Capital of Japan and a global megacity
Global government bond yields have risen to multi‑decade highs this week after renewed US–Iran fighting pushed oil toward $90–$97 a barrel and revived inflation fears. Governments from the UK to the US and Japan have paid higher borrowing costs; central banks are signalling tighter policy and markets are pricing more rate rises, lifting mortgage and corporate loan rates.
American Airlines is retrofitting its Boeing 777-300ER fleet to feature 144 premium seats and eliminate Flagship First. The move expands business-class capacity while keeping some premium offerings and lounges in the works, as part of broader premium-travel push.
A new Oasis documentary charts their 2025 reunion tour, showing Liam and Noel Gallagher reconciling and delivering a stadium-scale return. Directors Will Lovelace and Dylan Southern capture rehearsals, the Cardiff comeback, and fan ecstasy, while exploring why the music endures across generations.
The Koronea Family Office has spent almost $70 million to take a controlling stake in Atlas Trafo, part of a broader push to build an international power engineering group around ZPUE, a Polish industrial legacy. The strategy reflects a private family-backed move into cross-border acquisitions.
The EU Commission has proposed a framework to let cities curb short-term rentals in areas facing housing stress, with rules that require evidence-based, non-retroactive measures. The plan aims to stabilize urban housing by guiding local enforcement while protecting the housing supply and noting industry pushback.
A technical fault in the UK air traffic control provider NATS has caused widespread cancellations and delays at major airports on 8–9 September 2026, disrupting hundreds of thousands of passengers. NATS has fixed the flight processing error and apologised; Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has ordered an independent review and given CEO Martin Rolfe a week to report. Airlines and passengers are still clearing a backlog.
Japanese government bond yields have climbed toward three-decade highs, prompting investors to rethink cross-border funding. Domestic demand is strengthening, and overseas holdings are retreating as the yen attracts more home capital. The shift could ripple through global bond markets, including Treasuries and European debt.
Oil prices have risen above $108 a barrel as Middle East tensions escalate, with markets watching U.S. inflation data and the Federal Reserve meeting. Global stock indices are mixed, and Treasuries remain volatile as energy costs weigh on households and corporate margins.
Tributes pour in for Isao Harimoto, the Hit Machine, as his legacy of 3,085 hits, 504 home runs and 319 stolen bases is remembered. The Golden Players Club confirms his passing at 86, reflecting a career that shaped Nippon Professional Baseball.
A wave of reviews from BBC, The Independent and The Guardian assess Marvel’s Wolverine, praising its combat and visual design while debating its linear structure and violence. Insomniac’s shift from Spider-Man’s open world to a more guided path is seen as a gamble with potential rewards and drawbacks.
Keely Hodgkinson wins the 800m at Athlos London in 1:56.40, wearing Nike’s all-black speed suit designed to reduce drag and regulate temperature. The event, outside New York for the first time, features an all-women format with a Tiffany crown and a $65,000 prize for winners. The season-ending meet aims to spotlight female athletes and redefine track and field’s spectacle.
Japan is accelerating defense planning amid heightened activity around the Nansei Islands. Tokyo argues strengthening the defense system is essential to protect the country and Okinawa, while local concerns warn against making the region a larger target.
World Athletics has awarded Nairobi the 2029 World Championships, marking Africa’s first hosting of the event. Munich will stage 2031, while London and Rome miss out. Kenya touts upgrades to Kasarani Stadium and infrastructure as a historic milestone for African sport.
Japan has 107,677 centenarians, the highest global figure, with 88% women. The country’s aging population coexists with a shrinking birth rate, pressuring social security and the economy. Officials cite medicine, diet, and active living as key factors, while authorities warn of fiscal strain as the population declines.
China dominates the pool at the Asian Games, with Zhang Yufei and Yu Zidi among the standout performers, as records fall and new talents emerge ahead of Budapest 2027 and the 2028 Olympics.
Typhoon Dujuan has brought sustained winds of 130–144 km/h, prompting evacuations across multiple prefectures. Airports have canceled dozens of flights, trains are suspended, and power cuts affect tens of thousands as officials warn of record rainfall and landslide risk. The storm is moving northeast, with authorities forecasting further heavy rain.
US ambassador to China David Perdue has said President Donald Trump asked Xi Jinping whether China would like to buy US weapons. The State Department has reiterated that US law prohibits arms sales to China and there is no plan to sell. The comments come as Washington has paused a roughly $14bn arms package to Taiwan.
Kobayashi’s company is the focus of buyout talks led by CVC Capital Partners and Nippon Sangyo Suishin Kiko, with Toho and domestic funds showing interest. The discussions aim to take the company private, buoyed by a preexisting impact from a 2024 supplement scandal and hopes for a premium for shareholders.
Ohashi has secured multiple golds at the Asian Games, including a world-record 200m breaststroke and a series of freestyle titles, highlighting Japan and China’s ongoing supremacy in swimming as Tokyo hosts a broader sports programme.
Rivet has rolled out a new approach to dating by letting volunteer matchers rate potential couples, aiming to prioritize quality connections over sheer volume. The system blends personality data with AI-generated visuals and social votes, while keeping the final dating decision in the hands of the individuals involved.
Heavy, near‑continuous rain since late September has dumped roughly 300–330mm across Bangkok, forcing the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to declare all 50 districts disaster zones. Major roads and canals have flooded, thousands of households have been affected and airports and businesses have suffered disruptions as authorities pump water and open shelters.
Japan hosts a delayed, chaotic Asian Games with logistical issues shadowing standout performances. China leads in diving and tennis through young stars like Yu Zidi and Wang Xiyu; Japan and other nations show flashes of talent while organisers face criticism over accommodation and transport.
Nidec has reported significant writedowns and accounting irregularities, sending its bonds and shares lower amid leadership shake-ups and a delayed filing. PwC Japan has refused to sign off on its statements, prompting questions about the company’s financial stability and future reporting.
A US Marine has been arrested in Naha on suspicion of murdering a 39-year-old Japanese woman and stealing her belongings. Governments demand full cooperation, insist stricter discipline, and Okinawa residents rally as protests widen. Authorities are coordinating with Japanese prosecutors as the US forces face renewed scrutiny over crime linked to personnel.
India secures multiple medals across disciplines at the Asian Games in Japan, with Neeru Dhanda’s trap gold, Vithya Ramraj’s 4x400m haul, and Sahil Jadhav’s archery success highlighting triumphs against financial and logistic hurdles.
The International Olympic Committee has confirmed a handful of countries are engaging in continuous dialogue to bid for future Olympic Games. A deadline of October 31 is set for formal interest, with shortlisting and feasibility assessments to follow between 2027 and 2029. Ahmedabad, Munich and Cape Town are among the cities named in emerging bids for 2036 and beyond.
Regulators have begun examining Japan’s top beer makers over alleged cartel-like price coordination. Officials have raided Asahi, Kirin, Sapporo and Suntory, while all four firms acknowledge cooperation with investigators and say they will respond fully.
What happened has prompted Japan and the U.S. to reassess security measures on Okinawa after a Marine's alleged killing of a local woman sparked protests, a 48-hour pause, and a 30-day curfew for troops. Governors, ministers, and diplomats are pushing for preventive steps amid calls to reduce the base burden.