Lin Lin

Nikkei reports that the domestic bond market is reacting in a way that suggests investors believe in the victory of Koizumi Shinjiro in the LDP presidential race. nikkei.com/article/DGXZQO…

The schedule has been officially decided. Japan's LDP leadership election campaign begins on September 22, vote takes place on October 4.

The race to replace Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has kicked off, with LDP heavyweight Toshimitsu Motegi on Monday becoming the first to announce his candidacy, a day after Ishiba said he would step down. ebx.sh/Cx7mPx

LDP politicians who will likely run in an early leadership election if Prime Minister Ishiba resigns instead of calling a snap election: ・Koizumi Shinjiro ("frontrunner") ・Takaichi Sanae ・Hayashi Yoshimasa ・Kobayashi Takayuki ・Motegi Toshimitsu

Days after China paraded advanced new weapons, Japan and Australia agreed to take defense and security ties to new heights and cooperate on evacuating each other's nationals from third countries in the event of a crisis. ebx.sh/FvpsZc

やっと(^^)

President Trump signs executive order implementing trade agreement with #Japan, including lowering auto tariffs from 27.5% to 15% as previously agreed. whitehouse.gov/presidential-a…

Read the latest on the renewed uncertainty in Japanese politics by @RinNishimura 👇

Now former Suntory Holdings CEO & Chairman Takeshi Niinami speaks to Asahi, saying he is innocent and plans to stay on as chairman of the Keizai Doyukai business lobby. No comment from the business group yet. asahi.com/articles/AST92…

Suntory CEO, and chair of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives, Takeshi Niinami, has tendered his resignation following a police investigation into whether he violated the law prohibiting possession of cannabis, according to a local media report. reutersconnect.com/all?id=tag%3Ar…

Nikkei reports that chief tariff negotiator Akazawa Ryosei’s visit to DC was canceled due to the U.S. side’s decision to try and include Japan’s commitment to increasing U.S. rice imports in the anticipated executive order. nikkei.com/article/DGXZQO…

How the world’s biggest carmakers are falling behind in software on.ft.com/47AlSvx

An attempt to promote friendship between Japan and countries in Africa has transformed into a xenophobic row about migration after inaccurate media reports suggested the scheme would lead to a “flood of immigrants”. theguardian.com/world/2025/aug…

Property price surge in Tokyo's prime areas sparks calls to curb foreign ownership cnbc.com/2025/08/21/tok…

Condo prices in Tokyo’s prime 23 wards have surged 64% since 2021, more than double the wider metro area’s rise, fueling political debate over curbs on foreign buyers (although little data exist on the scale of foreign buying in Japan). Read more: cnbc.com/2025/08/21/tok…

There has been some criticism directed at the Ishiba administration for not getting a written trade deal with Trump. The Washington Post reported in June that the Trump administration has been "very much moving away from things being in writing." Under such conditions, it isn't surprising that there was a miscommunication within the US government about what tariff rates should be levied against Japan.

The LDP will convene a joint plenary session in the afternoon today, where lawmakers are expected to call on PM Ishiba to resign. Recall provision exists but has never succeeded in the party’s history. PM has to voluntarily make decision to step down. nikkei.com/article/DGXZQO…

US to correct tariff order and make reimbursements, Japan envoy says s.nikkei.com/47j3LK6

The US imposed a 15% 'reciprocal' tariff on Japanese imports on Aug 7. Local media reports that the US is denying an exemption Tokyo insists should apply to certain products - exposing more cracks in the trade deal. asahi.com/ajw/articles/1… asahi.com/ajw/articles/1…

Cathay Pacific said during its earning release that its HK Express unit has faced headwinds, partly due to soft demand for travel to Japan. A viral manga 'predicting' an earthquake was one factor which has dampened sentiment. More here: cnbc.com/2025/07/31/asi…