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] In Japan, the evening economy was valued at US$ 150 billion in 2024, with projections rising to US$ 220 billion by 2033. Mixmag Asia
• [New] Japan Prioritizes Quality and Functional Packaging Japan is projected to expand at a CAGR of 5.1%. openpr
• [New] Jewelmer said its fine jewelry pieces featuring South Sea pearls of exceptional size and luster are expected to enjoy robust demand in key markets in Asia, particularly China and Japan, alongside emerging markets across Southeast Asia. JEWELLERYNET
• [New] Japan is expected to grow at 8.2%, driven by advanced technology adoption, event security requirements, and smart city developments. FactMr
• [New] JMA Advisories: Japan's megaquake advisory system is relatively new; maintain awareness of elevated seismic risk periods. Through my Asian lens
• [New] Japan faces a significantly elevated long-term seismic risk that is unrelated to El Nino but compounds the 2026 disaster outlook. Through my Asian lens
• [New] A megaquake could cause catastrophic fatalities and economic losses exceeding ¥292 trillion (~ $1.9 trillion USD). / Japan Through my Asian lens
• [New] Japan Megaquake Risk: Independent of El Nino, Japan faces a 60-94.5% probability of a magnitude 8-9 earthquake along the Nankai Trough in the next 30 years, with a short-term advisory issued after a recent M7.7 event. Through my Asian lens
• [New] Key Outlook for 2026: The world faces a high-impact year marked by the likely onset of a strong El Nino event and a significantly elevated risk of a mega earthquake in Japan. Through my Asian lens
• [New] Japan unleashes massive yen interventions, burning billions to stem depreciation that now threatens carry trades unwinding globally. TheEye
• [New] U.S. pork shipments will continue to expand, supported by strong demand from Mexico, Japan, and key Latin American markets. Swineweb.com - Complete Swine News, Markets, Commentary
• [New] Japan is already aiming to have private methane hydrate mining companies operational in its seas by 2030. Marine Technology News
• [New] Growing Australia-Japan defence ties are likely a model of how U.S. allies will develop alternative security pacts. ZeroFOX
• [New] Strengthening U.S.-Japan cooperation in economic security - thereby reducing U.S. vulnerabilities and reinforcing deterrence - will be critical to stabilizing U.S. strategy in an increasingly uncertain era. Institute of Geoeconomics(IOG) by Asia Pacific Initiati
• [New] Launched in 2022, GCAP is a trilateral initiative between Japan, the United Kingdom, and Italy aimed at fielding a sixth-generation stealth combat aircraft by 2035. Ronin's Grips Analytics
• [New] When stakes were not as high, Japan could tell itself that the Free and Open Indo-Pacific strategy first formulated by the Abe administration could deliver through trade and development aid. Atlantic Council
• [New] Japan's commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050, combined with its historically heavy dependence on fossil fuels and nuclear power, creates one of the most complex and consequential energy transitions on earth. Tech for Impact Summit
• [New] Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries and other Japanese arms firms will now be permitted to sell weapons to 17 countries. World Socialist Web Site
• [New] Global data center electricity consumption reached 460 terawatt-hours in 2022, equivalent to the world's 11th-largest national electricity consumer, and projects that it may approach 1,050 terawatt-hours by the end of 2026, which would place it fifth globally, between Japan and Russia. Combating Terrorism Center at West Point
• [New] Internationally, countries like Japan are preparing to launch commercial AAM operations as early as 2027-28, underscoring a global race to establish automated air taxi services. eplaneai
• [New] Japan forms financial cyber taskforce after AI concerns - Japan said in Tokyo that it will establish a taskforce to address cybersecurity risks in the financial system following concerns linked to Anthropic's Mythos AI model [APAC]. Digital Forensics Magazine
• [New] Japan has created a financial-sector task force to examine AI-related cybersecurity risks, especially amid concerns about advanced models that can find vulnerabilities faster than institutions can patch them. Tech Startups - Tech News, Tech Trends & Startup Fundin

Last updated: 09 May 2026