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] 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
• [New] Asia Pacific is expected to witness rapid expansion driven by rising industrialization, expanding transport electrification initiatives, increasing defence budgets, and growing adoption of automation and robotics across China, Japan, South Korea, and India. ReAnIn
• [New] Japan could cooperate with the United States to evacuate nationals from Taiwan in a contingency, citing existing legal frameworks. The Asia Cable
• [New] North Korea is described as a direct military threat to both South Korea and Japan, with nuclear forces increasingly capable of threatening the U.S. Grand Pinnacle Tribune
• [New] The US Dollar extended its sharp decline to 2026 lows around 97 on the DXY, driven primarily by speculation of US-backed Japanese yen intervention following Fed probes into USD / JPY positions, compounded by President Trump's aggressive trade threats against Canada and Europe. IC Markets | Official Blog | Blog
• [New] The anti-spying legislation could further strengthen restrictions on free speech under the excuse of protecting Japan from foreign nations. The Asahi Shimbun
• [New] Global bond yields rose after the Japanese Prime Minister proposed to cut taxes on food, which bond markets feared could lead to higher inflation. Waterford Advisors
• [New] Progress in deploying nuclear reactors to strengthen nations' energy independence will likely occur through regional and bilateral alliances, such as the EU nuclear alliance, Nordic-Baltic cooperation, renewed Japanese investment, and civil nuclear cooperation between the United States and Canada. Atlantic Council
• [New] The yield on Japan's 40-year bond rose to its highest mark since its debut last week, prompted by fears of steep government spending under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and rising inflation. ST
• [New] The Bank of Japan held a policy meeting last Friday and left its Policy Rate at 0.75% as widely expected. / USA DailyForex
• [New] Asia Pacific will maintain fastest growth trajectory, driven by China's electronics and EV dominance, India's aerospace and defence expansion, and Japan's advanced materials leadership. The National Law Review
• [New] Japan faces escalating tensions with China after Takaichi made remarks suggesting that Japan could become involved if China takes military action against Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing claims as its own. Coeur d'Alene Press
• [New] Japan will provide the Philippines with multi-role response vessels and initiate new projects in the Philippines under the Official Security Assistance, which include boat shelters for the Philippines Navy and coastal radar systems. American Enterprise Institute - AEI
• [New] Any attempt by China to use force against the self-governing island, which China calls a renegade province, would likely constitute a survival-threatening situation, compelling Japan to intervene. The Irish Times
• [New] Japan plans to phase in its J-IFRS S1 / S2 standards for large companies in fiscal year 2027, while Singapore has postponed its mandate for large unlisted firms to FY 2030. Council Fire
• [New] Japan's nuclear industry has faced a string of scandals and incidents in recent weeks, including data falsification by Chubu Electric Power to underestimate seismic risks. The Hindu
• [New] Japan will revise its National Security Strategy and related documents in late 2026 and measures to strengthen defence industry and technology are expected to be included. Institute of Geoeconomics(IOG) by Asia Pacific Initiati
• [New] Japan intends to target commercial 6G by 2030, and China has initiated 6G research programs at a national level. EcoPortal.net
• [New] The revisions, passed unanimously by the Upper House, will see the Japan Meteorological Agency and the land ministry introduce a standardized alert scale from one to five for four types of disasters: overflowing rivers, flooding caused by torrential rain, landslides, and storm surges. / Japan Grand Pinnacle Tribune

Last updated: 31 January 2026