Japan

After decades of zero interest rates, a dramatic change in the Japanese bond market is causing investors to repatriate billions of dollars. This shift could lead to higher mortgage and credit costs in the West.

A high school employee in the city of Miyako and two women were arrested on suspicion of conducting a shocking campaign of killing and torturing about 50 hamsters. Investigators uncovered graphic videos and correspondence on the suspect's mobile phone in which they planned the acts and carried them out in "love hotels."

The Japanese currency is strengthening sharply as statements from the Bank of Japan and American support increase market bets on a shift in monetary policy.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warns that the collapse of the Japanese currency threatens global markets. In an official letter, he reveals why Washington was forced to intervene in a rare move.

Japan spent 15.4 trillion yen ($96.4 billion) on foreign exchange interventions between July 30 and August 26. This record monthly expenditure reflects the government's determination to curb the yen's depreciation.

Nearly two thousand volunteers mobilized for an extraordinary operation at Hirosaki Castle in northern Japan. Using a traditional method and giant ropes, they managed to move the watchtower, which weighs hundreds of tons, more than two meters in two days. The historic structure was reconstructed after its predecessor was destroyed by a lightning strike.

Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, one of the most prominent figures in avant-garde art, has passed away at the age of 97. The news was announced this morning on her official website.

Japan's leader Sanae Takaichi is used to working long hours alone in her official residence, but a nightly encounter with a cockroach disrupted her routine. After she refused to kill it due to her beliefs, her aides intervened and destroyed it. She admitted: 'I felt relieved, but at the same time a little lonely and even sad.'

A father in Japan left his 7-year-old son alone at an altitude of 2,500 meters after the boy grew tired during a climb up Mount Fuji. The child was found by a mountain worker in rain and fog. Police ordered the father to return and reprimanded him for his reckless behavior.

The Trump administration has expanded sanctions against the International Criminal Court and blacklisted President Tomoko Akane, who helped issue warrants against Netanyahu and Putin. In Japan, they warn of damage to international law and relations with the US.

The Nikkei index is down 0.4%, the Kospi is up 0.8%, and the Hang Seng is climbing 0.7%. Japan's inflation rate reached 1.9% in July amid rising energy costs.

Against the backdrop of turmoil in the oil market and continued disruptions to shipping routes in the Middle East, the Gulf is no longer waiting for a solution: "You cannot rely on Donald Trump."

The Russian president's visit to Iturup, one of the four islands Tokyo demands be returned, sparked an exchange of protests between the countries. Japan criticized the move, Moscow summoned the ambassador, and Sergey Lavrov accused Tokyo of having "crossed the line of good taste."

After decades of a fragmented intelligence apparatus, Japan is establishing a new National Intelligence Bureau and a National Intelligence Council. Plans also include an anti-espionage law and a foreign intelligence agency amid regional threats and doubts regarding US reliability.

Japan's economy expanded by 1.1% in the second quarter, missing the 2% growth forecast. The slowdown was driven by weak private consumption, which declined for the first time in eight quarters.

The Japanese MMX mission is scheduled for launch in 2026 to collect at least 10 grams from Phobos, with the return of samples to Earth in 2031. At the same time, China is planning Tianwen-3, which aims to bring samples from the surface of Mars itself around 2031.

At least four people have died in widespread flooding that struck Chiba Prefecture. More than 360 millimeters of rain fell within 24 hours, causing severe transport disruptions and power outages. About 7,000 passengers were stranded at Narita Airport due to blocked roads and railways.

Japan, despite its status as a technological powerhouse, remains cautious in adopting artificial intelligence. While facing severe labor shortages and an aging population, the country lags significantly behind the US and the UK in integrating AI into the workplace.

Vladimir Putin has visited the Kuril Islands, which are disputed between Russia and Japan, for the first time. The visit, which sparked a sharp protest in Tokyo, took place against the backdrop of Russian military exercises and a North Korean ballistic missile launch.

Okuda served as president and later as chairman of Toyota Motor between 1995 and 2006. In a 45-year career at the company, he was considered the central figure in the development of the Prius — the first hybrid vehicle launched in 1997, which marked a technological breakthrough.

North Korea launched a ballistic missile overnight from the east of the country toward the sea, South Korean and Japanese authorities reported. According to the Japanese Ministry of Defense, the missile fell into the sea and caused no damage. The launch comes against the backdrop of rising tensions in the region, days before the start of joint military exercises by the USA and South Korea.

Four life insurance giants in Tokyo are stuck with massive losses on government bonds following interest rate hikes. Now, as the yen plunges to record lows and the Americans scramble to calm the currency market, the local complication is becoming a dramatic test for the global economy.

Closed trails, changes in tax laws, and restrictions due to tourist crowds could ruin the vacation you've been planning for a long time. These are the destinations that tourism experts recommend checking carefully before booking.

The powerful storm hit the island of Okinawa, leaving 14,000 buildings without electricity and causing five people to be injured. Now the typhoon is making its way to the Chinese coast, where the alert level has been raised and flights and maritime port operations have been canceled. At the same time, China is using the storm to demand that ships in the Taiwan Strait obey its instructions — a move...

The earthquake in Japan was only the beginning: Typhoon "Dolphin" has forced Toyota to halt 17 production lines. The company is prioritizing employee safety and managing disruptions to global shipping routes.

North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile into the sea for the first time in over a month. Seoul raised its alert level, Japan and the United States condemned the act, against the backdrop of joint exercises and North Korean threats in response to Japan arming itself with Tomahawk missiles.

New footage from the severe earthquake in Japan shows moments of horror. Emergency cameras at the hospital in the city of Yatsushiro captured doctors shielding a patient with their bodies during surgery as the building shook.

At its best, 'The Missing Part' dwells on the hero's attempt to create a renewed emotional connection with a girl who last saw him when she was 3. These are the few moments where it manages to touch, but it is simply unmemorable.

Japan is presenting its military buildup as an engine for economic growth, calling for investment in the arms industry and new technologies. The government warns that the Chinese threat to Taiwan remains its greatest strategic challenge.

The zoo spokesperson stated, "According to our veterinarian, the suspected cause of death is heatstroke." She explained that the local heat is accompanied by high humidity, unlike the climate in Africa.

Washington and Tokyo carried out their first joint intervention in the foreign exchange market in years. The move involved selling euros and buying yen, an unusual step intended to support the Japanese currency without weakening the dollar.

The combination of the war against Iran and stubborn inflation is driving a dramatic policy shift in Europe, the United States, and Japan. Julius Baer provides a special analysis on the expected impact on equity and FX markets.

The US administration is purchasing yen in the amount of 5–10 billion dollars as the Japanese currency hits 40-year lows. Beyond supporting an ally, the intervention offers a direct benefit to Washington: it may reduce Japan's sale of US bonds, thereby lowering the cost of servicing American debt.

Following Donald Trump's announcement to cancel an attack on Iran, oil prices fell by over 5%. Asian stock markets are experiencing a negative trend, while the Japanese yen has strengthened following a coordinated intervention by Tokyo and Washington.

After yields soared to a 20-year high, the fear of a massive fire sale of bonds by one of the world's most powerful countries threatens to shake the global economy.

Flying abroad soon? A special and intriguing edition of the iconic KitKat bar has arrived in Israel, paying tribute to Japanese culture with four unique flavors and a limited-time promotion.

They haven't done it since 2011, but now Japan and the US are forced to cooperate and inject tens of billions into the currency market to stop the extreme deterioration that threatens the markets.

Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi, and Daihatsu have suspended production at several plants following the earthquake in Japan. The primary cause for the halt is disruption in the supply chain.

The US and Japan took coordinated action to support the yen, strengthening the Japanese currency by over 1%. This marks the first joint intervention by Washington and Tokyo in nearly 30 years.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has announced the establishment of two new intelligence bodies to counter foreign espionage and cyberattacks. The move follows reports identifying Japan as a hub for Russian intelligence operations.

For the first time since World War II, Japan has opened the "National Intelligence Bureau" to unify its scattered security branches. The move comes against the backdrop of a strengthening axis between China, Russia, and North Korea, and follows revelations that Japanese equipment was smuggled for Russia's war in Ukraine.

In Nagoya, Japan, a 29-year-old man fell from a 12-story building onto a 23-year-old female pedestrian walking on the sidewalk. The young woman died in the hospital, and the man is in serious condition.

The yen's surge has reignited assessments that authorities in Japan entered the foreign exchange market to curb the currency's weakening. The Bank of Japan is expected to publish its interest rate decision tomorrow, with expectations of no change.

The Nikkei index is up 1.3%, while the Kospi and Hang Seng show declines. Oil prices are retreating: Brent crude is down 1.4% to $89.5 per barrel, and WTI is down 1.1% to $83.5 per barrel.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced today, Wednesday, that the earthquake that struck the island of Kyushu has claimed the lives of 13 people. Rescue teams continue to search for survivors trapped under the rubble of a shopping center.

A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on Kyushu Island this Tuesday morning. The Japanese government has issued a tsunami warning for waves of up to one meter.

A 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck the Kyushu region in southern Japan, prompting a tsunami warning. The US Tsunami Warning Center confirmed there is no tsunami threat to Hawaii or American Samoa.

The personal chamber cools the body using air jets at 5 degrees Celsius. The device costs 32,000 shekels, with operating costs of about 35 agorot per hour. It is designed for use at construction sites, schools, and shopping centers.

An abnormal heatwave in Japan, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, has led one company to offer a creative solution: a "human refrigerator." The Do Hiemon Box maintains an internal temperature of 15 degrees Celsius, allowing users to feel significantly cooler within five minutes.