China and Japan differ on whether their foreign ministers spoke last week at ASEAN Japan and China are giving conflicting accounts about whether their foreign ministers briefly spoke last week The Independent UK · Jul 27
Can Japan avoid a Liz Truss-style shock as its PM embarks on a giant spending spree? Sanae Takaichi’s blueprint to inject £1.7tn and double economic growth leaves many investors fearful The Guardian - UK · Jul 25
Japan to test rare-earth mining 6 km underwater Japan will conduct extensive rare earth mining tests in February. These tests follow successful sample recovery from deep Pacific seabed locations. The nation seeks to reduce reliance on China for critical minerals. Traces of yttrium, gadolinium and dysprosium were found in recovered seabed material. This initiative aims to bolster Japan's… The Economic Times · Jul 24
Despite Tokyo's push for a 4-day week for better work-life balance, Japan’s prime minister boasts sleeping just ‘zero to three’ hours a night As workers push for better work-life balance and four-day workweeks, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is moving in the opposite direction. Fortune · Jul 23
The $39 trillion U.S. national debt isn’t as high as Japan’s and Singapore’s relative to economy size—and yet it’s still worse somehow “Japan’s debt dynamics are fundamentally different from those of the United States … Japan is the world’s largest creditor nation. The U.S. is the world’s largest debtor.” Fortune · Jul 23
'Getting 0-3 hours of sleep since becoming prime minister': Japan PM Takaichi's post triggers debate A social media post by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about managing a heavy workload with "little to no sleep" has sparked debate in the country, with politicians from both the ruling party and the opposition questioning whether such a work style and public messaging are appropriate for the nation's… The Times of India · Jul 22
Japan PM’s latest attempt to emulate Margaret Thatcher triggers cross-party backlash Sanae Takaichi claimed she was surviving on ‘zero to three’ hours of sleep since taking office. Her idol, the former British prime minister, was famously known for sleeping about about four hours a night The Independent UK · Jul 22
Japan builds first centralised intelligence agency since World War II. But why now? Japan is considered one of the world's most peaceful countries. Under its post-war Constitution, the country officially renounced war as a way to settle international disputes; therefore, its national defence forces have long operated under a strict "defence-only" policy. The Times of India · Jul 22
Stock Index Futures Climb as Chipmakers Extend Rebound, Earnings in Focus September S&P 500 E-Mini futures (ESU26) are up +0.57%, and September Nasdaq 100 E-Mini futures (NQU26) are up +1.39% this morning, pointing to a higher open on Wall Street as a rebound in chipmakers gained momentum. Barchart · Jul 21
JPMorgan, other US banks set to help finance Japan's $550 billion US investment plan, sources say JPMorgan and other US banks are close to agreeing on financing support for projects under Japan’s $550 billion US investment pledge, according to sources. The move could help Tokyo fulfil commitments made to President Donald Trump, as Japanese banks face challenges in funding large dollar-based infrastructure projects. Japan has announced… The Economic Times · Jul 21
JPMorgan, other US banks set to help finance Japan's $550 billion US investment plan, say sources US banks like JPMorgan are nearing financing agreements for Japan's investment pledge. Japanese banks face high costs for dollar funding, limiting their participation. Tokyo seeks to fulfill commitments made to the US government regarding these investments. Only a fraction of the needed financing has been secured for initial projects. Discussions… The Economic Times · Jul 21
Japan bond jitters overshadow Takaichi's first economic policy roadmap Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's economic blueprint promises increased investment in growth areas. Market concerns persist regarding potential government interference in monetary policy decisions. Bond yields have risen, reflecting worries about Japan's substantial national debt. The administration adjusted its blueprint language to clarify the Bank of Japan's policy-setting independence. This focus… The Economic Times · Jul 21
Global Market: Japan's Takaichi unveils growth blueprint, reiterates investment push amid bond market concerns Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi unveiled her first economic blueprint, promising stronger investment in strategic industries while reaffirming the Bank of Japan's monetary policy independence. The plan comes as rising bond yields and investor concerns over fiscal spending and political influence on the BOJ keep markets on edge. The Economic Times · Jul 21
Japan revises imperial law for sustainable system, keeps male-line throne Japan's parliament on Friday revised the Imperial House Law to address the issue of the shrinking royal family, while retaining the long-standing male-only succession system, despite public support for female emperors. Bangkok Post · Jul 17
The Independent UK · Jul 17 Japan enacts law to punish national flag vandals. Opponents say it's a threat to free speech Japan on Friday enacted a controversial new law prohibiting desecration of the national flag, a key right-wing agenda pushed by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi
The Independent UK · Jul 17 Japan relaxes royal succession law but women still can’t become emperors New measures will also allow princesses to keep their royal status if they marry a commoner
France 24 · Jul 17 Japan changes imperial succession law but keeps ban on female emperor Japan's parliament on Friday enacted changes to imperial succession rules, allowing male distant relatives to rejoin the imperial family and women to retain royal status after marrying commoners. The legislation, however, keeps the ban on female emperors despite opinion polls showing broad public support for allowing women to ascend the…
The Independent UK · Jul 17 Japan's imperial family is diminishing. Plan for male-only succession could make it worse A law set to pass Friday by Japan’s parliament could doom its 1,500-year-old hereditary institution by insisting that only men can be emperor, sparking worry about the shrinking, fast-aging imperial family
The Guardian - AU · Jul 15 ‘Den of spies’: why has Japan been easy prey for Russian espionage, and what is Tokyo doing about it? Postwar rules limit state collection of intelligence and prosecution of illegal operatives, but the government of Sanae Takaichi is beefing up its capabilities
The Economic Times · Jul 7 Japan, China coast guard ships face off near disputed East China Sea islands Japanese and Chinese coast guard ships confronted each other near disputed islands Tuesday. Each nation claimed to have expelled the other's vessels from their territorial waters. The incident occurred near uninhabited islands claimed by both Japan and China. This maritime encounter follows recent diplomatic tensions between the two nations. Both…
The Economic Times · Jul 7 Global Market: Japan reassures markets over BOJ independence, fiscal reforms Japan sought to reassure financial markets that it remains committed to fiscal discipline after concerns over its latest economic policy blueprint pushed government bond yields to multi-decade highs. The government denied it was pressuring the Bank of Japan to keep interest rates low and reiterated support for central bank independence.
The Economic Times · Jul 7 Stronger India-Japan MSME collaboration can boost electronics, software exports: ESC India The bilateral partnership can unlock opportunities for MSMEs in AI, electronics, software exports, and semiconductors, says Gurmeet Singh, Executive Director of ESC India.
The Economic Times · Jul 3 China's warning reveals what really happened at Modi-Takaichi summit India and Japan's recent summit in Delhi has sparked concern in Beijing. Agreements on defense, critical minerals, and AI signal a strategic shift, prompting China to caution against "exclusive small groupings." The summit's focus on economic security, diversified supply chains, and defense co-development, particularly the UNICORN project, directly challenges China's…
The Economic Times · Jul 3 India-Japan ties should not target third party: China on Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi's visit to Delhi China has voiced concerns over bilateral cooperation that could target third parties, following India and Japan's announcement of landmark initiatives including economic and defense pacts. Beijing emphasized that such partnerships should foster regional understanding and stability, not division. The joint statement also expressed worry over the East and South China…
The Economic Times · Jul 3 Maruti's plant inauguration by PMs of India, Japan 'greatest possible honour': T Suzuki Suzuki Motor Corporation President Toshihiro Suzuki expressed immense honor as Indian and Japanese Prime Ministers virtually inaugurated Maruti Suzuki's new Kharkhoda plant. This significant event underscores a deepened commitment to "Viksit Bharat," with a focus on human development. Suzuki emphasized this by visiting skill development and road safety institutes, highlighting…