Japanese

• The EUR/JPY currency pair rose 0.15% on Friday, trading around 184.15 as investors weigh potential interest rate hikes from both the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Bank of Japan (BoJ). • July inflation data showed a 0.1% monthly increase in headline CPI and 0.2% for core inflation, with annual headline inflation remaining high at 3.4%. • The current economic climate is significant because high inflation is stagnating spending power for wage earners and keeping core inflation above the 2% target.

Coalition demands police investigate apparent leaking of diplomatic cable to newspaper but Labor calls it a ‘silly political stunt’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Japanese ambassador has downplayed Anthony Albanese’s comments about a gift of melons from Sanae Takaichi, saying Tokyo had been reassured by the Australian government that the prime minister “did not make the comments in the way that has been reported”.While the Coalition continued to raise outrage over Albanese’s comments to the Bush Deep podcast, including seeking to have federal police investigate the alleged leaking of a diplomatic cable to a newspaper, the Japanese government appeared to be uninterested in making a diplomatic incident out of the much-maligned comments. Continue reading...

Anthony Albanese facing criticism after appearing to joke on a podcast about a gift of melons from Sanae TakaichiAustralian prime minister Anthony Albanese has rejected calls to apologise to Japan’s prime minister over a joke he made about melons on a satirical podcast, amid a media frenzy and accusations of sexual innuendo.Government MPs have defended the prime minister as criticism mounted over last month’s remarks, branded by the Coalition opposition as “grubby”. Assistant minister Pat Gorman told media: “I don’t know why we’re still talking about this”. Continue reading...

Natto toast, fresh fruit sandwiches and soufflé pancakes all part of growing interest in east Asian cuisineGolden brown and glistening with melted butter, a tray of freshly baked bread fills the screen in a TikTok video. The camera lingers on the glossy tops before one bun is gently pulled apart, revealing a cloud-soft interior.The clip is one of countless videos of Japanese milk buns that have racked up millions of views and thousands of comments and shares, helping to propel the pillowy rolls into UK supermarkets. Continue reading...

• The AUD/JPY currency cross halted a three-day winning streak on Friday, trading around 111.30 during Asian market hours. • The Australian Dollar depreciated due to a surge in global safe-haven demand triggered by escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. • Market instability is further compounded by mixed trade data from China, a critical trading partner for Australia.

• South Korean stocks experienced their sharpest daily loss in over four months on July 28, 2026, with the Kospi sinking 10.84% to close at 6,023.66. • The decline was driven by an Asia-wide sell-off in semiconductor shares, specifically impacting industry giants Samsung and SK Hynix. • This volatility marks a shift in regional market dynamics, as South Korean semiconductor trends are now driving wider swings in Japanese stocks, reversing the previous pattern.

• The Japanese yen rose nearly 1% against the U.S. dollar on Monday as investors anticipated a potential coordinated currency intervention between Japan and the United States. • This rally is driven by market expectations that Japanese authorities will act to stabilize the currency, alongside shifting outlooks regarding the Bank of Japan's monetary policy. • The movement is significant as it reflects growing volatility in the USD/JPY pair and highlights the tension between U.S. economic strength and Japanese currency stability.

Treasury secretary’s notepad, photographed by Reuters on Friday morning, prompts questions over US plansDuring a cabinet meeting at Camp David on Friday, the US treasury secretary Scott Bessent carelessly revealed plans for the US to buy $5bn-$10bn ⁠in Japanese yen in a scribbled “to do” list left visible to a Reuters photographer.The image, taken over Bessent’s shoulder during a portion of the meeting open to journalists, showed a Camp David notepad with the underscored words “To Do” followed by “Buy Japanese Yen (JPY) $5-10 bil”. Continue reading...

• Goldman Sachs has increased its 12-month target for Japan's TOPIX index from 4,400 to 4,500, suggesting a potential upside of approximately 12%. • The firm's optimistic outlook is driven by expectations that a weak yen will significantly boost Japanese corporate earnings. • This move comes as the TOPIX remains only 2% below its all-time high set in June, outperforming other Asia-Pacific markets with a stable forward P/E ratio of 16x to 17x.

• Punch, a beloved Japanese macaque, recently celebrated his first birthday. • The occasion drew global attention, resulting in hundreds of birthday cards being sent to the monkey from around the world. • This event highlights the strong emotional connection and international popularity the animal has garnered from supporters.

• The second Music Awards Japan (MAJ) ceremony was recently held, bringing together A-list musicians to recognize their achievements and elevate their international profiles. • The event serves as a strategic platform to promote Japanese pop and broader Asian musical talent to global audiences. • This initiative matters as it seeks to increase the overseas reach and commercial viability of the region's music industry.

• Japanese companies are increasing their investments in India's Global Capability Centres (GCCs) to capitalize on the nation's expanding technology and innovation ecosystem. • This strategic shift allows Japanese firms to address structural changes in the global economy by leveraging India's skilled workforce and digital infrastructure. • The move signifies a transition from traditional outsourcing toward establishing high-value hubs for research, development, and strategic operations.

• Japanese Press Secretary Toshihiro Kitamura emphasized the need for India and Japan to collaborate closely to address regional instability and ensure energy security. • Kitamura highlighted that recent developments in Iran and tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz have significant implications for Asian economies, including Japan. • The discussions focused on the strategic importance of the Iran-US Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and its impact on global trade and maritime safety.

• China expressed concern over the recent visit of Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi to Delhi, warning that India-Japan bilateral cooperation should not be used to target third parties. • The warning follows the announcement of landmark economic and defense pacts between India and Japan, focusing on supply chain resilience and the procurement of critical rare earth minerals. • Beijing argues that such partnerships must foster regional stability and understanding rather than creating divisions or escalating tensions in areas like the East China Sea.

• The Euro (EUR) fell nearly 0.5% to approximately 184.00 against the Japanese Yen (JPY) during Thursday's European trading session. • The decline follows a sudden surge in the Yen's value, which market analysts suspect is the result of direct intervention by Japanese authorities. • This volatility stems from a narrowing interest rate differential as the Bank of Japan (BoJ) gradually abandons its decade-long ultra-loose monetary policy while other central banks consider rate cuts.

• Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is conducting a maiden three-day visit to India for the sixteenth India-Japan Annual Summit. • The leaders aim to discuss expanding security cooperation and the "free and open Indo-Pacific" framework to strengthen regional stability. • A key economic objective of the summit is the exploration of a potential direct yen-rupee trade settlement system.

• Global stock markets in Asia and Europe rose on Tuesday, following a positive trend from Wall Street. • Key indices saw gains including Germany's DAX (+0.8%), Britain's FTSE 100 (+0.4%), and a slight increase in Paris's CAC 40. • The Japanese yen hit a critical milestone, trading near a 40-year low against the U.S. dollar.

Online uproar in China follows Canadian brand’s use of taiko drum at sponsored festival held to celebrate Chinese cultureThe activewear brand Lululemon has apologised after a promotional event held on the Great Wall of China appeared to mistakenly feature a Japanese drum, prompting an uproar.The Canadian-headquartered company, known for its upmarket yoga leggings, has been growing rapidly in China and arranged for a yoga festival to take place in late May on a section of the wall near Beijing. Continue reading...

• Asia Pacific stock markets rallied significantly following a peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran, which reduced global geopolitical risks. • South Korea's KOSPI led the surge with a 5.38% increase to 8,561.07, while other indices including Australia's ASX 200, China's SSEC, SZI, and Hong Kong's HSI also saw gains. • This market optimism reflects investor confidence that the diplomatic resolution will stabilize international trade and economic security.

• Japanese scientists successfully deployed SORA-Q, an autonomous rolling rover, to explore a portion of the moon in 2024. • The robot features a unique "Transformer-like" design, allowing it to shift from a spherical shape into a robot with extending wheels, a flip-up camera, and a transforming tail. • This mission demonstrates advanced lunar mobility and the ability to adapt a vehicle's physical form to navigate challenging extraterrestrial terrain.

Renewed outrage at White House’s use manga and anime imagery after US president is depicted as ninja NarutoJapanese anime and manga fans are urging Donald Trump to stop using their favourite characters in his social media posts.About 20,000 people have signed a petition on Change.org entitled Protect Japanese Manga, protesting against the official White House X account posting videos featuring unauthorised use of imagery from the popular Dragon Ball, Yu-Gi-Oh! and Naruto series. Angry fans have also been posting their displeasure on social media. Continue reading...

• The Shanghai film festival has excluded all Japanese movies this week, signaling a potential unofficial boycott of Japanese cultural exports. • While China has already imposed official restrictions on trade and tourism with Japan since November, no formal ban on the cultural sector has been announced. • This development suggests that diplomatic tensions between the two nations are now extending into the arts, music, and cinema industries.

Police and hunters in Utsunomiya, 100km north of the capital, resume their search for animal that is not usually seen so close to TokyoA city in Japan has closed all its 94 primary and secondary schools after a bear was spotted in the municipality for the first time.Officials in Utsunomiya, a city of half a million people about 100km (62 miles) north of Tokyo, took action after a medium-sized black bear – estimated to be about one-metre-long – was seen near a park in the city on Saturday. The bear was spotted again on CCTV running just in front of two startled young men in the city centre, in the early hours of Sunday. Continue reading...

• Major foreign media outlets from the United States and Japan are closely monitoring South Korea's nationwide local and National Assembly elections held on June 3. • Most international reports predict a victory for the ruling Democratic Party, citing current polling and political momentum. • Nikkei highlighted a potential risk for the ruling party, noting that South Korean elections often experience sharp shifts in balance due to last-minute variables or opposition supporter consolidation.

• The Nikkei 225 Index surged 2.8% during early Asian trading on May 25, surpassing the 65,000 mark for the first time with an intraday high of 65,170. • Key contributors to the rally included gains from major companies such as SoftBank Group, Tokyo Electron, and Advantest. • Separately, President Trump indicated a U.S.-Iran deal is basically reached, though reports remain mixed regarding uranium stockpiles and the Strait of Hormuz.

• Global hedge funds ramped up investments in Asia, with weekly buying of South Korean, Japanese, and Taiwanese stocks reaching a 10-year high for the week ending May 7, according to a Morgan Stanley report. • The surge, the heaviest in over a decade in notional terms, was driven by clients across all regions and strategies targeting Asia's technology sector amid the AI boom. • Hedge funds' net exposure to Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan has risen to its highest since 2010, now at about 19% of global positioning, focusing on semiconductors and hardware in the AI supply chain.

• Chiba Jets defeated Gunma Credit CT 72-68 in a tight Japanese basketball league game. • The Jets showcased exceptional free-throw accuracy, converting 19-of-22 attempts for an 86.4% success rate. • American forward performance was pivotal in securing the narrow victory for Chiba.