Capital of Japan and a megacity, shaping regional policy and global finance
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has ground toward a halt this weekend as a 60‑day ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran has reached its expiry and negotiations remain stalled. Kpler data shows single‑digit daily transits; Iran has repeated demands that the U.S. lift its naval blockade, remove sanctions and pay reparations, while the U.S. says it can maintain the blockade indefinitely and is planning further economic pressure.
A wave of updates across Uber, Waymo, Baidu, and others is redefining autonomous-vehicle deployment in major markets. Partnerships are shifting, apps are expanding beyond rides, and regulators are sharpening standards. The evolving ecosystem is accelerating, with major players preparing for broader rollout in 2028 and beyond.
Papua New Guinea has closed Taiwan’s Taipei Economic Office, a move Beijing calls a consolidation of ties and a win for the One-China principle. China welcomes the decision as the Pacific shifts its diplomatic footprint amid Taiwan’s dwindling regional presence.
International researchers find inherited genetics influence how cancers evolve after DNA damage, affecting tumour growth and mutation patterns. The Edinburgh-led work, published in Nature, underlines implications for screening, diagnosis and personalised treatment across populations.
The Prime Minister and Burnham-era wardrobe are being highlighted through British manufacturing, with Manchester’s Private White V.C. drawing attention for its locally made garments. Reports show the PM buys pieces himself, bolstering a narrative of national production and craftsmanship amid scrutiny over cost and image.
Noah Lyles delivers a world-leading 9.79s in the 100m and confirms dominance as Sha’Carri Richardson wins the women’s 100m; Melissa Jefferson-Wooden defends her 200m title as Olympic cycle shifts with the Ultimate Championships on the horizon.
The weekend has seen a pause in Iran’s retaliatory strikes as talks with Oman progress on safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The US has held off further strikes, while Yemen’s Houthi actions have expanded and crude prices have eased from earlier spikes, though Brent remains above $90 a barrel.
Dr. Gunther von Hagens, inventor of plastination and creator of Body Worlds, has died at 81 after a cerebral haemorrhage following a Parkinson’s diagnosis. His death comes as Body Worlds remains a global, controversial phenomenon in anatomy and public spectacle.
A powerful earthquake on Kyushu’s Kumamoto prefecture has injured dozens and damaged infrastructure. A mall explosion is being investigated. Authorities have ordered evacuation centres for around 300,000 residents and are monitoring aftershocks.
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake strikes Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, knocking out power for tens of thousands, suspending rail services, and prompting tsunami warnings. Authorities report injuries and structural damage as emergency responses unfold and assessments continue.
A major earthquake has struck Kyushu, Japan, triggering a collapse at a shopping mall and a mill chimney, with dozens dead or missing. Power and water outages affect tens of thousands as temperatures rise. Rescuers are racing to reach survivors amid aftershocks and ongoing heat.
Tech firms report sustained AI-driven demand for memory chips has pushed prices up, with Samsung and SK Hynix signaling multi-year capacity plans. Analysts caution that bets on AI infrastructure will keep capacity tight, while consumer electronics pricing remains elevated.
The government has scheduled an autumn budget for October 28 to extend public investment while sticking to fiscal rules. Leaders say the plan will fund devolution, defence, and growth strategies, but analysts warn higher borrowing costs and inflation pressures from the Iran conflict could constrain room for new spending.
A coordinated U.S.-Japan intervention in late July has only temporarily strengthened the yen. The currency has given back roughly half the gains from the operation and is trading near ¥159–¥160 to the dollar as of mid-August. Analysts say the yield gap between U.S. and Japanese debt and Japan's domestic policy mix are keeping downward pressure on the yen.
The Kumamoto earthquake has left at least 13 dead and thousands displaced. Rescue teams face sweltering heat and power cuts as evacuation centers struggle to keep residents cool and hydrated. Authorities confirm ongoing aftershocks and intensified relief efforts as water and fuel shortages complicate response.
South Korea is experiencing an unprecedented heatwave. Yangsan records 42.5C, the hottest on record; Seoul and other cities face severe heat warnings. Authorities have activated new disaster measures, deploy cooling efforts, and warn residents to stay indoors and hydrate as power demand and health risks rise.
Global automakers have updated forecasts as the yen sits around ¥150-¥160 per dollar. Toyota lifts its full-year operating profit outlook; Nissan reports a quarterly reversal to profit with improving US and Japan demand amid currency dynamics and regional disruptions.
Top authorities have coordinated a yen intervention to stall a slide in the currency, a move that strengthens yen but leaves questions about long-term fiscal and monetary policy. The effort reflects growing geopolitical ties and a shared aim to curb disorderly moves that could threaten global markets.
Japan has bolstered its military capabilities, prioritizing domestic drone development and long-range missiles as deterrence against China. Cabinet defence paper stresses speed, expanded arms production, and a shift toward homemade unmanned weapons to offset a shrinking workforce.
Three female lions die at Tama Zoological Park in Tokyo amid a record heatwave. Ten lions have fallen ill since mid-July, and staff are treating several others while air-conditioned enclosures and cooling measures are being deployed.
Japan’s defence white paper warns that the Indo-Pacific faces serious security risks, with China’s worsening stance, North Korea’s missile advances, and China-Russia cooperation. Tokyo says it will strengthen its defence and economic links to deter potential crises in East Asia.
The WTA has instituted one-off mandatory gene-testing for all players to compete at the 2028 Olympics, aiming to distinguish biological sex from gender identity. Players including Sabalenka have supported the policy, while critics warn of privacy and rights concerns. The policy has drawn comparisons to other sports and sparked debate about transgender athletes in competition.
Jetstar has introduced a size-based carry-on policy, charging for overhead locker space from February 2027. Each booking includes one small item; larger bags incur fees between AUD 25 and AUD 52 depending on route. The change aims to streamline boarding and reduce delays, with mixed reactions from travellers and analysts.
Tech shares across Asia buoyed by AI optimism, with notable gains in SK Hynix, Samsung, Kioxia, Advantest and TSMC as markets rebound from recent volatility and traders reassess AI investment momentum.
Honda has reported a healthy first-quarter profit and higher sales, driven by strong motorcycle demand in Brazil and India and improved performance in the U.S. and Japan. The company has raised its full-year profit forecast, even as it faces uncertainty from EV costs and external factors such as currency moves and a Kumamoto earthquake.
North Korea has issued a warning of stronger deterrence as the U.S.-South Korea Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises approach. Pyongyang contends that the drills are provocative and vows to respond with a new level of deterrence. Multiple missiles have been fired this week, with experts saying the launches are intended to pressure the allies.
Markets show insurers accelerating bond issuance, with private placements shortening maturities and Japanese insurers eyeing new borrowers as yields rise. Banks report unusual insurer-behavior in direct outreach for bond deals, while some companies miss payments on certain asset-backed securities, triggering scrutiny of credit dynamics.
A typhoon named Dolphin has struck Okinawa, injuring several and causing power outages. It threatens Kyushu and China, with authorities warning of heavy rain, winds, and flight disruptions across East Asia.
Pacific territories warn they were not consulted as the US considers auctioning seabed areas for mining. Officials say local communities fear ecological damage and food-security risks while governments push for clarity and consultations. The move comes amid broader debates over environmental safeguards and national sovereignty.
Typhoon Dolphin has weakened inland but continues to cause extreme rainfall and floods across Zhejiang, Shanghai and Fujian. Authorities have evacuated hundreds of thousands, canceled thousands of flights, and closed major attractions as the storm moves westward.
Survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki have long called for abolishing nuclear weapons, stressing lessons from the past. The 81st anniversaries are marked as Japan grapples with security debates amid contrasting government positions on nuclear deterrence. Attendees include dozens of countries; debate continues over Japan’s nuclear policy and the U.S. security umbrella.
Nvidia has enlisted six Wall Street firms to finance a $500 billion buildout of AI infrastructure, treating compute as a new asset class. The plan centers on financing data centers and GPU clusters for customers unable to pay upfront, with OpenAI-related projects and neoclouds in focus. Executives cite long-term value and revenue generation, while cautions focus on depreciation risk and China’s potential price competition.
England-based Jamaican Romell Glave has won European 100m gold with a 10.09, finishing ahead of Jeremiah Azu (10.16) on the second night of the European Championships in Birmingham. Azu earns silver as Britain secures a one-two, while Owen Ansah takes bronze. Hudson-Smith eyes a 400m final later.
Toyota former president Hiroshi Okuda has died at 93. He led the company from 1995, spearheading globalization and hybrid development, including the Prius. His tenure shaped Toyota’s global production network and governance, with succession continuing to probe the Toyoda family’s influence.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited Iturup (Etorofu), one of four islands Japan calls the Northern Territories, touring a fish-processing plant, a hospital and a school. Japan has protested: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi have said the visit is "absolutely unacceptable" and have summoned the Russian ambassador.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has downgraded its most severe warning for heavy rain in Chiba prefecture as rainfall subsides, but more rain is forecast. Rescue teams have evacuated and ferried stranded people, while dozens of homes are flooded and several deaths are reported amid ongoing power outages and transport disruptions.
AP News and The Guardian report on rising tensions over Yasukuni Shrine practices, including a clothing ban and debates about imperial succession, amid ongoing criticisms from China and South Korea and questions about Japan’s wartime legacy.
Record rainfall in Chiba prefecture has caused deaths, halted travel, and left tens of thousands without power as authorities warn of continuing flood and landslide risks amid a volatile typhoon season.
Koizumi pays respects at Yasukuni on the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender; the shrine commemorates 2.5 million war dead, including 14 convicted war criminals. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi does not attend, signaling a potential shift in diplomatic messaging amid regional tensions with China and South Korea. Chinese and South Korean officials condemn the visits; the emperor urges remembrance of wartime suffering.
Japan’s real GDP has grown at a 0.3% quarter-on-quarter pace in Q2, with annualized growth of 2.1%, driven by exports and government spending. Private spending has slipped, while energy costs and the Iran war have pressured prices. The Bank of Japan maintains a cautious outlook as wage growth remains tepid.