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TJThe Japan Times

11 Nov 2026

BusinessCorporate GovernanceNvidia

Jensen Huang’s woes evoke sympathy, disbelief in his birthplace Taiwan

The Nvidia CEO admitted to having an affair with a woman who could have been a Chinese spy.

TJThe Japan Times

11 Nov 2026

PoliticsMental HealthIntelligence Community

Key takeaways

More suicides at U.S. spy, cyber agencies scrutinized by Congress
At least 11 National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command workers died by suicide over roughly the past year, officials and public records say.
1. 1. At least 11 National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command personnel died by suicide over roughly the past year, representing a higher toll than previously documented.
1. 2. White House and congressional staff questioned agency leaders in closed sessions following the cluster of intelligence worker deaths.
1. 3. Military commanders introduced policies to limit excessive shifts and provide greater mental health resources amid heavy workloads tied to foreign conflicts.

TJThe Japan Times

11 Nov 2026

Current EventsInternational RelationsCybersecurity

France supermarket hack marks new phase in Iran’s shadow war

Cyberattacks hit French supermarkets last month, forcing the disposal of entire inventories of perishable food.

TJThe Japan Times

10 Nov 2026

TechCybersecurityPublic Administration

Key takeaways

Amid questions over Japan’s cybersecurity, just how safe is the My Number system?
With over 80% of the population using My Number, concerns have emerged over the country's all-in-one card and the personal information stored in it.
1. 1. Japan's My Number system assigns a 12-digit digital identification giving access to tax, pension, medical, and family records.
1. 2. The Digital Agency maintains that decentralizing My Number records across local governments and businesses protects the network.
1. 3. Frequent corporate data breaches in Japan have intensified public concern that the My Number system could be compromised.

TJThe Japan Times

10 Nov 2026

ScienceClimate ChangeFossil Fuels

Fossil fuel emissions fall due to Iran war and renewables, research shows

The expected annual drop would be the first since 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic paralyzed the global economy, trade and transport.

TJThe Japan Times

10 Nov 2026

BusinessFederal ReserveForeign Exchange

Key takeaways

Top yen forecaster predicts ¥147 per dollar as rate gap narrows
The call puts him at the bullish end of a deeply divided market.
1. 1. Neil Parker projects the Japanese yen will rally toward 147 per dollar as the US-Japan interest-rate gap narrows.
1. 2. Neil Parker expects the Bank of Japan to raise its benchmark rate from 1.25% to at least 2%.
1. 3. While Parker sees the yen strengthening to around ¥155 by year-end before appreciating further, Bloomberg’s top forecaster in the previous quarter sees it weakening as far as ¥170 next year.

TJThe Japan Times

10 Nov 2026

PoliticsDiplomacyEuropean Union

Russia ‘pretending’ to negotiate on Ukraine while ‘bombing civilians’: Kallas

The European Union's foreign policy chief says Moscow has failed to respect the agreements underpinning European security it had already signed up to.

TJThe Japan Times

10 Nov 2026

BusinessGovernment SpendingFiscal Policy

Key takeaways

Takaichi’s hunt for new cash to fund spending harbors risks
The prime minister faces a year-end deadline to explain how to pay for initiatives ranging from a two-year food tax cut to a defense buildup.
1. 1. Finding non-debt revenue sources could reassure bond markets while sustaining public support.
1. 2. Unconventional cash-gathering methods risk eroding statutory safeguards and exposing taxpayers to higher financial liabilities.
1. 3. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi faces a year-end deadline to explain how she will finance major economic initiatives, including food tax cuts and defense spending.

TJThe Japan Times

9 Nov 2026

Current EventsElderly CareFrailty Prevention

Peer-support program for healthier aging gains ground in Sendai

The program, focused on frailty prevention, was launched in 2015, and similar programs are now active in more than 100 municipalities across Japan.

TJThe Japan Times

9 Nov 2026

Current EventsParaguayPresidential Impeachment

How a digital bank’s collapse toppled Paraguay’s president

Until March 2025, impeached Paraguayan President Santiago Pena had been a business partner of the group that owns Ueno Bank.

TJThe Japan Times

9 Nov 2026

PoliticsIsraeli PoliticsCoalition Formation

Key takeaways

Eisenkot gets chance to form Israeli government after vote
The ex-general has up to six weeks to try to form a coalition, failing which the task likely reverts to caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
1. 1. Israeli President Isaac Herzog formally tasked Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government.
1. 2. Gadi Eisenkot has six weeks to negotiate a parliamentary majority of at least 61 seats.
1. 3. The mandate to form a government likely reverts to Benjamin Netanyahu if Eisenkot fails.

TJThe Japan Times

9 Nov 2026

Current EventsDisaster PreparednessUrban Infrastructure

Cities turn to private parking garages for vehicle storage amid flood risks

Local governments in Japan are partnering with private businesses to give drivers a safe place to store their cars during heavy rain or flooding.

TJThe Japan Times

9 Nov 2026

Current EventsPress FreedomRussia

Key takeaways

Evan Gershkovich on prison, Russia and liberty
The reporter was the first U.S. journalist to be arrested on espionage charges in Russia since the Cold War before being freed in 2024.
1. 1. Evan Gershkovich became the first American journalist arrested on espionage charges in Russia since the Cold War when detained in March 2023.
1. 2. Evan Gershkovich was sentenced to 16 years in Russian prison and released in an August 2024 prisoner swap.
1. 3. In his recently released book “This Cursed Beautiful Land,” Gershkovich, an American citizen whose parents emigrated from the Soviet Union before he was born, details his experience in prison and the cast of characters that he met along the way, from cellmates to investigators.

TJThe Japan Times

8 Nov 2026

BusinessMonetary PolicyEuropean Central Bank

Dutchman and Spaniard in two-horse race for ECB presidency

While no other candidate was proposed before Friday's deadline, a surprise contender could yet appear, just like current ECB head Christine Lagarde did in 2019.

TJThe Japan Times

8 Nov 2026

ScienceGeologyOceanography

Key takeaways

JCG-discovered “Godzilla” seafloor formation wins heritage status
A megamullion is a dome-shaped seafloor structure formed when mantle rocks are exposed on the ocean floor was the seafloor spreads.
1. 1. The Godzilla Megamullion has been selected for the International Union of Geological Sciences list of 100 Geological Heritage Sites.
1. 2. Located on the Philippine Sea plate southeast of Okinotorishima, the dome-shaped formation measures roughly 125 kilometers long and 55 kilometers wide.
1. 3. The site was recognized as a globally significant geological reference point that aids ongoing scientific research into mantle structure and plate formation.

TJThe Japan Times

8 Nov 2026

LifestyleCultural ExchangeTelevision

Key takeaways

Azerbaijan welcoming ‘set-jetting’ fans of Japan TV drama ‘Vivant’
Fans of popular Japanese TV drama "Vivant" have flocked to Azerbaijan, where the second season of the hit series was filmed.
1. 1. Hankyu Travel International launched travel packages to Azerbaijan in cooperation with Tokyo Broadcasting System Television.
1. 2. Some fans of popular Japanese television drama “Vivant” have been flocking to Azerbaijan, hoping to see with their own eyes where the second season of the hit series was filmed.
1. 3. Speaking in a recent interview, Rashad Azizov, director-general of Azerbaijan’s Cinema Agency, said that the Japanese drama is making “history” by providing an “opening moment” to create a “bridge” between the two nations.

TJThe Japan Times

8 Nov 2026

Current EventsEmergency ServicesJapan

Key takeaways

Magnitude 5.7 quake injures dozens in central Japan
The quake struck at 1:04 am in Shizuoka Prefecture but no tsunami warning was issued.
1. 1. A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck central Japan on November 8, 2026, causing dozens of injuries and disrupting train service.
1. 2. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported the magnitude 5.7 quake struck at 1:04 am in Shizuoka Prefecture without triggering a tsunami warning.
1. 3. Local media reported at least 24 people were injured across Shizuoka and Aichi prefectures following the earthquake.

TJThe Japan Times

8 Nov 2026

BusinessArtificial IntelligenceData Centers

Can’t cook or shower: Indonesians take aim at data centers

Frustration is bubbling over in Indonesia and Malaysia — especially in regions bordering Singapore that are seen as a prime location for new tech facilities.

TJThe Japan Times

7 Nov 2026

PoliticsInternational Criminal CourtJapan Foreign Policy

Key takeaways

Japan eyes early contribution payment to ICC as court faces U.S. sanctions
If the sanctions are fully implemented as early as April next year, the ICC could be cut off from dollar-based settlements.
1. 1. Japan is considering advancing its 2027 financial contribution to the International Criminal Court to mitigate the impact of United States sanctions.
1. 2. The Japanese government may allocate advance funds for the International Criminal Court within a second supplementary budget for fiscal year 2026.
1. 3. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stated Japan will evaluate financial measures in coordination with International Criminal Court leadership and allied nations.

TJThe Japan Times

7 Nov 2026

Current EventsJapan DiplomacyOkinawa

Key takeaways

Japan eyes education programs for U.S. troops in Okinawa after recent robbery-murder
Among the recurrence prevention measures, which were agreed upon by both sides, are lectures on Okinawa's culture and history.
1. 1. The U.S. military extended a midnight to 5 a.m. curfew in Okinawa for lower-ranking personnel until December 7, 2026.
1. 2. The government will incorporate opinions of the prefecture into briefing materials provided to U.S. military personnel before their deployment to Japan.
1. 3. The U.S. Marine in question, deployed at a U.S. base in Okinawa, has been indicted for allegedly killing a woman in a guest room of a hotel in Naha, the capital of the prefecture, and stealing her belongings Oct. 3.

TJThe Japan Times

7 Nov 2026

TechNational SecuritySemiconductors

Key takeaways

China’s top spy agency recruited woman who targeted Nvidia’s Jensen Huang
Alice Huang, a Chinese executive who developed a relationship with Nvidia's leader, is believed to be an asset of the Ministry of State Security.
1. 1. An administration memo cited intelligence that a Chinese businessperson close to Nvidia's chief executive was an operative for China's Ministry of State Security.
1. 2. Chinese intelligence recruited Alice Huang to obtain semiconductor details and influence Nvidia to supply advanced chips to China.
1. 3. Jensen Huang occupies a pivotal position in international artificial intelligence competition and maintains ties to Donald Trump.

TJThe Japan Times

7 Nov 2026

BusinessGeopoliticsTrade Policy

Japan and China shifting toward selective economic dependence

One year into an ongoing political row, the neighbors are continuing to look for new opportunities while cutting risks.

TJThe Japan Times

7 Nov 2026

BusinessTrade PolicyJapan-China Relations

Key takeaways

Japan biz community working to ease tensions between Tokyo and Beijing
Leading business officials say it is necessary to approach relations from various angles, not just political and diplomatic ones.
1. 1. Chinese retaliation over Japanese political remarks resulted in severe travel advisories and dual-use export controls against Japan.
1. 2. Japan's trade minister confirmed domestic business concerns regarding access to stable rare earth supplies.
1. 3. Japanese commercial leaders intend to sustain private engagement with China despite strained official bilateral ties.

TJThe Japan Times

6 Nov 2026

BusinessInflationInterest Rates

Key takeaways

Bank of England raises rates for first time since 2023 and warns more likely
Policymakers said the amount of inflation pressure coming down the road after months of high energy prices required a rate rise now.
1. 1. The Bank of England raised interest rates for the first time in over three years due to sustained energy inflation pressures.
1. 2. The Bank of England projects British inflation will rise to around 5% in the middle of next year.
1. 3. The Bank of England warned that additional rate increases are likely if the international conflict continues.

TJThe Japan Times

6 Nov 2026

Current EventsConstitutional CrisisSomalia

Chaos in Somalia as president accused of arresting chief justice

Somalian President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared a "transition period" that gave him an extra year in office when his term ended in May.

TJThe Japan Times

6 Nov 2026

PoliticsCost of LivingFrench Politics

French protests draw 575,000 amid parliament budget impasse

The office of Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has announced he will call labor unions to a conference to present responses to their demands.

TJThe Japan Times

6 Nov 2026

Current EventsJapanese PoliticsBribery Trial

Key takeaways

Six-year sentence sought for former lawmaker in wind power bribery case
The trial is scheduled to conclude after final arguments from the defense in January.
1. 1. Public prosecutors sought a six-year sentence and a 42 million yen fine for former lawmaker Masatoshi Akimoto over wind power bribery charges.
1. 2. Prosecutors requested a three-year prison term for former Japan Wind Development president Masayuki Tsukawaki for offering bribes.
1. 3. The trial is scheduled to conclude after final arguments from the defense in January.

TJThe Japan Times

6 Nov 2026

PoliticsElectionsIsraeli Politics

Eisenkot tipped to seek Israel government with backing of Arab lists

Two Arab-majority lists won an unprecedented 19 seats in the Oct. 27 election, and both said they were backing Gadi Eisenkot.

TJThe Japan Times

5 Nov 2026

Current EventsOkinawaU.S. Military

U.S. Marine dies during training in Okinawa

The cause of death "is still under investigation," said a spokesman for the 3rd Marine Division.

TJThe Japan Times

5 Nov 2026

Business

Nidec scandal exposes limits of Japan reform, Muddy Waters says

Nidec has been mired in an accounting scandal since last year and faces potential delisting from the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

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