Japan

Japan is considering implementing a blockchain fast lane for securities cash settlement. To facilitate this, the FSA, Finance Ministry, BOJ, and financial institutions plan to study the necessary infrastructure and produce a development plan by early 2027.

Global shares mostly rose driven by interest in the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and sustained buying fueled by AI investments. Falling crude oil prices further boosted sentiment, with indices like Japan's Nikkei 225 and South Korea's Kospi seeing notable jumps. However, market movements are cautious ahead of Nvidia’s earnings report, amid high geopolitical tensions regarding US-Iran relations.

Following its involvement in a tech selloff, Japan has been identified as an investment opportunity. A strategist suggests buying the dip, while a research firm advises that there are cyclical, fundamental, and technical reasons to invest in Japanese stocks.

Japan plans to launch a blockchain-based system for settling stocks and bonds in the early 2030s. This initiative represents an effort to modernize financial infrastructure through distributed ledger technology.

Japan plans to work on a blockchain-based stock settlement system. Nikkei reported that details regarding this new system are expected in early 2027.

Typhoon Saudel is heading west over the East China Sea after impacting Okinawa and other remote southwestern Japanese islands. The powerful typhoon caused blackouts, flight cancellations, and threatened landslides upon its passage. Overall, the storm resulted in at least two injuries.

Asian shares mostly rose as oil prices fell and global interest in artificial intelligence continued to boost regional markets. Geopolitical tensions remain high, with top diplomats from Iran and Oman meeting concerning ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Nvidia's performance and strong gains on the S&P 500 highlighted the continued growth expected within the AI sector.

Asian shares mostly rose in early trading, supported by declining oil prices and sustained global interest in artificial intelligence technology. Resource-poor nations like Japan saw gains, while the index on Wall Street was boosted by AI stocks such as Nvidia. Geopolitical discussions continued regarding reopening the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman.

Asian shares mostly rose on Wednesday amid growing hope for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and falling oil prices, which boosted optimism for oil-importing nations like Japan. Global interest in artificial intelligence continued to drive regional market gains, while benchmarks such as U.S. crude dropped to $80.30 per barrel.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that Japan intends to defend the International Criminal Court (ICC). She explained this stance was prompted by increasing pressure placed on the ICC by the US, which recently demonstrated its push through sanctions targeting a Japanese president.

Dharmacapital Co., a high frequency trader in Japan, moved all of its staff to Singapore earlier this month. This relocation reportedly left Tokyo without any similar firms operating out of the city.

Following Berkshire taking a stake, Tokio Marine plans a multibillion-dollar deal. The Japanese group is reviewing several targets, which include Australia’s Suncorp and Canada’s Intact Financial.

Fasset secured $68 million in a Series C funding round, reaching a $1 billion valuation, with SBI Group leading the investment. The funds will support plans for developing a digital bank in Malaysia and expanding stablecoin payments.

Two bond auctions in Japan next week may challenge the efforts of US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. These upcoming Japanese bond auctions pose a potential threat regarding longer-maturity Treasury yields.

A group of cross-party Japanese lawmakers, including one from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s governing party, traveled to Beijing to meet Chinese officials, aiming to mend strained bilateral ties. The deterioration began after Takaichi's comment on Taiwan angered China and cut off communication channels in all areas. The group seeks a 'window for dialogue' following remarks that had severely worsened Japan-China relations.

Laser Digital secured Japan's first crypto approval in four years, an achievement that was backed by Nomura.

Japan claims a massive exclusive economic zone based on Okinotori, an uninhabited feature consisting of rocks less than 10 square meters at high tide. Japan protested Sino-Russian live-fire drills held within this claimed zone. The protest cited safety risks but also challenged Beijing's claim that Okinotori is merely a rock.

Japan has executed a man who was convicted of setting fire to a pachinko parlor. This incident occurred in 2009, resulting in the deaths of five people.

Japanese inflation is rising, prompting the central bank to consider a rate increase. The Bank of Japan is under pressure to act on rates in September because the yen is weakening despite a joint intervention.

Asian shares showed mixed performance following losses on Wall Street, as a U.S. Treasury plan to boost government debt buybacks had only limited capacity to calm markets. The latest climb in bond yields has weighed on share prices, despite the announcement that the repurchase program could be larger. Global movements included oil falling slightly and major US indices dropping.

Asian shares were mixed following losses on Wall Street, even as a U.S. Treasury Department plan to boost government debt buybacks had limited capacity to stabilize markets. While some Asian indices, such as Hong Kong’s Hang Seng and South Korea’s Kospi, gained ground, others declined or remained flat due to rising bond yields and overall market volatility.

The article highlights that Bessent flagged a bigger debt buyback and notes that Japan's inflation is picking up. Additionally, Bloomberg TV's "The Asia Trade" provides market insight from Sydney, featuring Haidi Stroud-Watts and Paul Allen.

North Korea launched about 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea on Thursday, prompting South Korea to bolster its surveillance and coordinate information with the U.S. and Japan. Following an emergency meeting, South Korea's presidential national security council urged North Korea to halt launches banned by U.N. Security Council resolutions.

Japan reported that North Korea launched a suspected ballistic missile toward the sea on Thursday. This incident occurred after South Korean and U.S. militaries scaled back their Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises. Meanwhile, Kim Yo Jong dismissed any reduction of drills, stating that the provocative nature of the military activities would not change.

Japan reported that North Korea launched a suspected missile. Specifically, a suspected ballistic missile was fired and was traveling toward the sea.

Japan reported detecting a suspected ballistic missile launched by North Korea toward the sea. This event occurred after South Korean and U.S. militaries scaled back their 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises. Amid the tension, Kim Yo Jong dismissed the reduction in drills, stating that their provocative nature would not change.

Japan’s real estate investment is expected to hit a record for the second consecutive year. This market performance was driven by robust demand for offices that fueled transactions during the first half of the year, according to Jones Lang LaSalle Inc.

Asian shares advanced on Thursday, with South Korea's Kospi jumping over 6%, following U.S. futures gains. The surge was linked to the U.S. Treasury Department announcing it would double planned purchases of longer-term government debt, causing bond yields to fall. Other major indexes such as Japan’s Nikkei 225 and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng also reported gains.

Asian shares advanced following the US Treasury Department's announcement that it would at least double its planned purchases of longer-term government debt. This move was viewed as easing pressure on share prices by pushing bond prices higher and bringing down yields. Major indices saw gains, with South Korea’s Kospi jumping 6.1%, and memory chipmakers like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix reporting significant jumps.

Japan’s 20-year government bond auction saw stronger demand compared to its 12-month average. This positive outcome was fueled by elevated yields that attracted investors and received support from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's efforts to manage borrowing costs.

Japan achieved record levels for both exports and imports in July. However, the nation extended its trade deficit for a third straight month, primarily due to soaring energy costs and the impact of a weak yen.

Japan reported record exports and imports in July, though its trade deficit totaled 634.5 billion yen for the third straight month. While strong auto and semiconductor exports boosted revenue, soaring energy costs due to the war in Iran and a weak yen extended the deficit.

Global funds sold the largest amount of short and intermediate Japanese government bonds in two decades. This significant outflow occurred last month due to persistent yen weakness, which fueled speculation regarding monetary policy tightening.

The Japan Student Services Organization set terms for a two-year student-loan bond. This specific bond is priced at a record-high coupon.

The International Criminal Court slammed new U.S. sanctions targeting senior staff, including President Tomoko Akane and lawyer Abdoulaye Seye. The U.S. government imposed these sanctions, accusing the ICC of overstepping its mandate by investigating non-member countries like Israel and the United States. The court stated that such actions place the international legal order at risk and vowed to continue fully discharging its mandate with independence.

The International Criminal Court slammed U.S. sanctions targeting its president and senior staff as a "flagrant attack" on the tribunal's independence. The State Department hit ICC personnel, including Tomoko Akane, alleging the court overstepped its mandate by investigating non-member states like Israel and the United States. Officials noted that these sanctions block basic financial services and restrict travel for targeted individuals.

China successfully recovered the first stage of the Zhuque-3 rocket on land for the first time, marking a major breakthrough in its reusable rocket technology. This follows an earlier sea recovery of a Long March-10B rocket stage using a net-capture system. Furthermore, the article notes that Japan conducted a test flight of an experimental reusable rocket.

Russia summoned the Japanese ambassador to protest Tokyo's condemnation of President Vladimir Putin's visit to Kuril Islands. Japan strongly protested, stating that the archipelago, which it calls the Northern Territories, is its inherent territory by international law. In response, Russia lodged a formal protest, reaffirming its sovereignty over the southern Kurils and warning that countermeasures would be taken given Tokyo's adherence to Western sanctions.

AWS's top Asia executive is moving to Tokyo because the company believes Japan holds significant potential for AI adoption despite slow GDP growth. Japan must modernize its legacy IT systems to avoid a looming "digital cliff" that could cost $76 billion annually. In response, the country plans massive public and private investment into strategic sectors like semiconductors and physical AI.

Situational Awareness sold shares in Taiyo Yuden Co. to Citadel and other investors. The company reported offloading part of its stake this month, as detailed in a filing.