the model. The Wall Street Journal and others reported the matter.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Britain's Prime Minister Starmer met in London and agreed to strengthen cooperation in offshore wind power as well as AI, nuclear and defense fields. They also confirmed an extension of the GCAP contract and expansion of investment in Britain.
The United States and Iran are moving closer to signing an agreement to end hostilities. Differences remain over transit through the Strait of Hormuz, the nuclear issue and sanctions relief, but Trump has said a signing could take place on the 14th.
The new party Russian Peace Forces, aimed at uniting opposition figures living outside Russia, was founded in Berlin and elected Ilya Yashin as its leader. Yashin said the party aims to win power in Russia.
The Bank of Japan will discuss a rate hike for the first time in six months at its meeting on 15-16. US Treasury Secretary Bessent has warned about the simultaneous slide in the yen and bond prices, and has urged the BOJ to respond. The moves could also spill over into selling of US Treasuries by Japanese institutional investors.
A UFC fight will be held on the South Lawn of the White House on July 14, the 80th birthday of US President Donald Trump. The unprecedented event has drawn criticism and a lawsuit, but a federal court rejected a bid to block it.
French President Emmanuel Macron will invite US President Donald Trump to a dinner at the Palace of Versailles after the G7 summit closes, aiming to encourage cooperation with Europe, though tensions between the two leaders persist.
While Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang toured China, Taiwan and South Korea in May and June, he did not visit Japan. As the company deepens cooperation with Taiwan and South Korea, Japan's presence in the AI supply chain is being called into question.
SpaceX carried out its IPO on the 12th, with shares rising 19% above the offer price. Its market capitalization reached $2.1 trillion, while fundraising also progressed in Japan, even as dependence on Musk and governance concerns emerged.
U.S. President Donald Trump posted on social media that he plans to sign an agreement to end fighting with Iran on the 14th. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also pointed to a deal within 24 hours, while mediation talks continue and Iran has still not specified when it will sign.
On the 12th, President Vladimir Putin said Russia is expanding domestic low-Earth-orbit satellites and claimed they can rival SpaceX's Starlink. He also signed a decree raising the military personnel cap to 1.51 million.
Anthropic on the 12th halted the offering of its advanced AI models Claude Mythos and Fable after the U.S. government used export controls to seek a ban on foreign use. The post-release intervention is unusual and could affect cyber defense efforts.
SpaceX's Nasdaq listing has triggered a wave of fundraising among US Big Tech firms. The massive IPOs may reverse the trend toward private ownership and restore the stock market's role in raising growth capital.
U.S. AI startup Anthropic said it will stop offering its advanced AI models 'Claude Mythos 5' and 'Claude Fable 5' after the U.S. government designated them for export controls and asked that foreign nationals be barred from using them. The company said the move was excessive and pushed back.
U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. military killed Hector Guerrero, the leader of Venezuela's Tren de Aragua criminal group. The U.S. government has designated the group a foreign terrorist organization and continues attacks on smuggling boats.
The US Justice Department has approved Paramount Skydance's $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery. The deal was cleared without conditions, with the department citing possible benefits from combining streaming operations, though a state legal challenge remains possible.
Elon Musk's net worth topped $1 trillion on the 12th, the first in the world to do so. Gains in newly listed SpaceX shares lifted his fortune. While criticism over concentrated wealth is mounting, opinion was split in New York.
A senior US official said a draft agreement to end fighting with Iran would include processing Iran's enriched uranium inside the country. The official said talks were in the final stretch, with a possible signing within days and sanctions relief tied to compliance.
Japan's Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission has ordered Nidec to submit documents under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, as it investigates accounting fraud with possible administrative action and criminal complaint in view. The findings of the third-party panel and the scale of the impact have also been revealed.
SpaceX listed on the Nasdaq market on the 12th, raising $75 billion in the biggest IPO ever worldwide. Expectations for Starlink and index inclusion drew buying, while concerns remain over profitability and governance.
Actress Tamao Nakamura died of pneumonia on June 9 at 86. She rose to fame in Daiei period dramas, was also highly regarded as a serious actress, and worked actively on stage and television.
US President Donald Trump said in talks to end fighting with Iran that an agreement document could be signed in Europe as soon as the weekend. Iran said the talks were still unresolved, underscoring a continuing gap between Washington and Tehran.
JAXA successfully launched the sixth H3 rocket on the 12th. The agency confirmed orbit insertion in the most cost-reducible 30 configuration, gaining a path to compete with U.S. SpaceX on cost. At least three launches are expected within fiscal 2026.
The World Cup North America tournament opened in Mexico City, with Group A hosts Mexico beating South Africa 2-0. South Korea also came from behind to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1 and earn three points.
JAXA successfully launched the H3 rocket in its 30 configuration on the morning of the 12th. The previous mission failed in December 2025, and the success rate rose to 75% after the eighth flight. The launch provides momentum for a full resumption of operations in fiscal 2026.
In Tokyo trading on the 12th, the Nikkei average extended gains to 66,442, up 2,225 from the previous day. Buying was concentrated in AI and semiconductor stocks, and Kioxia's market capitalization surpassed Toyota's. Supply and demand concerns also remained at higher levels.
US President Donald Trump said on the 11th that he had cancelled a planned strike on Iran and suggested a deal was near. Talks over giving up nuclear weapons and the Strait of Hormuz are continuing, but Iran has not formally accepted any agreement.
Applications from Japanese retail investors for SpaceX's IPO started on the 5th. This article explains the offering terms, brokerage procedures, lottery process, offer price and outlook for the opening price.
Israel and Iran traded attacks again, shaking the truce agreed in early April. Fighting escalated from developments in Lebanon, with both sides carrying out air strikes and missile attacks while the United States urged restraint.
In Tokyo on the 8th, the Nikkei Average fell 2,563 points to 64,024 as expectations of a US rate hike strengthened after the US jobs report, sending AI and semiconductor shares sharply lower. Concerns also grew over rising US yields and a stronger yen.
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Pyongyang on the 8th and will meet General Secretary Kim Jong Un during his visit through the 9th. Key issues include US policy, wariness over Japan-US-South Korea security cooperation, senior-level exchanges between China and North Korea, and stronger cooperation ahead of the treaty's 65th anniversary.
Israel's military said it struck military targets in western and central Iran. Explosions were reported in Tehran and elsewhere, and Iran signaled possible retaliation, calling the attack a warning. The exchange continues amid tensions involving the United States and Lebanon.
An M8.2 earthquake struck near the Philippines on the morning of the 8th, and the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami advisory for a wide area stretching from Ibaraki Prefecture to Okinawa Prefecture. It forecast tsunami waves of up to 1 meter, and the government set up an information liaison office.
China's rare earth exports to Japan have plunged, falling more than 80% year on year in March and April. Combined exports of seven rare earths were down 34% in January to April. Japanese companies are rushing to diversify supply through Australia, India and recycling.
The Israeli military said on the 7th that it had come under multiple missile attacks from Iran. The attack appeared to be retaliation for strikes on Hezbollah's headquarters in Beirut and was the first since the ceasefire. Stalled U.S.-Iran talks also came into sharper focus.
OPEC Plus volunteer countries decided to raise production quotas again in July, signaling readiness for a recovery in traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, while actual output remains sluggish and crude prices stay elevated.
The Israel Defense Forces said on the 7th that it attacked the southern suburbs of Beirut, the Lebanese capital. It said the target was Hezbollah headquarters and described the strike as retaliation for the group's rocket attack. Exchanges of fire have continued despite U.S. calls to halt the fighting.
The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force held the Fuji Firepower Exercise at East Fuji Maneuver Area, with the Type 25 High-speed Glide Missile, deployed in March, taking part. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi referred to the severe security environment in his address, and the drills were conducted with remote-island defense in mind.
Japanese stocks are set to lead declines, tracking the overnight drop in U.S. shares and growing expectations of a Federal Reserve rate hike, while the yen is seen testing its pre-intervention lows. In a separate item, Peru's presidential election heads to a runoff on the 7th.
On the 7th, the Japan Meteorological Agency said Kanto-Koshin and Tokai have entered the rainy season. Kanto-Koshin is in line with the average year and 16 days later than last year, while Tokai is one day later than average and 21 days later than last year. Rainy and cloudy days are expected to increase over the next week, and temperatures are forecast to exceed the seasonal average.
BYD's new EV battery, unveiled in March, was tested in China. It can charge to near full in about nine minutes, and the company also outlined a 1,500-kilowatt charger rollout and its broader adoption strategy.
China's Ministry of Transport said on the 6th that it carried out special enforcement against maritime traffic in waters east of Taiwan. It described the move as a countermeasure to Japan and the Philippines' agreement to start talks on maritime boundaries, while the Coast Guard also conducted a patrol on the 1st.
North Korea's Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim Jong Un inspected the sea trial of the new destroyer Kang Kon on the 4th. Kim described strengthening the navy as a key party task and also referred to last year's failed launch.
SpaceX is set to hold an IPO on June 12, with a market value expected to reach about $1.77 trillion. Against plans for Mars settlement, a lunar base and space data centers, the company is also expanding its AI ambitions, heightening concerns over Musk's control and the concentration of wealth.
The government and JICA will study energy supply networks in four ASEAN countries. The Philippines will be the top priority for support, while Vietnam will be designated a priority country, as they spend a year identifying issues in oil stockpiling systems and supply chains.
At the French Open wheelchair event, Tokito Oda won the men's singles final 6-3, 6-3 to claim a record-equaling fourth straight title in the event. He has five straight wins at the Grand Slams and nine career titles. Diede de Groot won the women's title.
The FSA will strengthen rules on structured deposits as early as this summer, tightening disclosure requirements including the risks of withdrawal restrictions. Complaints have risen as interest rates climb, and the Japanese Bankers Association is also considering a review of its guidelines.
ENEOS Holdings' crude tanker Eneos Endeavour completed unloading at the Negishi refinery in Yokohama on the 6th. It carried 2.15 million barrels of crude from Kuwait and the UAE, and became the second tanker to return to Japan after passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
In the business integration of Yamada HD and Edion, attention is on how top shareholder Nitori HD will respond. As the competition between furniture and home appliances overlaps, industry restructuring around private-label appliances and store strategies is accelerating.
It has been learned that Cai Qi, the No. 5-ranked member of the Communist Party of China's Politburo Standing Committee, is also serving as president of the Central Party School. Xinhua reported it on the 5th. Seen as a close aide to President Xi Jinping, the move is viewed as personnel reshuffling with an eye on the party congress in autumn 2027.
U.S. Central Command said it intercepted ballistic missiles fired by Iran toward Kuwait and Bahrain, and shot down drones in the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions also continue over the ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
The Nasdaq Composite fell 4% in U.S. trading on the 5th, as semiconductor stocks tumbled on concerns about AI investment. A weaker outlook from Broadcom and the May jobs report also stoked worries about higher interest rates.
SpaceX is excluding investors from mainland China and Hong Kong ahead of its Nasdaq listing. The company is also barring investors from ITAR-restricted regions, citing security and compliance risks tied to its defense technology.
Bitcoin fell to the low $59,000 range on the 5th, slipping below $60,000 for the first time in about 1 year and 8 months. Expectations for higher interest rates after a strong jobs report, as well as concerns over selling by U.S. companies, weighed on the market.
Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs said a UNESCO advisory body recommended the Asuka-Fujiwara capital ruins in central Nara Prefecture for listing as a World Cultural Heritage site. A final decision is expected at the World Heritage Committee meeting in July.
In the US May employment report, nonfarm payrolls rose by 172,000 and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.3%. Wage growth slowed, while higher gasoline prices weighed on households and complicated the Federal Reserve's policy outlook.
Anthropic and OpenAI said slowing AI development and strengthening government oversight are needed to curb the risk of AI going out of control. The US administration has also stepped up its response with an executive order calling for safety checks, while the two companies push for stronger governance ahead of planned IPOs this year.
In Tokyo trading on the 5th, the Nikkei Average fell 809 yen to 66,661, extending losses. Profit-taking hit AI and semiconductor stocks, while buying spread to lagging shares such as banks, with about 80% of TSE Prime issues rising.
US President Donald Trump warned that he would respond immediately if Iran killed US troops. As US-Iran talks to end the fighting stalled, he also referred to stepped-up sanctions on Cuba.
The Nikkei Average fell for a second straight session in Tokyo, dropping to the 66,200-yen level. Pressure from weaker U.S. semiconductor stocks and caution over Middle East tensions weighed on the market. The TOPIX briefly turned lower after opening higher.
In a podcast released on the 3rd, U.S. President Donald Trump admitted he berated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during their telephone call on the 1st. He said he was disturbed by the continued fighting in Lebanon and denied any deterioration in ties.
Iranian state broadcaster reported that the Iranian navy attacked a US warship in the Gulf of Oman. US Central Command denied the claim, and attacks and counterattacks continue in the region as US-Iran talks over nuclear development and the Strait of Hormuz remain deadlocked.
U.S. SpaceX said it plans to raise $75 billion in an IPO. The offering price is set at $135 per share, putting the company's market capitalization at about $1.77 trillion. The funds will be used to expand AI data centers and its satellite network.
The Dow fell for the first time in six sessions on U.S. stocks on the 3rd. Uncertainty over the Middle East lifted crude futures, while higher U.S. interest rates added to selling across equities.
The U.S. Trade Representative has proposed additional tariffs of up to 12.5% on 60 countries and regions, including Japan, saying measures against forced labor are insufficient. A hearing will be held in July to review the scope and possible reductions.
US Central Command said the retaliatory attack by Iran's Revolutionary Guard targeting the US Navy's Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain failed. Missiles aimed at Bahrain and Kuwait did not reach their targets after being intercepted or breaking up in the air, and the US side also attacked Iranian sites.
In Tokyo trading on the 3rd, the Nikkei rebounded sharply by 1,718 points to 68,452, topping 68,000 intraday for the first time. Buying spread to Kioxia, semiconductor-related shares, automakers and bank stocks.
In Tokyo foreign exchange trading on the 3rd, the yen briefly fell to the 160s per dollar. Dollar buying in times of crisis gained momentum amid uncertainty over the Middle East, while higher crude prices and expectations of a wider Japan-U.S. interest rate gap also weighed on the yen.
Gold made up 27% of global central bank foreign exchange reserves, surpassing U.S. Treasurys for the first time in about 30 years. Net selling by China and others, along with U.S. sanctions and fiscal concerns, is driving a broader move toward diversification.
Typhoon No. 6 made landfall in southern Wakayama Prefecture around 4:30 a.m. on the 3rd, and the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a Level 5 special flood warning for the Kozagawa River for the first time. A linear rain band could form over the Tokyo metropolitan area, with transport disruptions and warnings of heavy-rain disasters continuing.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will decide within the month whether to adopt a plan to set the consumption tax rate on food items at 1% from April 2027. The economy ministry says cash register upgrades could be handled in about six months, with comparison to a 0% plan and securing funding in focus.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued its first Level 4 warnings for the Hirowatari and Satokoya rivers in Miyazaki Prefecture and western Kochi Prefecture as Typhoon 6 brought heavy rain. Heavy rain is expected to continue from western to eastern Japan, affecting transport and schools.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hard line toward Lebanon is complicating US-Iran talks. President Trump has called for the attacks to stop, and Iran has suspended contact with the United States.
US startup Anthropic has filed for a US listing, submitting an S-1 confidentially and intensifying expectations that three major AI companies could go public this year. A market value above $1 trillion and fundraising of about $190 billion are also in view.
Japan's Fair Trade Commission on the 2nd raided five major staffing firms on suspicion of violating antitrust law. The focus is on alleged unfair coordination over staffing fee increases since fiscal 2023 and the rise in margin ratios.
U.S. President Donald Trump spoke by phone with Prime Minister Netanyahu and stressed that talks with Iran are continuing. Exchanges between Iran and Israel over attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon continued, clouding the outlook for ceasefire talks.
Kioxia Holdings' market capitalisation briefly topped 40 trillion yen in Tokyo trading on the 2nd. Investors focused on the company's business strategy and dividend policy at an investor briefing, while a Goldman target price hike also supported buying.
Fueled by rising fuel prices linked to the Middle East crisis, global EV sales surged in March and April. Thirty-seven countries set monthly records and 38 countries saw EVs exceed 10% of new-car sales. Sales fell in the United States and China, but rose sharply elsewhere.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi warned the United States and Israel they would be responsible for ceasefire violations. Tasnim reported that US-Iran talks had been suspended, while Trump said the talks were continuing.
U.S. AI startup Anthropic said it has filed for an IPO with the SEC. Market expectations for a 2026 listing have strengthened, with the company seen aiming for a market capitalization of more than $1 trillion at the time of listing.
SoftBank Group Chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son said he will not be swayed by the company reaching the top market capitalisation in Japan. He also outlined plans to invest up to 75 billion euros in an AI data centre in France, with full-scale operations expected by the end of 2030.
On the 1st, the Nikkei Stock Average briefly rose above 67,000 for the first time and closed at a record high. Buying of AI-related stocks has spread to laggards, drawing funds into Murata Manufacturing, TDK and Recruit, among others.
Nvidia has unveiled its new AI PC chip, NVIDIA RTX Spark, for Windows machines. Set for release by Dell and HP in autumn 2026, it aims to speed AI processing on devices.
SoftBank Group's market capitalisation has overtaken Toyota Motor's, marking the first change in Japan's No. 1 ranking in about 22 years. Expectations for AI investment have lifted shares, with related stocks also drawing funds.
Typhoon No. 6 is moving north south of Naha and is expected to approach Okinawa and Amami. The Japan Meteorological Agency has warned of heavy rain, strong winds, high waves and landslides in western and eastern Japan, while airline operations are already being affected.
On the Tokyo stock market on the 1st, the Nikkei Average hit an intraday high at the morning close. Buying concentrated in AI-related names such as SoftBank Group and Kioxia, as well as MLCC stocks, while TOPIX fell, leaving the broader rally limited.
A federal court in Washington ordered President Trump's name removed from the Kennedy Center, citing problems with the renaming process. It also reported on the board's authority, last December's renaming decision and backlash.
Arashi held its final concert at Tokyo Dome on the 31st, ending 26-and-a-half years of activity. It concluded a 15-show tour across five cities and 15 performances, with members expressing their gratitude. The article also covers the group's path since its debut and the former Johnny's scandal.
Israeli Defence Minister Katz said Israel had seized the strategic Beaufort position in south Lebanon, its first hold on the site in 26 years. Israel is expanding military operations against Hezbollah, raising concern that ceasefire talks could be affected.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi met Philippine Defense Minister Teodoro in Singapore and broadly agreed to move quickly on exporting Abukuma-class destroyers. They will also discuss exports of TC90 training aircraft and Type 88 surface-to-ship guided missiles.
U.S. President Donald Trump has sought specific wording on the disposal of highly enriched uranium in a proposed agreement aimed at ending the fighting with Iran, Axios reported. U.S. Central Command said it stopped a Gambia-flagged vessel in the Gulf of Oman.
Typhoon 6 moved north south of Okinawa on the 31st. It is expected to approach Okinawa and Amami with strong intensity around June 1-2 and may move closer to western and eastern Japan around the 3rd. The Japan Meteorological Agency urged caution over heavy rain, violent winds and high waves.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi spoke at the Asia Security Conference in Singapore, rebutting China's criticism of Japan's 'new militarism'. He also addressed the planned revision of three security documents, defense cooperation with other countries and the significance of arms exports.
Artists are withdrawing from the 'Freedom 250' concert marking the 250th anniversary of the United States amid concerns over its political tone. President Trump criticised the performers on social media and said he intended to speak instead.
SoftBank Group will invest up to 14 trillion yen in France to develop data centers that will become its first AI hub in Europe. The initial investment is 45 billion euros, and Masayoshi Son will announce the plan at a French government event.
MLB has proposed a system with upper and lower payroll limits, prompting opposition from the players union. The current agreement expires on Dec. 1, and labor tensions are intensifying toward the 2027 season.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi met with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Singapore to discuss joint missile development and production, as well as an information-sharing framework. They also confirmed efforts to strengthen Japan-US deterrence and maintain US engagement in the Indo-Pacific.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth voiced concern at the Shangri-La Dialogue over China's military buildup and expanding military activities. China skipped sending its defense minister, and US-China security talks did not materialize, underscoring deep mistrust.
PPIH will launch its low-cost PB 'EDRP' with black-and-white packaging in June. The lineup will include 26 items, including 500 ml water priced at 40 yen, and cut costs by up to about 7%. As conditions worsen in the Middle East, retailers are also reviewing packaging.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used a Shangri-La Dialogue speech to reject hegemony by China and others and call for deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. He urged allies, including Japan, to share responsibilities and increase defense spending.
SpaceX will begin investor briefings as early as June 4 ahead of a mid-June IPO. It is adjusting its valuation to around $1.8 trillion and is expected to raise as much as $75 billion. Governance concerns have also emerged.
Against the backdrop of speculation over SpaceX's IPO, retail investor money is accelerating into space-related ETFs. The Tema Space Innovators ETF's net assets have risen 8.5 times from the end of April, with the move spilling over into related stocks.
President Vladimir Putin said he could not confirm the origin of a Russian drone crash in eastern Romania. He said civilians were injured in a NATO member state and also referred to Armenia’s EAEU exit issue.
U.S. President Donald Trump held a meeting at the White House before making a final decision on an agreement aimed at ending fighting with Iran. A wide gap remains with Iran over the nuclear issue, the Strait of Hormuz and the handling of frozen assets.
The Nikkei Stock Average on the 29th hit a record high of 66,329, up 1,636 yen from the previous day. Buying of AI and semiconductor-related stocks led the market, while trading value on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market also reached a record.
Typhoon No. 6 moved northward east of the Philippines on the 29th. The Japan Meteorological Agency warned it would approach Okinawa and Amami with strong intensity on June 1-2, raising concern over heavy rain, storm surges and heavy rain from Kyushu to Kanto.
OpenAI has provided access to cyber-focused AI in Japan and signed a memorandum of cooperation with AISI. It will first be offered to three banks - Mitsubishi UFJ, Sumitomo Mitsui and Mizuho - as competition with Anthropic becomes even more apparent.
A bill to promote the reuse of solar panels was enacted at a House of Councillors plenary session on the 29th. It requires large operators to submit disposal plans, while the government advances preparations for recycling systems to handle a future surge in waste.
Anthropic said it will make technology with performance close to its AI model 'Claude Mythos', which had been kept private because of its cyberattack capability, available to the public within weeks. It also unveiled the new 'Opus 4.8' model, and its valuation reached 965 billion dollars.
In Tokyo on the 29th, the Nikkei rebounded 1,203.45 yen to 65,896.57 and hit a record high. US shares rose on expectations of progress in US-Iran talks, while a sharp rally in MLCC-related stocks lifted the market.
In the Tokyo stock market on the 29th, the Nikkei rebounded and traded around 65,900 yen, up 1,200 yen from the previous day. US stocks rose on hopes for a ceasefire between the US and Iran, and buying spread across AI and semiconductor shares.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications released preliminary figures from the 2025 census, showing Japan's total population at 123,049,524. The figure fell 2.5% from the 2020 census, and the decline widened. The number of households hit a record high.
The US Treasury Department is moving ahead with plans for a new $250 bill featuring US President Donald Trump’s portrait and signature. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent acknowledged the plan, while the bill remains stalled in a House committee.
A US government official said talks between the United States and Iran had reached a tentative agreement and were awaiting approval from President Trump. The two sides are still coordinating over a proposed memorandum that would extend the truce by 60 days and include talks on Iran's nuclear issue.
The European Commission said it will fine China-based e-commerce site Temu 200 million euros after judging that it failed to properly assess the risk of illegal goods being sold on its platform and breached the EU's Digital Services Act.
Reuters reported that the U.S. military has struck a drone control site in Bandar Abbas in southern Iran again. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps retaliated by attacking a U.S. military base, and the exchange between the two countries is continuing.
Nippon Paint HD and US-based Sherwin-Williams made a takeover offer to Akzo Nobel at 73 euros per share, but it was rejected on the 27th. The focus is on whether the bid will be raised and how businesses would be split if the deal proceeds.
The attorneys general of New York and New Jersey said they have launched an investigation into the high cost of tickets for the World Cup, which opens next month, and asked FIFA to provide information on ticket sales.
SpaceX has released its S-1, with expectations of a $75 billion Nasdaq listing on June 12, while growing distrust of AI in the U.S. and resistance to data centers are emerging as headwinds for the business.
Iranian state television reported that a draft memorandum with the United States would keep control of the Strait of Hormuz even after navigation resumes. Iran is also moving to press for the release of frozen assets and to delay nuclear talks, underscoring its effort to limit concessions in talks with Washington.
Around 30 companies, including Asahi Kasei, are considering investing in SoftBank's new homegrown AI company. About 10 firms may invest first in June as the venture targets a large-scale model by 2027 and a data centre in Sakai.
On Trump tariff refunds, U.S. CBP said the total value of claims accepted in a month exceeded $85 billion including interest. While a dedicated system has sped up the process, claim rejections and payment holds are also mounting.
Iran's state broadcaster said it had obtained a draft memorandum aimed at ending fighting with the United States. The draft concerns control of passage through the Strait of Hormuz and lifting a maritime blockade, which the White House called fabricated.
In SpaceX's IPO, Japanese investors are expected to be able to apply through Mizuho Securities, Rakuten Securities and SBI Securities. The company is targeting a market value of $1.75 trillion, and Rakuten and SBI will handle a U.S. stock IPO for the first time.
Japan Airlines said a cabin attendant's drinking was discovered just before duty, delaying a Hiroshima-Haneda flight by about 40 minutes. A violation of Aviation Act-based operating regulations was also found, and the company had another captain drinking incident in August.
Ukraine is regaining the initiative on the front line by attacking supply hubs inside Russia with medium-range drones. President Zelenskiy said about 590 square kilometers had been liberated since the start of the year.
Ken Paxton, an ally of Trump, won the runoff to decide the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate race in Texas. He will face Democrat James Talarico in the November general election.
The Nikkei rebounded in Tokyo trading on the 27th and briefly topped 66,000 yen for the first time intraday. Continued gains in US semiconductor stocks and buying in AI-related shares lifted Kioxia and semiconductor equipment stocks.
In Tokyo trading on the morning of the 27th, the Nikkei Stock Average rebounded, briefly rising more than 1,400 yen to top 66,000 for the first time. Buying spread to AI and semiconductor-related stocks after U.S. shares rose the previous day.
Hopes for progress in US-Iran truce talks lifted US stocks and Treasuries. The S&P 500 hit a high for the first time in about two weeks, while oil and gold fell. Uncertainty remains over whether a deal can be reached.
U.S. President Donald Trump's stock trading in January-March 2026 topped 3,700 transactions, 10 times the level a year earlier. The trades included Nvidia and other stocks with close ties to the administration, intensifying concerns over self-dealing.
Micron Technology's market capitalisation topped $1 trillion on the 26th for the first time, as memory stocks rose on stronger demand for AI data centres and UBS's higher target price also spurred buying.
SoftBank Group shares have hit record highs for consecutive days on OpenAI IPO speculation and stronger Arm shares. Its market capitalisation has narrowed the gap with Toyota to just over 2 trillion yen, with some seeing 10,000 yen in sight.
In U.S.-Iran talks, a proposal has emerged that includes a 60-day ceasefire extension and mine clearing in the Strait of Hormuz. Sanctions relief and nuclear talks are also in view, but the outlook for negotiations remains uncertain.
The Yomiuri Giants said on the 26th that manager Shinnosuke Abe resigned effective the same day after being arrested in the act by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department on suspicion of assaulting his daughter. Offensive chief coach Hideki Hashigami will serve as acting manager from interleague play.
It has emerged that Chinese President Xi Jinping criticized Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during his Nov. 14-15 meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump defended Takaichi and later called her to relay the exchange.
Toshifumi Suzuki reshaped retail by prioritizing an outsider's perspective, founding York Seven, promoting joint delivery and creating Seven Bank. The story also looks back at his work with Masatoshi Ito and the challenges after his 2016 departure.
In Tokyo morning trading on the 25th, the Nikkei average briefly rose more than 2,000 points and reached the 65,000s for the first time during trading. Semiconductor stocks rallied in the US market, lifting related shares and SoftBank Group.
The Financial Times reported that the U.S. defense secretary told Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi that delivery of Tomahawk missiles to Japan could be delayed by up to two years. The backdrop is reduced stockpiles after operations against Iran.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he would not rush a deal in ceasefire talks with Iran and underscored that he would not compromise on preventing nuclear weapons development. While both sides have spoken of progress, major gaps remain over the nuclear issue and the Strait of Hormuz.
China successfully launched the crewed spacecraft Shenzhou 23 on the night of the 24th, putting a Hong Kong-born astronaut aboard for the first time and highlighting crew rotation at Tiangong, lunar exploration plans and expanding international cooperation.
Enecoat Technologies, spun out of Kyoto University, aims to commercialize space-use perovskite solar cells by 2035. Selected for JAXA's Space Strategy Fund project, it will advance space-environment durability with support capped at 200 million yen.
The 87th Oaks was held on the 24th at Tokyo Racecourse, where Juuryoku Piero, ridden by Seina Imamura, won. It was the first Grade 1 victory by a female jockey based in the central racing circuit, and Imamura claimed her first win in her third Grade 1 ride.
A shooting near the White House in Washington on the 23rd left the suspect dead after a response by the U.S. Secret Service. President Trump was inside the White House at the time and there was no major impact on his duties.
US President Donald Trump said a deal to end fighting with Iran would be announced soon. He said he had spoken by phone with leaders of Middle Eastern countries, while Iran is also making final adjustments to the memorandum.
US and British newspapers reported that the United States and Iran are moving closer to an agreement to extend the ceasefire by 60 days. Talks include the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the handling of highly enriched uranium and a possible easing of US sanctions.
US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said on the 22nd that she will resign to support her husband, who has been diagnosed with cancer. She will step down on June 30, and Deputy Director Lucas will serve as acting chief for now. The report also said she differed with the administration over Iran policy.
Taiwan National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu said on X on the 23rd that more than 100 Chinese military vessels have been deployed near the first island chain around Okinawa and Taiwan. He said the deployment has continued after the U.S.-China summit.
A gas explosion occurred at a coal mine in Changzhi, Shanxi province, China, on the night of the 22nd, killing 90 workers and others. President Xi Jinping ordered rescue efforts and an investigation into the cause. Executives at the operating company have been detained, and the company had received administrative penalties in 2025.
Anthropic said testing with its AI model Mythos uncovered more than 10,000 high-risk vulnerabilities. The findings highlight the need to speed up patching and streamline verification procedures.
Ahead of the U.S. midterm elections in November, tensions are rising between President Donald Trump and Senate Republican leaders. Backlash over a Justice Department relief fund and discontent over candidate support led to a delay in a vote on a spending bill.
As restrictions on traffic through the Strait of Hormuz persist, global crude inventories are expected to fall below 100 days of demand by the end of May. While coordinated IEA releases and conservation measures continue in many countries, Japan is also being criticised for a delayed response.
US President Donald Trump said talks to end the fighting with Iran would 'soon be settled'. Secretary of State Rubio signaled some progress, while Pakistan and Qatar continue mediation.
SpaceX successfully launched the next-generation version of its Starship rocket from Starbase, Texas, on the 22nd. The third-generation vehicle is designed to carry more than four times the payload of Falcon 9.
Fed Chairman Warsh was sworn in at the White House on the 22nd and pledged a reform-minded approach. Trump stressed respect for the Fed's independence, while inflation restraint, balance sheet reduction and a review of communications are set to be key issues ahead.
Meta laid off about 8,000 employees and halted plans to hire 6,000 more. While prioritizing AI investment, the company is facing growing internal backlash over software that collects PC activity data.
A senior U.S. DEA official said fentanyl is being smuggled into the United States via Japan. The DEA signed a memorandum of understanding with the Japan Coast Guard to strengthen anti-smuggling efforts through information sharing.
U.S. President Donald Trump delayed signing an executive order on AI safety measures, citing the impact on technological competition with China. The move comes amid shifting regulatory views داخل the administration and growing calls for regulation from supporters.
The Nikkei Stock Average rose 1,654.93 points from the previous day to 63,339.07 on the 22nd, extending gains and setting a record closing high. Expectations of an end to fighting between the US and Iran, firmer US technology stocks and gains in AI-related shares lifted the market.
Following a capsize accident off Henoko in Nago, Okinawa, that killed two students, MEXT said Doshisha International High School's safety management was 'extremely inappropriate' and found bias in its educational content, issuing guidance to the Doshisha school corporation.
US-Iran talks remain deadlocked over nuclear issues and control of the Strait of Hormuz. While reviewing a Pakistan-mediated proposal, both sides remain firm on highly enriched uranium and passage management.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average hit a record high on the 21st for the first time in three months. AI-linked and cyclical stocks led the advance, but gains remained concentrated in a narrow group of names, while breadth in the S&P 500 also stayed limited.
The US military said it will deploy the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Nimitz to the Caribbean. The Justice Department indicted Raul Castro and five others, as the Trump administration steps up pressure on Cuba through military force and legal action.
SpaceX filed its IPO prospectus and was valued at $2 trillion. OpenAI and Anthropic are also preparing listings, raising the prospect of heavy funding from three giant U.S. startups and further concentration in tech stocks.
Nvidia projected sales of $91 billion for the May-July 2026 quarter, beating market forecasts. The company also posted record quarterly profit in February-April, but rising competition from Google and others, along with uncertainty in China, weighed on the stock.
SpaceX’s IPO prospectus details plans for AI satellite networks, space data centers, lunar manufacturing and Mars settlement, while outlining Musk’s stock award conditions and the company’s track record.
Nvidia forecast May-July 2026 sales of $91 billion, beating market estimates. The company reported sharp gains in April-quarter revenue and net profit and announced an additional $80 billion buyback.
Trump said talks aimed at easing the US-Iran confrontation are in the final stage and warned of renewed strikes if Iran's response falls short. Gaps remain over nuclear development as mediation efforts continue.
The Wall Street Journal said OpenAI is preparing to file for a US IPO as soon as the 22nd. It is aiming for a September listing, with a recent valuation of $852 billion and a target of more than $1 trillion in the IPO.
Chinese authorities have added some Nvidia gaming semiconductors to an import ban list. Jensen Huang joined President Donald Trump on a China visit, but semiconductor tensions between the US and China remain unresolved.
Nvidia is expected to report fiscal February-April 2026 results on the 20th, with revenue forecast at $78.9 billion and net profit at $42.4 billion. The market is watching whether gross margin can stay at 75% and how China sales of H200 chips develop.
The Nikkei Average fell 786 points by the midday close in Tokyo on the 20th, slipping below 60,000. AI-related, real estate and construction shares were sold on rising yields, with attention now turning to Nvidia earnings.
Google announced consumer AI agent features that can handle search, email and reservations. Gemini Spark and always-on search will roll out from this summer, while a new model, Gemini 3.5 Flash, was also unveiled.
China's Xi Jinping will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing. The two sides are set to discuss energy cooperation, the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, Taiwan and the Ukraine war, while underscoring their stance toward the United States.
In early May, a surge in Ukrainian drone attacks disrupted civilian life and Victory Day events in Russia. The story tracks damage in Cheboksary, Moscow communications curbs and shifting public sentiment.
Xi Jinping reportedly told Donald Trump at their Nov. 14-15 summit that Vladimir Putin may eventually regret invading Ukraine, FT reported. China and the U.S. declined to comment.
Japan's Fair Trade Commission raided nine construction firms and sites linked to JRTT on suspicion of bid-rigging in Hokkaido Shinkansen track-laying work. The Sapporo extension's total cost is now seen topping 3 trillion yen.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met President Lee Jae-myung in Andong on the 19th and agreed to build a cooperative framework, including joint stockpiling, for crude oil procurement amid turmoil in the Middle East.
At the Japan-South Korea summit on the 19th, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung are expected to agree on cooperation, including joint crude oil reserves. Using Japan-led “Power Asia,” the talks will also cover support for Southeast Asia and coordination on China.
Amid mounting Middle East tensions, shortages of designated garbage bags, material changes, and bidding difficulties are spreading across municipalities. Incineration facilities are also feeling the impact of surging heavy oil prices and are being forced to respond.
OpenAI has launched a feature in the U.S. that links ChatGPT with financial accounts at banks and brokerages. Available to $200-a-month users, it improves convenience for household finance advice while also heightening concerns about data leak risks.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he would postpone the Iran strike planned for the 19th. He explained that leaders from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE had asked him to hold off, and he showed a willingness to continue talks over a nuclear deal.
NextEra Energy has agreed to acquire Dominion Energy for about $67 billion. As AI drives a surge in power demand, the merged company plans annual capital expenditure of $59 billion and 225 to 260 gigawatts of generation capacity by 2032.
An Ebola hemorrhagic fever outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has killed about 100 people. The Bundibugyo strain has been detected, and the WHO has declared an international emergency. With no vaccine or treatment, concern is growing.
After the U.S.-China summit, Iran hardened its stance in talks with the United States. While moving to manage shipping and collect transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz, Trump hinted at another strike. Rising oil prices and the impact on the midterms are now in focus.
Ukraine's Finance Minister Marchenko said the EU's interest-free loan is expected to begin in early June. The country plans to receive 90 billion euros by 2027 to prevent a funding shortfall. The IMF estimates 135 billion euros will be needed over the next two years.
After Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said she was considering a supplementary budget for fiscal 2026, Japanese government bonds were sold off. The 10-year yield briefly hit 2.8%, a 29.5-year high, while the 30-year and 40-year yields also set new records.
On the 18th in Tokyo, the Nikkei fell 593 points, extending its decline. As long-term rates rose in Japan and the U.S., profit-taking spread across AI and semiconductor stocks. Kioxia surged to its daily limit on upbeat earnings guidance.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said she will consider fiscal measures with an eye toward compiling the FY2026 supplementary budget. Taking into account summer electricity and gas bill support and a possible funding shortfall for gasoline subsidies, a decision on whether to draw up the budget will be made within the month.
In Japan's bond market on the 18th, the new 10-year government bond yield briefly rose to 2.8%, its highest level since October 1996. Higher oil prices, inflation concerns, and expectations of a supplemental budget fueled selling, while the 30-year bond yield also hit a record high.
The White House released a summary of the U.S.-China summit held in Beijing on the 14th and 15th. It highlighted expanded Chinese purchases of aircraft and farm products, but made no mention of Taiwan or AI.
U.S. President Donald Trump pressed Iran for concessions in talks and hinted at renewed attacks, increasing pressure. U.S.-Iran negotiations over the nuclear issue remain stalled, and military options are expected to be discussed with the security team on the 19th.
Ukrainian forces carried out a major attack near Moscow on the 16th and 17th, and President Zelensky described it as retaliation for attacks on Kyiv. Russia said it shot down more than 1,000 drones, as the exchange of strikes intensifies.
Japanese companies are expanding rare earth supply chains into Southeast Asia to reduce dependence on China. Sumitomo Metal Mining will boost scandium production by 20% using Philippine raw materials, while Sojitz will work with Lynas on new mine development in Vietnam and Malaysia.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has urged the United States to continue arms sales to Taiwan. As President Trump’s remarks cast uncertainty over future support, he appealed for deterrence against China and the need to maintain regional peace.
South Korea’s presidential office said it will welcome Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s visit on the 19th-20th with treatment equivalent to a state guest. She will meet President Lee Jae-myung in Andong on the 19th, with a joint press conference and a visit to Hahoe Village also planned.
Vaccination rates are falling worldwide, driving a renewed spread of infectious diseases, especially measles. In the U.S. and Japan, cases are rising, and maintaining herd immunity is becoming harder across regions.
Eurovision's final was held in Vienna on the 16th, and Bulgaria won for the first time. In protest of Israel's participation, five European countries announced a boycott, and demonstrations also broke out around the venue.
In a murder robbery case in Kaminokawa, Tochigi Prefecture, the Shimotsuke Police Station investigation team arrested a man in his 20s believed to be the ringleader at Haneda Airport. Four 16-year-old boys had already been arrested, bringing the total to five.
Tohoku Electric Power has brought the reactor at Onagawa Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2 to a cold shutdown for inspection. Steam containing radioactive material was generated in the turbine building, and no external leak has been confirmed.
China's Ministry of Commerce announced a general agreement with the United States to cut mutual tariffs. It will set up trade and investment committees to discuss concrete measures, including aircraft and agricultural products.
On the 16th, the Israeli military said it had killed Hamas military chief Izz al-Haddad in Gaza. Netanyahu had acknowledged the airstrike on the 15th, as attacks continue and military pressure intensifies despite the ceasefire.
A bomb threat at the University of Tokyo’s May Festival led organizers to cancel all events on the 16th. A lecture by Sohei Kamiya had been planned, and the festival will proceed on the 17th after safety checks.
The G7 will hold a finance ministers' and central bank governors' meeting in Paris on the 18th and 19th. They will discuss countermeasures against AI-enabled cyberattacks and steps to stabilize oil prices amid the Middle East situation, aiming to finalize a joint statement.
After the U.S.-China summit, foreign media repeatedly reported that Xi Jinping appeared to have the upper hand. The Taiwan issue, Boeing aircraft purchases, and the outlook for the trade truce after this fall are also key points.
The U.S. 30-year Treasury yield rose above 5.1%, while the 10-year yield also hit a year-high. Middle East tensions, inflation concerns, and U.S. fiscal worries are behind the move, and U.S. stocks now look as expensive as they have since 2002.
SpaceX is expected to announce its listing plan ahead of a June IPO. Musk would hold 80% of the voting rights through dual-class shares, making him effectively impossible to remove.
President Trump said 20 years would be enough if Iran follows a nuclear freeze, and he named the removal of highly enriched uranium as a condition. After meeting Xi Jinping, he also addressed Iran policy and sanctions on Chinese companies.
The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) of the UAE will launch a new crude oil pipeline in 2027. Against concerns over Iran's prolonged de facto control of the Strait of Hormuz, the company is accelerating the expansion of bypass exports via Fujairah.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he discussed Taiwan and arms sales with Xi Jinping and would soon decide on additional arms sales to Taiwan. He also outlined the summit, China schedule, and Iran sanctions.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping ended two days of talks and agreed to move toward a framework for trade and investment discussions. The purchase of 200 Boeing jets and agricultural deals also drew attention.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a second day of talks at Zhongnanhai in Beijing on the 15th. Trade and Taiwan were the main issues, and Trump is expected to return home after the meeting.
NOAA says the chance of a super El Niño in the second half of 2026 is 37%. Concerns are rising over its impact on food supply and the risk of record global temperatures in 2027.
Driven by generative AI demand, the five major memory makers are expected to post combined net profit of 63 trillion yen this fiscal year. Kioxia’s earnings on the 15th will spotlight January–March results and the outlook for future demand.
At the U.S.-China summit, the U.S. government is using Nvidia chip exports and Boeing orders as bargaining chips. China is also pressuring U.S. companies through regulation, intensifying the rivalry between the two countries.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Beijing for the first time in nine years to discuss Taiwan, trade, and Iran. The talks lasted about 2 hours and 15 minutes, with a working lunch planned for the 15th.
On the Tokyo stock market on the 14th, the Nikkei Average fell for the first time in three days. Furukawa's earnings missed expectations, and selling spread to AI-related stocks. Concerns over rising interest rates also weighed on the market.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Beijing for the first time in nine years, discussing trade talks, Taiwan, and the situation in Iran. The two sides are also looking to continue trade negotiations based on the results of ministerial-level talks.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang suddenly joined President Donald Trump on his trip to China. As Nvidia seeks a path for chip exports to China, U.S.-China tensions over the AI supply chain and tighter export controls continue to escalate.
The U.S. Senate approved former Governor Kevin Warsh as the next Fed chair. Warsh will begin attending FOMC meetings as chair in June and focus on curbing inflation, shrinking the balance sheet, and reviewing Fed communications.
On the 13th, the Nikkei hit a record high, rising 529 yen to 63,272 yen in Tokyo trading. Stronger-than-expected U.S. CPI and higher oil prices drove a shift from AI and semiconductor stocks into value stocks such as trading companies and financials.
In the domestic bond market on the 13th, the yield on newly issued 10-year government bonds briefly rose to 2.6%, the highest since May 1997. Higher crude oil prices, fiscal concerns, and rising U.S. yields also spilled over into Japan.
Amazon and Alphabet are booking unrealized gains from investments in AI startups while cloud sales also grow, reinforcing a circular structure. Capital spending and bond issuance by US tech giants are expanding, and concerns over overheating AI demand are rising.
Before meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping, U.S. President Donald Trump stressed that China’s help was not needed on the Iran issue. The U.S.-China summit is scheduled for the 14th and 15th, while Iran warned that if it is attacked again, it may raise uranium enrichment to 90%.
DeNA announced that Chairperson Tomoko Namba will return as president on June 27, while President Shingo Okamura will become chairman with representative authority. After 15 years, Namba will again serve as president and CEO, leading organizational change and growth strategy.
NSK and NTN announced plans to integrate management by establishing a joint holding company in October 2027. Based on Nikkei estimates of global market share, the combined company is expected to lead in bearings, with the integration ratio to be decided later.
U.S. President Donald Trump strongly criticized Iran's response and expressed concern about the future of the ceasefire. While the U.S. is seeking conditions over the nuclear issue, Iran denies any room for negotiation on uranium enrichment, and the talks are bogged down.
In response to high crude oil prices, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked the public to resume working from home, avoid overseas travel for one year, and curb gold purchases. The aim is to save fuel and reduce foreign currency outflows.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Taiwan arms sales will be on the agenda at his meeting with President Xi Jinping in Beijing. The focus is also on consistency with U.S.-Taiwan policy and the impact of delayed weapons deliveries.
Calbee will gradually switch 14 flagship products, including potato chips, to black-and-white packaging from shipments on the 25th due to a printing ink shortage linked to the Middle East crisis. Color inks are in short supply amid rising crude oil prices and naphtha shortages.
After a case that may have led to a personal information leak at Money Forward, the bank-linking service outage has exceeded 10 days. The restart timing remains unclear, and the company is considering compensation for users.
Alphabet is preparing its first yen-denominated bond issuance. The deal is expected to be worth several hundred billion yen, as the company diversifies funding sources amid expanding AI investment. The move is also drawing attention for its potential to broaden the yen bond market following Berkshire.
Iran's state news agency reported that it sent its response to the U.S. ceasefire proposal via Pakistan. U.S. President Trump reacted by saying it was unacceptable, and the negotiations remain deadlocked.
Toyota Motor's operating profit for the fiscal year ending March 2026 fell 21% from the previous year to 3.7662 trillion yen. Even under pressure from U.S. tariffs, it maintained a high level, and the response to Middle East tensions and supply chain uncertainty will be a key focus this fiscal year.
Sony Semiconductor Solutions announced on the 8th that it is considering establishing a joint venture subsidiary with TSMC to cooperate in the production and development of next-generation image sensors. Sony will hold a majority stake, and the company is also considering setting up a production line inside its factory in Koshi City, Kumamoto Prefecture.
Nintendo will raise the domestic price of the Nintendo Switch 2 to 59,980 yen and also increase prices overseas starting September 1. Driven by soaring DRAM costs, it expects lower profit in the fiscal year ending March 2027, while forecasting higher operating profit.
In the UK’s local elections, Labour lost a large number of seats while Reform Party made major gains. The Conservatives also fell back, and calls for Prime Minister Starmer to resign emerged, though he signaled his intention to stay on.
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