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July 24, 2026
 

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METI

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets with U.S. President Donald Trump meets at the White House in Washington in March. It's been a year since Japan reached a deal with the U.S. in tariff negotiations.
BUSINESS
Jul 19, 2026
20% of Japan¡¯s pledged U.S. investments underway a year after tariff deal
The Japanese government has faced unrelenting criticism on the sheer size of the proposed investments and loans spent on a foreign country.
The industry ministry announced ?387.3 billion in funding to develop a domestic foundation model for physical AI that controls robots, aiming to strengthen the country's competitiveness against the United States and China.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 30, 2026
Japan announces aid for domestic AI development project
The industry ministry aims to help the country catch up with the United States and China in AI technology.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a meeting on the Middle East conflict in Tokyo on Friday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 27, 2026
Japan to draw up energy-related package by end of August
Industry minister Ryosei Akazawa has been tasked with drawing up an action plan to address the energy risks that became apparent amid the Middle East conflict.
Japan's industry ministry is considering abolishing Cool Japan Fund after its cumulative losses reached ?54 billion in fiscal 2025.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 25, 2026
Cool Japan Fund may be scrapped by industry ministry after posting high losses
The plan to end the Cool Japan Fund is being considered after its cumulative losses reached ?54 billion in fiscal 2025.
Japan and the International Atomic Energy Agency signed a memorandum in Tokyo on Tuesday to cooperate on the development of small modular reactors.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 24, 2026
Japan and IAEA team up to promote small modular reactors
Small modular reactors (SMRs) are smaller reactors with simpler systems and enhanced passive safety features.
The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, one of the world's largest nuclear facilities, stands along the seaside in Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 5, 2026
Japan proposes rebuilding aging nuclear plants to meet power demand
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is a strong backer of nuclear power, seeking to ease the bill for imported coal, gas and oil.
A model of a Gazprom LNG carrier at an exhibition in St. Petersburg, Russia, in October.
BUSINESS
Jun 4, 2026
Japan officials met metals and LNG firms in unusual Moscow talks
The talks underscored the importance Tokyo and Moscow place on keeping channels of communication open.
Russia's Ministry of Economic Development in Moscow
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
May 28, 2026
Japanese officials visit Russia to discuss business environment amid war
Economic cooperation between the two countries has significantly stalled since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in Tokyo's Kasumigaseki district
BUSINESS / Companies
May 10, 2026
Japan considers sending officials to Russia by end of May
However, the trade ministry said the current situation doesn¡¯t allow for pursuing new forms of cooperation with Russia.
Ispace's Resilience lunar lander at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Tsukuba Space Center in Ibaraki Prefecture, in September 2024.
COMMENTARY / World / Geoeconomic Briefing
May 1, 2026
Japan¡¯s space systems face growing cybersecurity threats
Space systems depend on data links between satellites and ground infrastructure, making them inherently tied to cybersecurity.
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa holds a news conference after a Cabinet meeting at the Diet building on Friday.
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 17, 2026
Sony to receive up to ?60 billion in state subsidies for image sensor plant
The state aid is intended to help ensure a stable supply of semiconductors, designated as a specified important item under the economic security promotion law.
Despite steady leadership from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during rising global risks, her tenure so far lacks decisive economic vision, raising questions about whether she can use the current narrow window to pursue structural reforms.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 5, 2026
Takaichi¡¯s path from crisis manager to ¡®champion¡¯ builder
Despite steady leadership amid global risks, Prime Minister Takaichi lacks decisive economic vision, leaving questions about whether she will seize the narrow window for reform.
Industry minister Ryosei Akazawa speaks during a news conference on parliament in Tokyo on Friday.
BUSINESS
Apr 4, 2026
Oil bypassing Strait of Hormuz set to arrive in Japan from May
Over 90% of Japan¡¯s oil imports have come from the Middle East, and most of them have come via the strait.
Some utilities, for instance, tout that the utility costs will be cheaper under their plan without accounting for a variable fuel adjustment charge.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Mar 30, 2026
Utility contract complaints persist nearly a decade after deregulation
Consumer officials are urging caution as complaints over electricity and gas contracts remain almost 10 years since Japan opened its utility markets.
The Takasago Thermal Power Plant in Takasago, Hyogo Prefecture. Japan will increase the use of coal-fired power plants to strengthen energy supply amid the Middle East energy shock.
BUSINESS
Mar 27, 2026
Japan to allow more coal-fired power to cope with energy shock
Japan is joining other nations that have shifted course to use the dirtiest fossil fuel more in the wake of of the war.
Tanks at an oil refinery in Yokohama in February. Japan said Monday it began to release strategic oil reserves.
BUSINESS / Economy
Mar 16, 2026
Japan begins its largest-ever oil release from strategic reserves
Crude oil prices have soared as the Strait of Hormuz, through which most Japan-bound oil passes, remains effectively closed.
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ryosei Akazawa speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Sunday after a two-day forum on energy security in the Indo-Pacific region.
BUSINESS / Economy
Mar 16, 2026
Japan and U.S. to work together to prevent critical mineral disruptions
The two countries will work to prevent supply disruptions for critical minerals resulting from possible export restrictions by resource-producing countries.
Industry minister Ryosei Akazawa addressed an Indo-Pacific Energy Security Ministerial and Business Forum on Saturday, calling on regional leaders to diversify their energy supply.
BUSINESS
Mar 15, 2026
Akazawa implores Asian partners to diversify energy suppliers
The industry minister said that the region depends on imports for more than 80% of its energy compounding the damage caused by the conflict between U.S.-Israeli forces and Iran.
Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's industry minister, has asked Australia to increase production of LNG amid the war in the Middle East.
BUSINESS
Mar 14, 2026
Japan industry ministry asks Australia to boost LNG output amid Iran crisis
Japan relies on the Middle East for around 11% of its LNG imports, with 6% shipped via the Strait of Hormuz.
A prototype of a Rapidus 300mm wafer displayed at the Semicon Japan exhibition. The industry ministry has earmarked ?150 billion for state-backed chip venture Rapidus, bringing the cumulative government investment in the venture to ?250 billion.
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 26, 2025
Japan to quadruple spending support for chips and AI in budget
The jump in chips and AI spending comes at as Japan is trying to strengthen its capacities in frontier technology, and the U.S. and China race ahead.
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.
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.
Intervention is the word after yen moves beyond ?163 and sits there
The government could prop up the yen at any moment, though its signaling is hard to read.
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.
Maya Ongaku¡¯s DIY dream is getting bigger
The members of Maya Ongaku ¡ª (from left) Tsutomu Sonoda, Shoei Ikeda and Ryota Takano ¡ª grew up on the Shonan Coast south of Tokyo and have been friends since their school days.

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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