Global Scans · Japan · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: The latest sign of weakness in Japan's economy will likely add to mounting skepticism about the prime minister's expansionary policies. His coalition government has just achieved the supermajority it needs to amend the constitution which many are worried that Japan is about to remove the mask of pacificism and convert its "Self-Defense Force" into the military threat it really is.

• [New] President Trump's tariff delay offers hope for trade deals with Japan, South Korea, and the EU, while smaller exporters face uncertainty. The Economic Times
• [New] USDA corn inspections reached 1.49 Mt, up 30 pc YoY; Japan and South Korea remain major buyers but could be impacted by new tariffs. Grain Central
• [New] Talks with Japan have deteriorated, with Trump threatening elevated tariffs amid criticism of Japan's negotiation stance. AutoRebateForeX
• [New] The projected climb means Singapore will surpass the regional shopping hubs of Japan, China, and South Korea, cementing itself as a standout in Southeast Asia. Robb Report
• [New] Countries like Australia, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea are expected to improve as inflation gets controlled and demand for goods picks up. TechAnnouncer
• [New] FSMOne Malaysia expects global financial markets to remain volatile in 2025 but sees selective opportunities in Global Technology, Japan, Singapore and, cautiously, Malaysia. Nabalu News
• [New] Adding the major Asia-Pacific democracies of Japan, South Korea, and Australia will help keep the US interested and integrated with Europe. Indo-Pacific Insight
• [New] Automobile imports have become a hot topic again with US President Donald Trump deploying the threat of tariffs to pressure Japan to import more cars made in American. Economic Times
• [New] Japan cuts commercial food waste by 58%, marking major progress toward its 2030 goal of 100% reduction and driving sustainable practices in the food sector. FoodNavigator-Asia.com
• [New] Japan and South Korea are investing heavily in missile defence ISDs, particularly for interceptors against North Korean threats. Blogger
• [New] Japan's METI provides substantial R&D funding and deployment subsidies for solid-state battery development and pilot projects, recognizing their potential for higher energy density and safety. PW Consulting Chemical & Energy Research Center
• [New] Quakes are extremely hard to predict, but in January a government panel marginally increased the probability of a major jolt in the Nankai Trough off Japan in the next 30 years to 75-82 percent. Economic Times
• [New] Japan's Joint Operations Command is operationalizing the single-theatre concept, and the Squad grouping that includes the defence ministers of Australia, Japan, the Philippines and the United States will establish a coordinating center in December to enforce it. Interaksyon
• [New] Lockheed Martin's leverage over Italy and Japan threatens sixth-generation fighter development, locking the UK into F-35 dependency. Wavell Room
• [New] The Japanese government warned that a mega-earthquake of magnitude 8-9 could occur in the Nankai Trench at the end of March, correcting previous data. EADaily
• [New] In advanced economies, the Fed will likely ease policy more gradually than the European Central Bank while the Bank of Japan tightens policy prudently in the face of a virtuous wage-ination dynamic. Scribd
• [New] Global trade uncertainty persists, with Trump threatening new tariffs on Japan and other countries. Morningstar, Inc.
• [New] Japan and the Philippines last year signed a military agreement that could allow their soldiers on each other's soil. Interaksyon
• [New] Forces Japan currently comes under the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, based in Hawaii, but will gradually increase its command authority over the next few years. The Asahi Shimbun

Last updated: 12 July 2025