Society

In January 2026, the yen surged to the 155 level after reports that Japanese and US authorities conducted coordinated "rate checks," signaling potential currency intervention. We explain what this means for the Japanese economy amid election-driven fiscal policy debates.

Japan's 4-day work week adoption is accelerating in 2025, with Tokyo Metropolitan Government and major corporations like ZOZO, Fast Retailing, and Panasonic leading the charge. Explore the three implementation models, benefits, challenges, and what this means for Japan's notoriously long work culture.

Japan welcomed a record 42.68 million foreign visitors in 2025, with spending reaching 9.5 trillion yen. Explore the current state of inbound tourism, overtourism challenges in Kyoto and Mt. Fuji, and Japan's innovative solutions for sustainable tourism.

Japan's 2025 trade deficit halved to ¥2.65 trillion, down 52.9% year-on-year. Record exports of ¥110.4 trillion were driven by electronic components and semiconductors shipped to Asia and the EU. Trump tariffs caused US-bound exports to fall for the first time in five years.

UFO sightings are surging across Japan in 2025. From Fukushima's "UFO Village" to mysterious lights over nuclear plants, discover Japan's UAP hotspots. Learn about the bipartisan UFO caucus pushing for disclosure and how Japan fits into the global UAP transparency movement.

Japan's Cabinet Office now projects a ¥800 billion primary balance deficit for FY2026, reversing an earlier ¥3.6 trillion surplus forecast. What the Takaichi administration's ¥18 trillion supplementary budget did to the fiscal-consolidation target, and to interest-rate risk.

In a historic shift, "civil servant" ranked #1 for the first time among Japanese middle school boys' dream jobs in 2025. "YouTuber," which had led every edition through 2024, fell nine points to third. This article explores how economic uncertainty and inflation are driving Japanese teens toward stability-focused career choices.

Japan has committed more than ¥10 trillion (about $65 billion) in semiconductor support through fiscal 2030, aiming to draw ¥50 trillion in combined public and private investment. A look at the "crisis management investment" doctrine, Rapidus and 2nm, the equipment and materials sector, and the race with the US, China and Europe. An additional ¥631.5 billion for Rapidus was approved in April 2026.

Japanese space startup ispace has been selected for JAXA's Space Strategy Fund, securing up to $130 million over about five years for a 2029 lunar south pole landing. The mission tackles precision landing, extended surface operations and relay satellite deployment. After a 2026 reshuffle it is now designated Mission 4.