AGP Executive Report

Imperial House: Japan’s revised succession law took effect, preserving male-only succession and excluding Princess Aiko from the line to the throne. Rugby: Fiji beat Japan 34–28 in Tokyo, spoiling the Brave Blossoms’ centenary test. Cybersecurity: GMO asked the government to use its new cyber-defence powers after hackers breached a service and enabled fraudulent trades, amid a wider wave of attacks. Economy: Core inflation rose to 2.1% in September, topping the Bank of Japan’s target for the first time in nine months; the government is weighing changes to costly gasoline subsidies. Mountaineering: Two Japanese climbers missing on Nepal’s Gangapurna were found dead at about 6,300 metres. Space: Japan launched its MMX mission to collect samples from Mars’s moon Phobos, with a return to Earth planned for 2031.

Cybersecurity: App vulnerabilities may be behind attacks on Japanese firms, with AI possibly helping hackers find server weaknesses. PHP flaws also forced hundreds of websites offline, while Sagawa Express says data on up to 53 million shipments may have leaked. The government plans cyberattack simulations and a white-hat hacker team. Economy: Core inflation reached 2.1% in September, strengthening expectations of a possible BOJ rate hike. The government is reviewing gasoline subsidies as costs mount. Space: Japan’s MMX spacecraft is beginning a five-year mission to study Mars’s moons and bring back samples from Phobos by 2031. Culture: Nintendo creator Shigeru Miyamoto will become the first video game designer to receive Japan’s Order of Culture. Novelist Ryu Murakami, author of Almost Transparent Blue, has died aged 74. Sports: Hideki Matsui has been named manager of the Yomiuri Giants, and Japan’s Sora Matsushima and Miwa Harimoto won the mixed-doubles title at the Asian table tennis championships.

Economy: Japan’s core inflation reached 2.1% in September, above the Bank of Japan’s target for the first time in nine months, adding to expectations of a rate hike. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is also reviewing fuel subsidies as energy-supply risks grow. Data & Cybersecurity: Sagawa Express says information linked to as many as 53.23 million shipments may have been exposed, including names, addresses and phone numbers. A separate software flaw disrupted services at banks, airlines and government websites. National Security: The government has introduced a bill requiring prior approval for land deals near military facilities and remote border islands. Japan also says it has been denied access to journalist Yuki Imai, detained in Russia on spying allegations. Culture: Novelist Ryu Murakami, author of Almost Transparent Blue, has died at 74. Nintendo creator Shigeru Miyamoto will become the first video-game developer to receive Japan’s Order of Culture. Space: Japan’s MMX spacecraft is on a five-year mission to collect samples from Mars’ moon Phobos and return them to Earth. Tragedy: Rescuers recovered the bodies of two Japanese climbers who died on a remote Himalayan peak in Nepal.

Economy: Japan’s core inflation rose to 2.1% in September, above the Bank of Japan’s target for the first time in nine months, strengthening expectations of further rate hikes. But the economy minister said Japan is not yet officially out of deflation. Manufacturing growth also slowed to a seven-month low, though services expanded. Weather: Typhoon Champi is moving toward southern Japan, with Okinawa warned of powerful winds, high waves and torrential rain. Tourism: From Nov. 1, foreign visitors will pay consumption tax upfront and claim refunds when leaving Japan, a change aimed at curbing resale abuse. Technology: Japan’s MMX spacecraft has launched on a mission to collect samples from Mars’ moon Phobos and return them to Earth. Separately, PHP security flaws prompted some Japanese companies and government sites to suspend online services; officials reported no damage. Wages: Japan’s largest labor federation plans to seek around 6% pay increases next spring. Sport: Daiki Hashimoto won his fourth consecutive men’s all-around title at the world gymnastics championships.

Cybersecurity: Japan partially suspended government websites as agencies and companies rushed to patch critical PHP flaws; officials reported no damage. Tourism: From Nov. 1, visitors must pay consumption tax upfront and claim refunds when leaving Japan, a bid to curb resale abuse. September arrivals fell 5% to 3.1 million, though visitor spending hit a record for January–September. Security: The government is considering counting AI, satellites and infrastructure toward defense spending as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi faces scrutiny over her military buildup. Wages: Japan’s largest labor union will seek a pay rise of around 6% next spring, citing persistent living-cost pressures. Technology: SoftBank and Nokia plan a 2027 commercial trial in Japan to run AI and mobile-network workloads on shared infrastructure. Sports and Rescue: Japan’s women won a world gymnastics team bronze, their first in 60 years, while rescuers search for two Japanese climbers missing in Nepal.

Economy: Japanese banks report stronger corporate demand for funds despite the Bank of Japan’s rate hikes. September exports grew 16.7% year on year, but Japan still posted a ¥536.6 billion trade deficit. The government is prioritizing chips and video games in its near-term growth plan, with AI and robotics as longer-term bets. Trade & Security: China is defending rare-earth export curbs on Japan, raising concerns about supplies of yttrium, a key industrial mineral. Japan and the US are also holding large-scale Keen Sword drills with regional partners. Tourism: Foreign arrivals fell 5% in September, while visitor spending reached a record ¥7 trillion in January-September. A November shift from tax-free shopping to refunds has retailers worried about deterring big spenders. Public Safety: A data breach at Burger King Japan exposed personal information linked to more than 11 million app records. In Akita, authorities issued the highest-level flood warning after record rain. Space: Japan has launched its MMX mission to collect samples from Phobos, a moon of Mars, and return them to Earth by 2031.

China-Japan Tensions: Beijing says export curbs on Japan are meant to prevent “remilitarization” and nuclear ambitions, as Tokyo seeks help easing rare-earth restrictions and faces a potential shortage of yttrium. Russia Dispute: Moscow accused Japanese journalists of espionage after detaining reporter Yuki Imai; Tokyo sent a senior diplomat to press for consular access and his release. Economy: Japan’s exports rose 16.7% in September, but soaring oil costs drove a 2.81 trillion-yen trade deficit in the first half of the fiscal year. Foreign visitors’ spending hit a record 7.06 trillion yen through September, despite a drop in visitor numbers. Takaichi’s First Year: The prime minister faces criticism over her military buildup and economic pledges, while her reported call for the Bank of Japan to buy more government bonds fuels debate over monetary policy. Space: Japan launched its MMX spacecraft on a landmark mission to collect samples from Mars’ moon Phobos and return them to Earth by 2031. Sport: Japan won its third straight men’s team gymnastics world title. Weather: Tokyo and Osaka recorded their latest-ever days above 30C, as unusual late-October heat swept across Japan.

Space: Japan has launched its MMX spacecraft on a landmark mission to collect samples from Mars’ moon Phobos and return them to Earth by 2031. Security: Large Japan-U.S. military exercises near the southwestern islands have drawn protests in Tokyo, where demonstrators warned that military expansion could raise regional tensions. Economy: September exports rose 16.7% year on year, led by chip demand, while Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama says Japan is nearing a shift to wage-driven inflation. Economists expect the Bank of Japan to raise rates again in December. The government is also considering another ¥400 billion investment in chipmaker Rapidus. Society: A survey found just 28.2% of parents with one young child want a second, a record low; many cited concerns about income. Cybersecurity: IwaiCosmo Securities says unauthorized trades affected seven customer accounts after a service provider was hacked. Separately, investigators linked a Chinese AI tool to attacks on Japanese companies. Diplomacy: Japan is urging Russia to release a detained Japanese journalist and allow consular access. Sport: Japan won its third consecutive men’s team title at the world gymnastics championships.

Space: Japan launched its MMX spacecraft on a world-first mission to collect samples from Phobos, Mars’ moon, and return them to Earth by 2031. Security: Large US-Japan drills around the southwestern islands included long-range missile deployments, drawing a “tit-for-tat” warning from North Korea. Diplomacy: China protested Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s offering to the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors convicted war criminals and remains a flashpoint with Japan’s neighbors. Economy: Tokyo-area condominium prices hit a record ¥114.94 million on average for April–September, up 21.1% year on year. Uniqlo will also raise prices on selected fall and winter items in Japan by an average of about 4%. Workforce: Japan plans to shift 20,000 skilled-worker visa slots toward caregiving as demand rises, while reopening some foreign-worker admissions for meal services. Universities: The education ministry has asked the University of Tokyo to review its next president’s selection process, the first such request to a university. Regional ties: Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is due in Tokyo Oct. 26–29 for talks on trade, investment and cooperation.

Monetary Policy: Japan’s economy minister says he respects the Bank of Japan’s independence, as markets watch for signals ahead of the bank’s October 29–30 meeting. Space: JAXA has launched its MMX spacecraft toward Mars’ moon Phobos in a first-of-its-kind mission to collect samples and return them to Earth in 2031. Security: Japan and the U.S. have begun major drills involving about 57,000 personnel, focused on defending southwestern islands amid regional tensions. Cybersecurity: A wave of breaches has hit Japanese organizations. JETRO reported 743 leaked records, while H2O Retailing said customer data for about 1.26 million people was compromised. Baseball: Hanshin Tigers star Teruaki Sato, who won the Central League Triple Crown, is seeking an MLB move through the posting system. Para sports: Nagoya is hosting Japan’s first Asian Para Games, bringing athletes from across the region to compete through October 24.

Space: Japan is set to launch its MMX spacecraft on Tuesday, beginning a five-year mission to collect samples from Phobos, Mars’ larger moon, and return them to Earth. Security: Japan and the U.S. have begun Keen Sword 27, a major exercise involving about 57,000 troops and focused on defending Japan’s southwestern islands amid regional tensions. Yasukuni: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi skipped a visit to the shrine but sent ritual offerings; three cabinet ministers and about 70 lawmakers visited, renewing friction with China and South Korea over Japan’s wartime past. Cybersecurity: A breach at karaoke operator Daiichi Kosho exposed personal information belonging to more than 8.7 million customers and employees, as experts warn that hackers are using stolen data to fuel targeted attacks. Politics and Economy: Takaichi has left open issuing government bonds to fund a proposed tax cut, as a poll showed support for her cabinet falling below 50%. Labor: Japan plans to resume accepting foreign workers for meal services at hospitals, care facilities and schools from next April, easing staffing shortages.

Space: JAXA is set to launch its Martian Moons eXploration mission on Tuesday, aiming to collect samples from Phobos and return them to Earth in the world’s first such mission. Para sport: Emperor Naruhito opened the Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan’s first time hosting the event, with athletes from 45 countries competing through Oct. 24. Politics and history: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sent another offering to Yasukuni Shrine, while a cabinet minister visited; the shrine honors convicted war criminals and remains a source of tension with China and South Korea. A Kyodo poll put her cabinet’s approval at a record low of 49.1%. Economy: BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda said underlying inflation is “quite close” to the 2% target, citing tight labor conditions and strong AI demand. Regional banks also reported record growth in property lending. Cybersecurity: Japan has logged 600 reported unauthorized-access incidents this year through September, as major companies disclose large customer-data leaks. Local politics: Atsumi Harasawa won Yokohama’s mayoral race and says she will not revive plans for a casino resort.

Space: Japan is preparing to launch its MMX spacecraft on Tuesday, aiming to bring back the first samples from a moon of Mars and shed light on how the moons formed. Asian Para Games: Emperor Naruhito opened the Aichi-Nagoya Games, which run through Oct. 24 and bring together athletes from 45 Asian nations. Politics: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s approval rating fell to 49.1%, its lowest since she took office, as voters criticized her handling of a departing farm minister. Her offering to Yasukuni Shrine also drew condemnation from China and South Korea. Security: Japan’s defense budget is set to reach a record $58 billion, with a corporate tax rise under consideration to help fund further increases. Industry: Japan approved TSMC’s plan to make advanced 3-nanometer chips in Kumamoto, with production expected by the end of 2028. Public safety: A northeastern Japan nuclear reactor shut down after a water leak, while forecasters warned of lightning, strong winds and heavy rain in eastern and western Japan through Tuesday.

Severe Weather: Typhoon Champi, the year’s 30th storm, is forecast to strengthen as it approaches waters south of Okinawa, putting Japan on alert after a deadly season. Nuclear Safety: Tohoku Electric shut down a reactor at the Onagawa plant for about 10 days after a faulty valve leaked water containing small amounts of radioactive material; the company says there is no danger beyond the facility. Regional Tensions: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sent an offering to Yasukuni Shrine, drawing condemnation from China and regret from South Korea amid disputes over Japan’s wartime history. Emergency Response: Japan withdrew a mistaken magnitude-9.9 earthquake alert, issued after a powerful quake near Russia, and apologized; the warning disrupted transport. Economy: The IMF projects Japan will fall to sixth in nominal GDP rankings in 2027, behind India and the U.K., with the weak yen a major factor. Industry: Japan plans to invest up to $21 billion in two GlobalFoundries chip factories in New York, with production at the first plant expected in 2029. Trade Enforcement: Japan’s Finance Ministry plans to strengthen customs powers to stop exports of untraced gold used in tax evasion.

Security: Japan and the United States will begin large-scale drills on Oct. 19, involving nearly 60,000 personnel. The exercises have drawn local opposition, particularly over missile deployments in southwestern Japan. Emergency Alert: Japan withdrew a mistaken magnitude 9.9 earthquake warning eight minutes after issuing it on Friday. The alert halted Tokaido Shinkansen services for about 15 minutes; no cyberattack was involved. Diplomacy: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sent an offering to Yasukuni Shrine but did not visit. South Korea voiced regret over the move, which it says glorifies Japan’s wartime past. Economy: Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said the central bank will not tolerate underlying inflation rising further above 2% and signaled more rate hikes. Population: Foreign residents in Japan reached a record 4.28 million, as the number of foreign children also rose sharply despite the country’s shrinking child population. Baseball: The DeNA BayStars rallied past the Hanshin Tigers to reach the Japan Series, where they will face the SoftBank Hawks.

Emergency Alert: Japan’s weather agency apologized after mistakenly warning of a magnitude 9.9 earthquake, then withdrawing the alert eight minutes later. The actual quake struck near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula; train services were disrupted. Diplomacy: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sent an offering to Yasukuni Shrine for its autumn festival but is expected to skip a visit, amid tensions with China and South Korea. Russia has detained a Japanese journalist on alleged spying charges and denied Japanese diplomats access. Security: North Korea says it tested a new AI-guided torpedo system in the Sea of Japan, as Tokyo weighs a broader security overhaul. Cybersecurity: Burger King Japan says a breach exposed about 11.18 million customer records, adding to a wave of cyberattacks affecting Japanese businesses. Science: JAXA is preparing to launch its MMX spacecraft to explore Mars’ moon Phobos and bring samples back to Earth. Business: Japan’s three largest banks completed a joint trial of a yen stablecoin for corporate payments. Local policy: Mie Prefecture has approved Japan’s first ordinance allowing fines for customer harassment.