Japan

Japan's industrial economy is under strain from Chinese export restrictions and profit declines in its flagship auto sector. This pressure is partially offset by major foreign investment in AI and semiconductors, and a landmark US-Japan trade deal is advancing. Toyota and Honda have agreed to full wage increases in spring labor talks.

• 10Toyota appoints finance chief as new CEO after profit drop
• 8Toyota names new president as CFO Koji Sato takes over leadership
• 8TSMC will produce advanced 3-nanometer chips in Japan
• 7Toyota and Honda companies agree to full wage increases in Japan's spring labor talks
• 7Honda's quarterly profit drops over 60% as electric vehicle costs hit

Sanae Takaichi has secured a dominant political mandate, winning a landslide election and being re-elected as prime minister by parliament. Her position is bolstered by a public endorsement from Donald Trump, but she faces criticism from China and is under pressure over gifts to MPs.

• 28Japan's ruling party wins a landslide victory in national election
• 7Japan's parliament re-elects Sanae Takaichi as prime minister
• 5China criticizes Japan's new leader for mixing dialogue with confrontation
• 4PM Takaichi vows policy shifts to make Japan strong and prosperous
• 4Japanese PM Takaichi's cabinet resigns

Japan is actively asserting its maritime sovereignty and deepening military cooperation with the US and Philippines, conducting joint drills near Taiwan. This assertive posture follows the seizure of a Chinese fishing vessel in Japanese waters. Commentary warns against Japan's 'remilitarization'.

• 15Japan seizes Chinese fishing boat and arrests captain in its waters
• 215 Japanese nationals detained in Cambodia's capital
• 2Stabbing in Japan's Osaka leaves teen dead, 2 injured as suspect flees
• 1Beware of the nuclear ghost haunting East Asia: How far is Japan from nuclear armament?
• 1Curb Japan’s ‘remilitarization’ frenzy with concrete action

Japan's demographic crisis is the dominant societal tension, with the birth rate hitting a record low for the tenth consecutive year. A viral clip of a Taiwanese girl being shoved in Tokyo has sparked a debate over hidden aggression, while heavy snowfall caused significant fatalities.

• 8Japan's birth rate hits record low for tenth consecutive year
• 4At Least 30 Dead After Weeks of Heavy Snowfall in Japan
• 3アダルトビデオ作品「販売やめて」 元出演者とメーカーの和解成立 [東京都]
• 2Clip of Taiwan girl shoved at Tokyo street sparks outrage, debate over hidden aggression in Japanese society
• 2Japan imperial couple, Princess Aiko to visit Tohoku disaster areas