Global Scans · Japan · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: The latest sign of weakness in Japan's economy will likely add to mounting skepticism about the prime minister's expansionary policies. His coalition government has just achieved the supermajority it needs to amend the constitution which many are worried that Japan is about to remove the mask of pacificism and convert its "Self-Defense Force" into the military threat it really is.

• [New] Novo will keep patent protection for semaglutide in Europe and Japan until 2033, and in the US until 2032. The Guardian
• [New] Areas where GIC sees emerging opportunities in Japan include corporate reform, industry consolidation, intellectual property, physical artificial intelligence (which enables machines to do things in the real world, such as self-driving cars), digitalization, infrastructure modernization and tourism. ST
• [New] GIC wants to deepen its presence in Japan together with its partners, and expects to grow the number of its staff there by nearly 50% over the next three years. ST
• [New] Fiscal policy is projected to remain expansionary in major economies such as Germany, Japan and the US, providing short-term support to growth. MercoPress
• [New] With several key treaties set to expire in 2026 and countries rapidly expanding their nuclear arsenals in response to growing international conflict 2026 will be a defining moment, particularly as countries like Japan and Saudi Arabia contemplate nuclear weapon development. Global Security Review
• [New] The US military will erect a strong denial defence along the First Island Chain - a string of islands that includes Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines. Yahoo News Canada
• [New] Asia-Pacific development encompasses China's national CCUS demonstration program targeting 100 MtCO2 per year by 2030, Japan's Asia CCUS Network for regional cooperation, and Australia's carbon capture and storage research supporting technology advancement. Discovery Alert
• [New] Any further decline in January could weigh on the yen, as investors are still more focused on Japan's mounting debt problem than the Bank of Japan's increasingly hawkish stance. investing.com
• [New] Benefiting from the convergence of real interest rate differentials between the U.S. and Japan and the normalization of the Bank of Japan's monetary policy, USD / JPY is forecast to move towards 147 over the next 12 months. BigGo Finance
• [New] Japan faces dual pressures from a strengthening yen and the normalization of the Bank of Japan's monetary policy, which could erode the profits of export-oriented companies. BigGo Finance
• [New] We expect the Bank of Japan to continue its gradual rate hikes given inflation will be supported by both fiscal easing and a virtuous cycle of wages and prices. Firstlinks
• [New] Japan's share of population aged 65 and above is projected to reach 32.3% by 2035, with the old-age dependency ratio rising to 53.1% from 50% in 2023. Insurance Business
• [New] Smaller companies, with valuations at historical lows, provide compelling opportunities to capitalise on Japan's economic growth. Firstlinks
• [New] The US will incentivise and enable its treaty allies (Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines) and partners (Taiwan) to do more for collective defence. International Centre for Defence and Security
• [New] The deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs) in Canada, the US, and Japan is expected to contribute to capacity growth, providing flexible and scalable nuclear solutions. Nuclear Engineering International
• [New] Japan can become a nation more full of hope. Prime Minister's Office of Japan
• [New] Without robust information capabilities, Japan will find itself lacking adequate diplomatic capacity, defence capabilities, economic standing, and technological expertise. Prime Minister's Office of Japan
• [New] No matter which of Japan's 47 prefectures one lives in, a person will be able to live securely, have access to necessary medical care and welfare as well as advanced education, and have places to work. Prime Minister's Office of Japan
• [New] Japan will generate significant revenue through the overseas expansion of fully closed and controlled plant factories and land-based aquaculture facilities, where Japanese startups boast world-class technologies. Prime Minister's Office of Japan
• [New] Ensuring well-established food security creates a Japan that will never endure a shortage of food, no matter what circumstances may transpire. Prime Minister's Office of Japan

Last updated: 07 February 2026