The Bank of Japan held its policy rate at 0.75% at the January 22-23, 2026 meeting, on an 8-1 vote. Despite December's hike to a 30-year high, the yen kept weakening, and the BOJ went to 1.0% in June. We look at the impact on mortgage rates, what would take the pressure off the yen, and the carry trade.
Prime Minister Takaichi calls for diversification of critical material supply chains at meeting with Keidanren. Amid China's tightening rare earth export controls, Japan accelerates domestic mining at Minamitorishima and international partnerships. Analysis of Japan's resource strategy for economic security.
NTT announces plans to repurpose its nationwide underground communication conduits for hydrogen transportation. Utilizing 600,000km of existing infrastructure could reduce costs to less than 50% of new pipeline construction. This Japan-originated innovation targeting 2028 commercialization attracts global attention. A detailed look at a new approach to realizing a hydrogen society.
On January 16, 2025, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met manga legend Tetsuo Hara, creator of Fist of the North Star, during her visit to Japan. Learn about Hara's historic honor at the Uffizi Gallery, how Fist of the North Star influenced Dragon Ball, Naruto, and One Piece, and why the series remains beloved in Italy after 40 years. Discover how manga has become a powerful tool for cultural diplomacy.
Kyushu Electric's CEO predicts 20-30% power demand increase by 2034 due to TSMC semiconductor expansion and AI data center growth. Japan's 7th Basic Energy Plan emphasizes renewables and nuclear power to meet surging electricity needs.
In 2025, Japanese agricultural corporation bankruptcies hit a record 103 cases. Learn about the structural challenges facing Japan's farming industry: weak yen, soaring material costs, labor shortages, and succession crisis, all while food self-sufficiency remains at just 38%.
According to the latest forecast by SEAJ (Semiconductor Equipment Association of Japan), sales of Japanese-made semiconductor manufacturing equipment are projected to reach ¥5.5 trillion in FY2026, up 12% YoY, exceeding ¥5 trillion for the first time in history. Expanding investment in advanced AI semiconductors is driving growth, with Japanese companies like Tokyo Electron expected to gain global market share.
Dentsu Soken and UK's Quant Network announce partnership to pioneer Japan's stablecoin market. Learn how programmable payments and orchestration technology are transforming Japanese finance, alongside megabank pilots and JPYC developments shaping 2026's digital currency landscape.
In January 2026, Japan's top currency official warned that 'all options' were on the table as the yen hit 159 per dollar. We break down what's driving the slide, Japan's 2022 and 2024 intervention record, the 160 line, and the January BOJ meeting.
Ogaki City's digital regional currency "Gaki Pay" has gone viral on Japanese social media due to its quirky name. Learn about Japan's innovative approach to combating inflation through digital local currencies, the story behind the unusual name, and how regional currencies are transforming local economies across the country.
A new mineral called Takanawaite discovered in Mt. Takanawa, Ehime Prefecture contains rare earth elements. However, commercial development faces three major barriers: mining volume, stable supply, and radioactive waste processing. This article explores Japan's path to becoming a "resource power" alongside the Minamitorishima seabed development project.