Japanese Politics

Business

CFTC Scraps Proposed Ban on Political and Sports Prediction Markets, Pledges New Regulatory Framework

In a major policy reversal, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission has formally withdrawn a contentious 2024 proposal that sought to outlaw event contracts tied to politics, sports, and conflict. Chairman Michael S. Selig dismissed the plan as a politically motivated overreach, signaling the agency's intent to regulate—not stifle—the fast-growing prediction market sector.

Feb 5, 2026

World

Japan's First Female PM Sanae Takaichi Poised for Landslide Victory in Snap Election

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's conservative coalition is projected to secure a commanding majority in Sunday's snap election, capitalizing on her high approval ratings and populist appeal, though her assertive foreign policy and economic measures continue to stir regional and market anxieties.

Feb 5, 2026

Business

Sony Surpasses Expectations with Strong Q3 Profit, Raises Full-Year Outlook on Music Strength

Sony Group Corp. posted a robust 22% jump in third-quarter operating profit, exceeding market forecasts. The Japanese conglomerate subsequently raised its annual profit guidance, pointing to the sustained performance of its music division as a key driver.

Feb 5, 2026

Business

Oil Markets Hold Breath as U.S.-Iran Talks Loom, Prices Stagnate

Crude oil futures showed minimal movement Thursday, caught between hopes for eased Middle East tensions from upcoming diplomatic talks and supportive supply data. Gasoline futures edged higher as traders weighed mixed signals from inventories and geopolitics.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Nichirei Foods Bets Big on US Market with $105 Million Arkansas Frozen Food Plant

Japanese food giant Nichirei Foods is investing heavily in its US subsidiary, InnovAsian Cuisine, to construct a major manufacturing facility in Jonesboro, Arkansas. The move aims to capitalize on growing demand for frozen Asian meals and is set to create approximately 200 local jobs.

Feb 4, 2026

US

Half a Billion Dollar Bill: The Steep Price of Domestic Military Deployments in 2025

A new Congressional Budget Office analysis reveals the staggering financial cost of deploying troops to American cities, raising profound questions about policy, politics, and civil-military boundaries.

Feb 4, 2026

World

Portugal Braces for Runoff as Polls Show Socialist Candidate Set to Block Far-Right's Presidential Bid

A final opinion poll indicates a commanding lead for moderate Socialist Antonio Jose Seguro over Chega's Andre Ventura in Sunday's decisive presidential vote, a contest seen as a referendum on the far-right's rising influence in Portuguese politics.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Mitsubishi Motors Posts Strong December Production Gain, Fueled by Domestic Surge

Mitsubishi Motors reported a 6.3% year-on-year increase in global vehicle production for December 2025, driven by a sharp 16% rise in domestic Japanese output, though overseas production and home market sales saw declines.

Feb 4, 2026

World

Second Australian Skier Dies in Japan Within Days as Severe Winter Conditions Claim Lives

A second Australian has died on Japanese slopes this week, following a separate fatal ski lift accident, as heavy snowfall and hazardous conditions raise safety concerns across the country's popular winter resorts.

Feb 4, 2026

US

Speaker Johnson Cites Scripture in Defense of Border Policy, Countering Pope's Critique

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Southern Baptist, offered a detailed biblical defense of strict immigration enforcement and the concept of assimilation, directly responding to Pope Leo XIV's earlier calls for compassion towards migrants. The exchange highlights the deepening intersection of theology and U.S. immigration politics.

Feb 4, 2026

World

Abe's Assassin Appeals Life Sentence, Setting Stage for Prolonged Legal Battle

Tetsuya Yamagami, convicted of assassinating former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, has formally appealed his life sentence, ensuring a protracted legal process that will revisit one of Japan's most shocking political crimes.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Beyond the Headlines: Unearthing Asia's Undervalued Small-Caps Amid 2026's Economic Crosscurrents

While global economic signals remain mixed, a closer look at Asia's small-cap landscape reveals resilient performers with strong fundamentals. We spotlight three Japanese companies—Nihon Dengi, DKS, and Enplas—that are delivering robust growth and sound financials, potentially offering a haven for discerning investors.

Feb 3, 2026

World

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, Son of Late Libyan Dictator, Reportedly Assassinated at Home

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the British-educated son of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and once a pivotal figure in the country's politics, has been killed by unidentified gunmen, his adviser confirmed, casting a shadow over Libya's fragile stability.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Shionogi Shares Surge as Cost Discipline Drives Profits Higher Than Sales

Japanese pharmaceutical firm Shionogi & Co. reported robust nine-month results, with net income growth significantly outpacing revenue increases. The performance highlights the company's effective cost management and strategic portfolio shifts, though analysts caution that future growth hinges on key pipeline products and regulatory approvals.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Crypto.com Launches 'OG' Prediction Platform, Blending Social Features with Regulated Event Trading

Crypto.com has unveiled 'OG,' a new prediction market platform that combines social engagement with CFTC-regulated contracts on sports, politics, and entertainment, introducing margin trading to the sector for the first time.

Feb 3, 2026

World

French Authorities Summon Elon Musk for Questioning as Part of Probe into X's Algorithm and Content

French cybercrime prosecutors have summoned Elon Musk and former X CEO Linda Yaccarino for voluntary interviews, following raids on X's Paris offices. The investigation, supported by Europol, examines potential algorithmic interference in French politics and the spread of harmful content via the Grok AI chatbot.

Feb 3, 2026

World

Yen in Turmoil: PM's Campaign Rhetoric Undermines Tokyo's Currency Defense

As Japan and the U.S. coordinate to stabilize the yen, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's impromptu praise for a weak currency has sent officials scrambling to contain the fallout and protect fragile market confidence ahead of a snap election.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Amgen Ends Rocatinlimab Partnership, Refocuses Pipeline as Shares Trade at Premium

Amgen has terminated its collaboration with Kyowa Kirin on the atopic dermatitis drug rocatinlimab, handing full development rights back to the Japanese partner. The strategic shift comes as Amgen's stock trades above most fair value estimates, raising questions about its current valuation amid pipeline recalibration.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Hokuetsu's Leadership Shake-Up and Sales Revamp: A Turnaround Bet or a Risky Pivot?

Following a significant boardroom reshuffle and a strategic overhaul of its sales divisions, Japanese paper giant Hokuetsu (TSE:3865) finds itself at a critical juncture. With its stock showing signs of undervaluation against a backdrop of volatile returns, investors are weighing the potential of its new direction against the risks of execution.

Feb 3, 2026

US

Epstein Documents Reveal Extensive Network of High-Profile Connections

The release of millions of pages from the Jeffrey Epstein case by the U.S. Justice Department has unveiled the late financier's social and professional ties to a vast array of powerful figures across politics, finance, and tech, raising fresh questions about the scope of his influence.

Feb 3, 2026