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] Japan is experiencing the fastest ageing of its population, with 47 people older than 65 per 100 working-age adults in 2015, up from 19 in 1990, and rising to 80 by 2060. OECD
• [New] Japan's 2030 Strategic Energy Plan targets 24 GW of battery storage capacity to address renewable energy variability, creating a high-growth opportunity for grid-connected storage integration software and communication infrastructure providers. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Japan aims to increase hydrogen consumption to 12 million tons annually by 2040, creating significant opportunities for CO2 hydrogenation technologies and catalyst deployment. Straits Research
• [New] An ageing workforce, sustained public investment in robotics research, and strong demand from automotive and electronics manufacturers are expected to maintain Japan's position as a leading center for robotic engineering and advanced manufacturing. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Japan is expected to hold the largest share in Asia Pacific, accounting for around 30% of regional revenue in 2026. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Similar approval initiatives in regions such as California and Japan are expected to accelerate commercialization and support growth across premium vehicle categories. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Japan plans to expand local production of cutting-edge chips with Rapidus, a semiconductor company founded in 2022, in the coming years. atradius
• [New] Japan's electronics production is expected to grow by 2.4% in 2026 and by 3.9% in 2027. atradius
• [New] Fastest-Growing Segment: Software represents the fastest-growing component, expanding at a CAGR of 7% from 2026 to 2033, supported by utility adoption of AI-driven demand forecasting, VPP orchestration platforms, and cloud-based SCADA solutions enabled by METI's Digital Grid Roadmap. / Japan Persistence Market Research
• [New] The Pokemon Company will now employ the use of facial recognition technology for school-aged customers and older in five pop-up shops in Japan. New York Post
• [New] Russian assistance could help North Korea build a group of reconnaissance satellites capable of monitoring South Korea, Japan and U.S. military facilities more frequently. UPI
• [New] Japan's participation in a $40bn nuclear power project in the US has hit a roadblock over fears that its lenders might have to assume liability for any meltdown on American soil. Electricity Info
• [New] Capital flows toward the highest risk-adjusted return, and as long as the cost of money in Japan sits materially below the return available overseas, carry positions rebuild. investing.com
• [New] Japan's 7th Strategic Energy Plan envisions a power source mix for fiscal year 2040 of 40-50% renewable energy, approximately 20% nuclear, and 30-40% thermal power. note
• Japanese researchers have built a pair of clocks which they say are so accurate they will lose a second only every 16 billion years - longer than the Earth has been around. Khaleej Times
• The Bank of Japan kept rates unchanged at 1.0%, as widely expected, with one dissenting vote calling for further tightening. / Japan investing.com
• SoftBank Corp. will be the first customer to deploy SN50 within its AI data centers in Japan. AIMultiple
• Japan, together with the G7 and other like-minded countries, will further promote the World Bank Group's Resilient and Inclusive Supply chain Enhancement Partnership and cooperate with other MDBs such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Prime Minister's Office of Japan
• Japan plans to convene the UHC High-Level Forum 2026 in December of this year. Prime Minister's Office of Japan
• As Japan establishes its own intelligence agency, which will coordinate closely with its American counterpart, the US should consider adding Japan as an excepted foreign state for purposes of investment screening. Hudson Institute

Last updated: 22 August 2026