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July 24, 2026
 

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Atsuko Fukase
Corporate bond issuance reached a record ?16.7 trillion in the financial year through March, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 21, 2026
Climbing interest rates reshape Japan¡¯s corporate bond market
While higher rates have raised borrowing costs for issuers, they have also incentivized investors toward fixed-income securities, setting in motion a new cycle of capital flows.
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group has priced a ?300 billion ($1.9 billion) dual-tranche Additional Tier 1 (AT1) bond deal, adding to a growing pipeline that underwriters estimate could push Japanese bank issuance of the special bond to a record high this year.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 29, 2026
Japanese banks see hybrid bond boom to fund regulatory capital
The issuance of Additional Tier 1 bonds, which are considered among the riskiest forms of bank debt, could rise to a record high in Japan this year.
Alphabet, the parent of Google, sold ?576.5 billion ($3.6 billion) in bonds in the largest ever yen deal by a non-Japanese company as competition to fund data centers and AI infrastructure intensifies.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 15, 2026
Alphabet sells biggest yen bond on record by foreign issuer
The Google parent sold ?576.5 billion ($3.6 billion) of bonds as competition to fund centers and AI infrastructure intensifies.
While yields on euro-denominated bonds tend to be lower than those in dollars, investors are currently able to generate extra yield pickup by using swaps.
BUSINESS
Apr 30, 2026
Japan¡¯s record sales of euro bonds show historic funding shift
Japan¡¯s largest trading firm, Mitsubishi, raised €1 billion from its inaugural euro-denominated bond offering in February.
Japan has become one of the world¡¯s most active markets for mergers and acquisitions in terms of deal growth as the nation¡¯s companies face pressure from investors to deploy cash into growth investments.
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 14, 2026
M&A boom in Japan is fueling record corporate bond sales
Japan has become one of the most active markets for mergers and acquisitions in terms of deal growth as investors pressure companies there to deploy cash into growth investments.
SoftBank Group issued about ?500 billion in retail bonds at a coupon of 3.98% in November.
BUSINESS / Markets
Jan 7, 2026
Japan¡¯s corporate debt sales set for another banner year in 2026
Rising yields and lower volatility compared with government bonds saw investors snap up $105 billion of local-currency corporate debt in 2025, the most in records back to 1999.
SoftBank Group said it is issuing a yen-denominated bond at an annual coupon of 3.98%.
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 26, 2025
SoftBank ?500 billion bond coupon highest in more than a decade
The rate on the unsecured seven-year note was set near the upper end of the previously announced range of between 3.5% and 4.1%, according to a term sheet from the company.
SoftBank priced ?46 billion in bonds on Friday, bringing its already record issuance this year to around ?400 billion.
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 21, 2025
SoftBank prices ?46 billion in bonds, extending record issuance
The offering comes amid a sharp rise in benchmark government bond yields, driven by concerns over fiscal expansion under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi¡¯s administration.
Berkshire Hathaway sold ?210.1 billion ($1.4 billion) in yen-denominated bonds on Friday at a narrower spread than its previous deal, as global investors flock to Japan.
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 14, 2025
Berkshire Hathaway raises more than ?210 billion from bond sale
The Omaha, Nebraska-based firm has been a regular issuer of yen bonds since its debut six years ago, making it the largest foreign issuer of yen notes in that period.
Japanese companies have raised $132 billion in foreign-currency bond and loan deals arranged by banks so far in 2025, up 56% from a year earlier.
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 4, 2025
Japan¡¯s $132 billion borrowing binge reshapes global credit
Underscoring the unprecedented shift onto the global stage, annual overseas note issuance is on course to exceed debt sales in yen for the first time ever.
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer¡¯s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ¡°seed¡± that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ¡°Peak 1 amyloid beta,¡± as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" ¡ª an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role
Iranian drones are displayed in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Jan. 13, 2025.U.S. officials have acknowledged that Russia has ?provided targeting ?and other support for Iran in its drone strikes on U.S. targets in the Persian Gulf region.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan¡¯s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.
Summer has arrived in Japan and so have hot sleepless nights
Amid the heat and humidity in Japan, a good night¡¯s sleep is growing increasingly elusive without the heavy use of air conditioning.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan¡¯s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

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