Japan

Japan's economy shows stark sectoral divergence. SoftBank posted a $12 billion profit surge on AI investments and announced a €75 billion French AI data center plan, while Honda recorded its first annual loss since the 1950s and abandoned EV targets, and Toyota saw a 20% profit drop due to Iran war cost pressures. The government confirmed a record $73 billion yen-buying intervention to stem currency weakness.

• 20Honda posts first annual loss since 1950s, abandons EV targets
• 20Sony Announces $3 Billion Buyback as Memory Prices Take Toll
• 16Japan snack makers switch to plain packaging due to Iran war
• 14Toyota sees 20% drop in annual profit as Iran war drives up costs - The Straits Times
• 13SoftBank plans up to €75 billion investment in French AI data centers

Prime Minister Takaichi faces intensified foreign criticism over defense policy. China's Xi strongly criticized Takaichi for Japan's 'remilitarization' during a Trump summit, while Japan rejected China's 'new militarism' accusation and pointed to Beijing's own military buildup. Domestically, a Kumamoto city councilor was arrested for bribery, and the debate on constitutional revision continues.

• 15Japan rejects China's 'new militarism' accusation, points to Beijing's own military buildup
• 10Japan and South Korea to strengthen energy cooperation
• 6Marcos in Tokyo: Japan, Philippines take relations to new level
• 6Japan seeks Takaichi-Trump call on US-China summit
• 4Hegseth says U.S. has ’high expectations’ for Japan on defense spending

Japan's Self-Defense Forces fired anti-ship missiles for the first time during Philippine military drills, signaling a more assertive regional posture. Domestically, a U.S. soldier was sent to prosecutors over sexual assault, and a spraying incident in Tokyo's Ginza area sent 19 to hospital. A Japan-linked oil tanker crossed the Strait of Hormuz amid the Iran war.

• 6Japan’s SDF fires anti-ship missiles for first time in Philippine military drills
• 519 taken to hospital after alleged spraying incident in Tokyo's Ginza area - Japan Wire by Kyodo News
• 42 teens arrested over gold bar robbery in Tokyo - The Straits Times
• 4U.S. soldier in Japan sent to prosecutors over sexual assault
• 3Philippines, Japan committed to bolstering maritime security: Marcos

Japan's demographic decline accelerates with a record five-year population drop, while public health faces a measles outbreak approaching 500 cases. A magnitude 6.3 earthquake hit northern Japan, and the year's first fatal bear attack was confirmed, highlighting multiple concurrent natural and social pressures.

• 8Magnitude 6.3 earthquake hits northern Japan
• 5Japan bans photos at beach volleyball after 'malicious' pictures of players
• 5Japan confirms year's first fatal bear attack, two others suspected
• 4Japan population sees record five-year drop: Census
• 4Measles cases in Japan this year approaching 500