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] The G7 CEG has identified quantum computing as an area of both potential benefit and risk to the financial system. / Japan U.S. Department of the Treasury
• [New] G7 Advancing a Coordinated Roadmap for the Transition to Post-Quantum Cryptography in the Financial Sector [Japanese] Quantum computers have the potential to transform the financial sector by unlocking powerful new capabilities and opportunities. U.S. Department of the Treasury
• [New] Japan introduced its first Space Domain Defence Guidelines, emphasising satellite protection and countermeasures against anti-satellite threats, signalling a stronger integration of space into national security strategy. Bird & Bird
• [New] Japan is especially exposed, given its heavy reliance on imported Middle East energy, and is expected to grow by only 0.5% in 2026. niesr
• [New] The future will see Japan positioning itself as a regional leader in AI-enhanced cyber risk analytics, with a focus on industrial cybersecurity and cross-sector collaboration. Verified Market Reports
• [New] Japan's manufacturing, automotive, and financial sectors are increasingly integrating quantitative risk models to safeguard critical assets amid rising cyber threats from nation-state actors and organized cybercrime groups. Verified Market Reports
• [New] Japan's Green Innovation Fund allocated JPY 2 trillion for circular economy technology research through 2030. evolvancemarketresearch.com
• [New] The availability of capacity is still more limited for U.S.-exposed casualty risks, certain commercial automobile risks, and property and casualty risks in Japan. Artemis.bm - The Catastrophe Bond, Insurance Linked Sec
• [New] Growth opportunities are helped by government measures under the Society 5.0 initiative by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and continued investment in health cloud modernization. Dimension Market Research
• [New] Japan: Frictionless retail infrastructure demand in Japan is expected to grow at 22.6% CAGR through 2036 due to increasing investments in retail robotics, smart vending systems, AI-powered convenience retail, and autonomous store automation technologies. FactMr
• [New] Like Germany, Japan is rearming, planning to increase military spending by two-thirds by 2027, while Australia is acquiring nuclear submarines with US and UK assistance under the AUKUS pact. Counterfire
• [New] Japan Airlines launched a humanoid robot trial at Haneda Airport for baggage handling, aircraft towing, and cabin cleaning through 2028. / Japan LinkedIn
• [New] TSMC plans new packaging campuses in Japan, but completion dates slip into 2027. AI CERTs News
• [New] Revenue in China will almost double from US$5.8bn in 2020 to US$10.6bn in 2026, while Japan's growth will double from US$2.1bn to US$4.3bn. C21media
• [New] Japan may need over 6.5 million foreign workers by 2040 to maintain growth. CNBCTV18
• [New] Predictive Analysis: Air Kamui will likely secure additional procurement contracts with at least one other branch of Japan's self-defence Forces beyond the Maritime component, given Koizumi's explicit policy framing around cross-domain unmanned integration. Drone Warfare
• [New] Predictive Analysis: Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force will likely expand its procurement contract with Air Kamui beyond the target drone role to include expendable ISR or decoy applications, given the Defence Minister's public endorsement and the established supply relationship. Drone Warfare
• [New] Japan Airlines will start using humanoid robots in ground handling tasks at Tokyo's Haneda airport from May, in a two-year trial it said is aimed at easing employees' workload. BBC News
• [New] Japan will need more than 6.5 million foreign workers in 2040 to reach its growth targets as the indigenous workforce continues to shrink. The Guardian
• [New] JAL and its partner in the initiative, Japan Airlines GMO Internet Group, hope the experiment - which ends in 2028 - will lessen the burden on human employees amid a surge in inbound tourism and forecasts of more severe labour shortages. The Guardian
• [New] Japan's famously conscientious but overburdened baggage handlers will soon be joined by extra staff at Tokyo's Haneda airport - although their new colleagues will need to take regular recharging breaks. The Guardian
• In Japan, the evening economy was valued at US$ 150 billion in 2024, with projections rising to US$ 220 billion by 2033. Mixmag Asia

Last updated: 23 May 2026