Topic
315 articles
Japan’s Finance Ministry confirmed a record ¥11.73 trillion ($74 billion) in forex intervention during April and May to support the yen. The move came amid heightened Middle East tensions driving up import costs and yen weakness. It was the largest intervention since 2022, signaling Tokyo’s resolve to stabilize the currency.
Japan's Finance Ministry confirmed on May 31 that it spent a total of 11.73 trillion yen ($74.4 billion) on foreign exchange intervention in April and May, the first detailed disclosure after weeks of market speculation. The operations occurred on April 29 and May 4 when the yen hit a 24-year low against the U.S. dollar, surpassing 150 yen per dollar. Analysts said the spending was higher than expected, showing the government's commitment to stabilizing the yen amid the BOJ's ultra-loose monetary policy.
The US Air Force will move a squadron of Global Hawk surveillance drones from Guam to Yokota Air Base in Tokyo starting this summer. Japanese defense officials confirmed the move Friday, the first permanent stationing of such high-altitude, long-endurance drones in Japan. The relocation aims to enhance US surveillance and intelligence in the Indo-Pacific amid rising regional tensions.
Japan’s parliament passed a revised law on May 28 to tighten foreign investment screening, establishing an inter-agency council modeled on the U.S. CFIUS to prevent leakage of critical technologies and intelligence. The move addresses rising economic security concerns amid global tech competition, allowing deeper government intervention in sensitive sectors like semiconductors and AI.
A Japanese man who is Cambodia's honorary consul in Sendai is accused of failing to declare about 370 million yen ($2.3 million) in income over four years through 2024. Sources disclosed the matter on May 26, 2026, prompting scrutiny of tax obligations for foreign-based diplomatic appointees. Japanese authorities are investigating.
Japan is considering exporting Mogami-class destroyers to New Zealand while advancing trilateral defence talks with Australia, according to Kyodo News. The move is part of Tokyo's strategy to strengthen security ties in the Indo-Pacific amid rising geopolitical tensions.
Japan has for the first time deployed four Self-Defense Forces (SDF) personnel to NATO’s Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) program headquarters in Germany. This marks a new milestone in Tokyo’s defense cooperation with the alliance, as the personnel will engage in coordination and technical support activities. The move signals Japan’s expanding role in international security beyond the Indo-Pacific region.
The Japanese government will revise its disaster prevention strategy to better prepare for a major earthquake in the Tokyo area, expanding the use of seismic breakers to prevent fires. The 10-year plan aims to minimize casualties by strengthening infrastructure and early warning systems.
On May 26, the Japanese government admitted that overestimating domestic rice supply and delays in releasing emergency reserves were main causes of the recent rice crisis. Authorities miscalculated market rice availability, leading to tightened supply and higher prices.
