Nuclear Policy & Civil Society: Japan’s A-bomb survivor group Hidankyo renewed its no-nukes pledge in Nagasaki ahead of its 70th anniversary, reiterating the campaign to prevent any “never again” victims. Defense & Procurement: Japan’s Defense Ministry is seeking a record ¥8.9 trillion for FY2027, with plans to expand drones and AI-enabled command-and-control as part of a broader military build-up. Carbon Capture & Heavy Industry: Kansai Electric Power and Kawasaki Heavy are moving toward the first off-site transport of captured CO2 from a coal plant, aiming to scale carbon capture and storage tech. Disaster & Infrastructure Resilience: Typhoon Dolphin hit Okinawa and parts of southern Japan, knocking out power for tens of thousands and canceling flights; Tokyo also plans to upgrade the Yaesu Car Parking Lot into a missile-protection shelter. Energy Security & Shipping: Brent crude rose on Hormuz Strait reopening uncertainty, while LNG pricing stayed near a four-month high as Japan demand met geopolitical risk. Innovation & Industry Competition: Japan’s NISTEP report says China leads global R&D investment, underscoring pressure on Japan’s innovation pipeline. Tourism & Consumer Demand: ReFa’s hotel-and-salon “ReFa rooms” push is driving big foot traffic at its Ginza flagship, showing how hospitality partnerships can scale consumer brands. Food Supply: Japan’s food self-sufficiency rate fell to a record low 37%, highlighting ongoing pressure on agriculture and imports.