US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has joined Japanese authorities in a rare coordinated effort to strengthen the yen, reportedly proposing a $5-10 billion US purchase of Japanese yen. This marks the first joint US-Japan currency intervention since 2011, aimed at reversing months of yen depreciation that has given Japan a trade advantage. The move signals a major shift in US foreign exchange policy and has already impacted currency and bond markets.
On July 30, 1971, All Nippon Airways Flight 58, a Boeing 727-200 en route from Sapporo to Tokyo, collided mid-air with two Japanese Air Force F-86 Sabre training jets over Honshu, Japan. The instructor pilot accidentally strayed into the civilian airway, and his student wingman failed to avoid the airliner. The collision killed all 162 people aboard the 727, including an infant not counted on the manifest, making it the deadliest civil aviation disaster up to that date. The student pilot ejected safely after his fighter's wing struck the 727's stabilizer. The article details the flight paths, pilot errors, and the aftermath of the crash.
Borussia Dortmund is generating approximately five million euros from its annual marketing tour in Japan, according to BILD. The Bundesliga club is currently in Osaka for the first leg of the trip, where it will play a friendly against Cerezo Osaka before moving to Tokyo to face FC Tokyo. Revenue comes from sponsorship appointment fees and match income, with the Bundesliga also covering travel costs for trips to strategically important markets like Japan. Beyond immediate earnings, Dortmund's management is using the tour to finalize lucrative sponsorship deals with Japanese industrial partners such as Yanmar, Panasonic, Daikin, and Mitsubishi, each potentially worth seven-figure sums annually. These partnerships are linked to Dortmund's infrastructure projects including stadium modernization and training ground expansion. Managing director Carsten Cramer praised the trip's international marketing opportunities, noting that only Bayern Munich and Dortmund are currently undertaking such tours.
Keppel Real Estate Investment Trust (Reit) reported a 4% decline in distribution per unit (DPU) to S$0.0261 for the first half of 2026, down from S$0.0272 a year earlier, due to an enlarged unit base. However, distributable income from operations rose 25.2% to S$119.6 million, and net property income increased 13.3% to S$112.1 million. The Reit committed over 1.1 million square feet of leases, driven by demand from banking, insurance, financial services, and technology sectors, achieving positive rental reversions of 12.8%. The manager also announced the divestment of its majority stake in KR Ginza II, a freehold office building in Tokyo, for 11.5 billion yen (US$70.2 million), with completion expected in Q3 2026. The ex-dividend date is August 5, with payment on September 15.
Double Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen announced his return to competition in the 5,000 meters at the European Championships in Birmingham on August 10, following surgery on his left Achilles tendon earlier this year. The 25-year-old Norwegian, who is the defending champion in the event, confirmed his participation via Instagram, stating that training has been going well and he sees no reason not to compete. Notably, Ingebrigtsen will not defend his title in the 1,500 meters, a distance where he is a three-time European champion, as his name has been removed from the entry list. The Achilles issue is believed to have contributed to his poor performance at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, where he failed to advance past the first round in the 1,500 meters and finished 10th in the 5,000 meters.
Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma is suspected of experiencing a marital rift, according to reports from Japanese media including Nikkan Sports. On July 27, fans noticed that Mitoma's wife, Kenmochi, had deactivated her Instagram account, and Mitoma had deleted or hidden wedding posts and photos from his Instagram. The couple married in July 2022 after meeting as university classmates. This follows a difficult period for Mitoma, who suffered a left leg injury in May 2024, ruling him out of the upcoming World Cup, and was involved in a traffic accident in Tokyo on July 8. Fans have left comments expressing curiosity and sadness, while others urged respect for their privacy.
Portuguese driver António Félix da Costa (Jaguar) was eliminated from contention for victory in the 14th round of the Formula E World Championship in Tokyo after a collision with German driver Pascal Wehrlein (Porsche). Starting from third, da Costa finished ninth, scoring only two points. He expressed frustration, stating he had managed energy perfectly and was 90% certain of a win. The incident was triggered by a confusing strategy from his Jaguar teammate Mitch Evans during the mandatory pit stop window, which allowed Wehrlein to get alongside and make contact. Wehrlein retired from the race, while Evans regained the championship lead with 144 points. Da Costa remains fifth with 113 points. The second race of the Japanese weekend takes place on Sunday.
Japan is experiencing a severe heatwave, with Tokyo recording 453 heat-related hospitalisations on July 22, 2026, the highest single-day total since records began in 2010. Emergency callouts in Tokyo also reached their highest level since at least 1963. Nationwide, at least 14 people have died over the past week, and 11,000 have sought emergency medical care. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency has labelled the extreme heat a 'disaster'. Temperatures exceeded 40°C in multiple locations, with Hamamatsu reaching 41.1°C. Japan recently introduced the term 'kokushobi' (cruelly hot day) for temperatures above 40°C to raise public awareness. Authorities urge residents to stay hydrated and use air conditioning.
The Japan-Brazil Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue took place in Tokyo on May 18 between Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira. The meeting aimed to strengthen bilateral ties under the 'Strategic and Global Partnership Action Plan Japan-Brazil (2025-2030).' Key outcomes included progress toward entering Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations and Brazil's agreement on economic security cooperation. The article notes that while Brazil has deepened ties with China, its largest trading partner, it seeks to diversify relationships and avoid over-reliance on any single country. Brazil has notably declined to join China's Belt and Road Initiative. Japan views Brazil as a crucial partner for trade diversification, securing agricultural products and rare earths, and advancing shared values like democracy and UN Security Council reform. The dialogue is seen as a meaningful step, but realizing the relationship's potential requires sustained investment in people-to-people ties and business engagement.
On May 18, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira held the first Japan-Brazil Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue in Tokyo. The meeting advanced discussions on a potential Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Japan and Mercosur, with Brazil agreeing to cooperate on economic security. The article analyzes the untapped potential in the bilateral relationship, noting that trade remains narrowly concentrated and Japan's share of Brazil's trade has fallen to 2%. It highlights Brazil's strategic autonomy: while deepening ties with China (its largest trading partner), Brazil has declined to join China's Belt and Road Initiative and seeks to diversify partners. Brazil shares democratic values and diplomatic goals with Japan, including UN Security Council reform. The dialogue is seen as a meaningful step, but realizing the relationship's potential requires sustained investment in people-to-people ties and business engagement.
The Japan-Brazil Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue was held in Tokyo on May 18 between Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira. Both countries are working to strengthen their relationship under the 'Strategic and Global Partnership Action Plan Japan-Brazil (2025-2030),' reflecting untapped potential. Trade remains narrowly concentrated, with Japan's share of Brazil's foreign trade declining to 2 percent. Brazil, moving toward free trade after signing an FTA with the EU, sees an opportunity to diversify partners, while Japan seeks to expand trade and secure resources. Progress was made on entering EPA negotiations and economic security cooperation. The article notes that while China is Brazil's largest trading partner, Brazil pursues a multipolar order and avoids over-reliance on any single country, declining to join China's Belt and Road Initiative. Japan and Brazil share diplomatic objectives like UN Security Council reform and values such as democracy and human rights. The dialogue is seen as a meaningful step, but realizing the relationship's potential requires sustained investment in people-to-people ties and business engagement.
Sarah O'Keefe, a traveler who spent nearly a year exploring Japan, recommends four less-crowded destinations over popular tourist hotspots like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. The article highlights Miyajima, Sapporo, and Hakone as preferred alternatives, emphasizing their unique cultural and natural attractions. The piece is based on the author's personal travel experiences and aims to guide readers toward more serene and authentic Japanese experiences away from overcrowded areas.
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is set to host its Advancing AI 2026 event in San Francisco on July 22, generating significant investor anticipation. The stock has surged 138.5% year-to-date, with a market cap of $808.4 billion. Bank of America expects strong AI server demand to drive an earnings beat and higher guidance. AMD recently signed a 5C deal to compete with Nvidia in AI servers and added Tokyo-based Turing as an autonomous driving customer. The company reported Q1 2026 revenue of $10.25 billion (up 38% YoY) and EPS of $1.11, slightly above estimates. However, operating cash flow dropped 61.67% YoY. The next earnings report is due August 4, with Wall Street forecasting EPS of $1.35, a 400% YoY increase. The event could either confirm market optimism or reveal that AMD's AI story is still undervalued.
This article profiles Luis De La Fuente, the Spanish national football team manager who led Spain to consecutive major tournament victories: the UEFA Nations League (2023), UEFA Euro 2024, and the FIFA World Cup 2026. Born in Haro, La Rioja in 1961, De La Fuente had a modest playing career as a left-back for Athletic Bilbao, Sevilla, and Alavés, winning two La Liga titles and a Copa del Rey. After retiring in 1994, he coached youth teams at Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao, with a brief unsuccessful senior stint at Alavés in 2011. His breakthrough came within Spain's national youth setup, where he won the U19 European Championship (2015), U21 European Championship (2019), and an Olympic silver medal at Tokyo 2020. He developed future stars like Rodri, Unai Simón, and Pau Cubarsí. Appointed senior coach in 2022 after Spain's World Cup exit, he replaced Luis Enrique and has since built a team based on trust and collective responsibility, becoming the oldest coach to win the World Cup at age 65.
This opinion article by Sam Dumitriu, head of policy at Britain Remade, argues that Mayor Sadiq Khan's draft London Plan is not ambitious enough to address the city's severe housing crisis. London's housing is the least affordable in Britain, with prices ten times incomes. The plan sets a target of 88,000 new homes per year, but the author notes London last built over 60,000 homes in the 1930s and currently builds far fewer. The article compares London unfavorably to Tokyo, Auckland, and Manchester, which have successfully boosted housing supply through policy changes. While acknowledging some positive moves—such as revising rules on golf courses, opening some Green Belt land, and modestly relaxing Strategic Industrial Location (SIL) restrictions—the author argues these are insufficient. The main critique is that the plan fails to lift major burdens on development, including high affordable housing mandates and assessment requirements. The piece concludes by suggesting that if Khan will not plan for London to meet its housing target, the government should intervene.
This travel feature by Priyadarshini Paitandy, published in The Hindu, offers a detailed 48-hour itinerary for Tokyo, Japan. The author describes a sensory journey starting at the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi with views of Mount Fuji, followed by a visit to the traditional Asakusa district, including Nakamise Street and Senso-ji Temple. Lunch is at Tokyo Ramen Street beneath a train station, featuring chicken shio ramen. The afternoon includes a quiet visit to Kiyosumi Garden. The article emphasizes balancing Tokyo's frenetic energy with peaceful moments, covering food, culture, and urban exploration.
Hong Kong is considering extending its stock trading hours by starting equities trading 30 minutes earlier at 9 am and eliminating the one-hour lunch break that begins at noon. This proposal would align Hong Kong more closely with other major global exchanges, as it is currently one of the few major exchanges, alongside mainland China and Tokyo, that still maintains a lunch break. The change aims to increase trading continuity and competitiveness. The article, published by The Business Times on July 20, 2026, reports on this potential regulatory shift.
Hong Kong is considering a proposal to extend its stock trading hours by starting equities trading 30 minutes earlier, at 9 am, and eliminating the one-hour lunch break that currently begins at noon. This move would align Hong Kong more closely with other major global exchanges, as it is one of the few remaining major markets, alongside China and Tokyo, that still observes a midday trading halt. The proposal aims to increase market efficiency and competitiveness. The article, published by The Business Times on July 20, 2026, highlights the potential shift in Hong Kong's market structure.
The author, Ash Jurberg, surprised his 78-year-old parents in Tokyo by posing as their volunteer guide, having invented a free guide program. He navigated challenges including Tokyo's complex train system (using taxis instead), queuing for food while his parents rested, and managing their slower pace and phone habits. Despite difficulties like longer breaks and his parents' physical limitations (poor eyesight, vertigo), they visited key sites like Shibuya Crossing and enjoyed local foods. The author reflects that the trip was more demanding than traveling with toddlers but ultimately rewarding, and regrets not having taken such a trip 20 years earlier when his parents were more mobile.
Governor S. Abdul Nazeer of Andhra Pradesh congratulated Indian badminton star P.V. Sindhu for winning the Japan Open 2026 title, her first Super 750 crown, in Tokyo on July 19, 2026. In a statement from Lok Bhavan, the Governor noted that Sindhu became the first Indian to win the Japan Open title, making the country proud with her outstanding victory. The article, published by The Hindu, highlights the historic nature of the achievement and the official recognition from the state government.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang traveled to Tokyo to personally thank former Sega President Shoichiro Irimajiri for a $5 million equity investment in 1995 that saved the struggling chipmaker from bankruptcy. At the time, Nvidia had only 30 days of cash remaining after its first graphics processor, the NV1, failed due to using curved surface rendering instead of the triangle-based method adopted by Microsoft's DirectX. A follow-up chip developed with Sega was canceled. Huang proposed converting Sega's contractual debt into equity, warning the investment would likely be lost. Irimajiri convinced Sega's board to approve the deal, giving Nvidia six months to develop the RIVA 128, a triangle-based chip that sold 1 million units in four months and turned the company around. Nvidia went public in 1999, and Sega later sold its stake for $15 million. Today, Nvidia is the world's most valuable company with a market cap of $5.14 trillion.
A Deutsche Bank report reveals stark contrasts in global purchasing power driven by currency fluctuations. Tel Aviv has become the world's most expensive city to buy a McDonald's meal ($20.90), propelled by a strong shekel boosted by Israel's tech and defense industries, as well as wartime economic resilience. The city also ranks high for gasoline, cars, and housing costs, with supply constraints and tariffs contributing. Meanwhile, Tokyo has transformed from one of the priciest cities in the 1990s to a bargain today, as the yen lost 51% of its value against the dollar since 2012 due to decades of loose monetary policy. Japan now offers the cheapest iPhones globally, and a three-bedroom apartment in central Tokyo rents for about a quarter of the New York price. The report highlights how defense spending and tech dominance strengthened the shekel, while Japan's persistent deflation and near-zero interest rates weakened the yen, reshaping global cost-of-living rankings.
A Deutsche Bank report reveals that currency fluctuations have dramatically shifted global cost-of-living rankings. Tel Aviv now has the world's most expensive McDonald's meal at $20.90, driven by a shekel strengthened 30% against the dollar due to Israel's booming tech and defense sectors, strong stock market performance (up 50% vs S&P 500's 20%), and supply constraints on housing and food. Meanwhile, Tokyo, once among the priciest cities, now offers a McMeal for just $4.90 due to Japan's yen weakened by two decades of near-zero interest rates. The report highlights that Tel Aviv's high costs stem from domestic policies including centralized land control (90% by Israel Land Authority), high agricultural tariffs (7.5% average, 42% on dairy), and tight housing supply. Despite a 20% GDP contraction in late 2023 during the Gaza war, the shekel has remained resilient, with Israeli investors shifting assets back to shekel-denominated holdings.
A Deutsche Bank Research Institute report analyzed the prices of over a dozen everyday items across 69 cities, tracking changes over 12 years. Zurich and Geneva, Switzerland, are the most expensive cities globally for items like coffee, cab rides, jeans, and Coke, driven by the strong Swiss franc. However, residents also enjoy high salaries and disposable income. New York and San Francisco remain among the top 10 priciest in many categories, but their relative dominance has faded due to slowing foreign investment. Tokyo stands out as an outlier with low prices, being the cheapest place to buy an iPhone and offering significantly lower rent and fast-food costs compared to other major cities, attributed to continued yen depreciation.
Tokyo's 'Cool Biz' initiative, introduced after successive summers of record-breaking heat, now allows government workers to wear shorts in the office. This policy shift is prompting delicate questions about workplace etiquette and personal grooming, including concerns about hairy legs. The initiative aims to reduce energy consumption from air conditioning while adapting to rising temperatures. The article explores the cultural tensions between traditional Japanese office dress codes and the practical need for comfort in extreme heat, highlighting the broader societal debate about formality versus functionality in Japan's corporate environment.
Tokyo's 'Cool Biz' initiative, launched after successive summers of record-breaking heat, allows government workers to wear shorts in the office, prompting delicate questions about workplace etiquette and personal grooming, including concerns about hairy legs. The policy represents a significant shift in Japan's traditionally formal office dress code, challenging long-standing norms of professional appearance. The initiative aims to reduce energy consumption from air conditioning while adapting to rising temperatures. The article explores the cultural tensions between comfort and propriety, with some workers embracing the change and others expressing discomfort about exposed legs in professional settings.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang dismissed concerns about manufacturing challenges for the company's next-generation Vera Rubin AI platform during a visit to Tokyo. Huang stated the new systems are already in production and progressing toward customer deliveries, indicating Nvidia is gearing up for production at a 'giant' scale. The comments come after earlier reports raised concerns that manufacturing difficulties involving specialized circuit boards could potentially slow the launch. Nvidia, now the world's most valuable publicly traded company with a market cap of roughly $5.02 trillion, has seen its stock climb 14,429% over the past decade. The article notes that while Nvidia remains dominant in AI computing, investors are becoming increasingly sensitive to anything that could threaten its growth trajectory as rivals develop custom silicon and tech giants pour billions into AI infrastructure.
According to a July 18, 2024 report by Japanese tabloid Shukan Bunshun (republished by Hupu), Japanese national football team defender Ko Itakura and top actress Haruna Kawaguchi are in a romantic relationship that began last year. The couple was spotted together in Tokyo on July 16. Kawaguchi, 31, is a leading actress and advertising queen, while Itakura, 27, is a key defender for Japan and played for Ajax. The report details Kawaguchi's previous five-year relationship with MMA fighter Yusuke Yachi, which ended in spring 2024. Sources say Kawaguchi is serious about Itakura, even considering marriage, and has visited him in the Netherlands. Both parties' agencies declined to comment by deadline. The relationship is reportedly an open secret among Japanese national team players.
This travel feature from The Hindu offers a detailed 48-hour itinerary for Tokyo, Japan. The author describes a sensory journey starting with a stay at the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi, where views of Mount Fuji are a highlight. Day one includes visits to the traditional Asakusa district, the Senso-ji temple with its iconic Kaminarimon gate and o-mikuji stalls, and a lunch of chicken shio ramen at Tokyo Ramen Street beneath a train station. The afternoon concludes with quiet time at Kiyosumi Garden. The article emphasizes balancing Tokyo's frenetic energy with peaceful moments, covering food, culture, and urban exploration in a compact timeframe.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang visited Tokyo, where he announced a major AI factory partnership with Noetra Corp, a state-backed consortium including SoftBank, NEC, Sony, and Honda, to build a 27,500-GPU 'AI factory' billed as the world's first national AI infrastructure for robotics. He also visited a former Sega arcade in Akihabara to thank the company for a $5 million lifeline that saved Nvidia in the 1990s. The trip's highlight was an after-hours dinner at Yakiton Sankichi izakaya with top executives from Kioxia, Tokyo Electron, Shin-Etsu Chemical, Sumitomo Electric, Taiyo Yuden, and Ajinomoto. After dinner, Huang emerged to a crowd and handed out red bean buns, a popular Japanese snack. The article notes Huang's tradition of eating local food on business trips, citing past stops in Beijing, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and South Korea.
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US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent joined Japanese authorities in a rare coordinated yen intervention, reportedly proposing a $5-10 billion US purchase of yen. This marks the first joint US-Japan currency intervention since 2011 and signals a major shift in US foreign exchange policy. The move has already impacted currency and bond markets.
US Treasury Secretary Bessent joined Japan in a coordinated yen intervention, proposing a $5-10 billion US purchase of yen to strengthen the currency.
This is the first joint US-Japan currency intervention since 2011, aimed at reversing months of yen depreciation that gave Japan a trade advantage.
The move signals a major shift in US foreign exchange policy and has already impacted currency and bond markets.
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