Japan

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.

Japan's five-year government bond auction held on Tuesday experienced its strongest demand since June 2025. This robust buying activity was supported by elevated yields.

Asian shares declined due to worries about rising oil prices and inflation, which countered optimism from strong corporate earnings reports. On Wall Street, market losses were solidified in the afternoon after benchmark indices dropped following an upward acceleration in both U.S. and international crude oil prices.

Japanese second-quarter growth was weaker than expected. This slowdown occurred as households and businesses pulled back during the worst months of the Iran energy shock.

Japan has become known as a climate-adaptation lab after facing extreme weather events, including high heat and torrential rainfall in areas like Chiba Prefecture. To cope, corporations and governments have implemented varied measures, such as adjusting work schedules or providing cooling equipment. However, the article notes that these local efforts do not address fundamental issues contributing to global risks, with some estimates predicting significant GDP losses by 2030.

Asian shares were mostly higher Monday, led by gains in Tokyo's Nikkei 225 and Hong Kong's Hang Seng. Despite some weakness in U.S. markets, US futures and oil prices remained steady, though the Federal Reserve faces challenges balancing high inflation with slowing economic growth, a scenario called "stagflation". Major financial indicators also saw movement, including Brent crude edging up and the U.S. dollar falling against the Japanese yen.

Japan's 10-year bond yield reached a three-decade high. Additionally, the interest rate nears 3%, driven by concerns that a weak yen is fueling inflation.

Japan's bonds fell due to growing speculation that the Bank of Japan might raise interest rates and general fiscal concerns. This market activity pushed the 10-year yield to the highest level recorded since 1996.

Japan's economy grew at an annual rate of 1.1% in the April-June quarter, even while private consumption remained flat and exports declined. Although quarterly GDP growth was lower than expected due to economic headwinds such as high energy costs from the war in Iran, strong global demand for autos and semiconductors helped support Japan’s exports.

Japan's economy grew an annualized rate of 1.1% during the April-June quarter. This growth was recorded even though private consumption remained flat and the growth of exports declined.

Japan's annualized GDP growth for the second quarter reached 1.1%. This reported growth figure fell short of anticipated estimates, which were set at 2% on an annualized basis.

A joint U.S.-Japan intervention, aimed at supporting the yen, failed to ease currency market anxiety despite initial strengthening of the exchange rate. Analysts caution that key underpinnings of global finance appear risky, comparing the system to a 'giant Jenga tower.' These risks are driven by Japan's massive debt, sluggish central bank action, and concerns over the dollar’s dominance.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi avoided the controversial Yasukuni Shrine during the 81st anniversary of Japan's WWII surrender, leading to protest from China and South Korea. Officials from various Japanese groups visited the shrine despite warnings about covering up war crimes. Amid mounting tensions, Chinese officials urged Japan to undergo serious soul searching regarding history.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stayed away from Yasukuni Shrine on the 81st anniversary of World War II surrender, addressing that Japan contributes to global peace while avoiding discussion of wartime atrocities. She mourned victims in Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Okinawa, and those who perished overseas. Meanwhile, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and executives from Takaichi's governing party visited the controversial shrine earlier on.

China lodged a formal protest with Japan concerning Yasukuni actions. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sent an offering to the shrine, while Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited it on the anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II.

A heat wave is currently breaking records across Europe, while record-breaking rainfall has triggered flooding in several cities in Japan. Meanwhile, authorities in Italy successfully recovered three stolen artworks by Renoir, Cézanne, and Matisse, and Hawaii is preparing for significant rain and strong winds from Tropical Storm Lala.