FX & Macro: The US and Japan confirmed a rare joint yen intervention after the currency hit 40-year lows, with officials warning they’ll act again if needed; the yen jumped while markets digested the move and oil slid on hopes of de-escalation around Iran. Manufacturing & Supply Chains: JFE Steel produced Japan’s first hydrogen-based DRI prototype using green hydrogen under NEDO’s program, while a survey found most manufacturers see rare-earth procurement as a major risk amid China export controls. Semiconductors & Equipment: MetaOptics and Elsoft partnered to scale next-gen 12-inch metalens laser writers and testers, and Kioxia showcased CXL-compatible memory expansion for AI workloads. Cybersecurity: A Chinese threat actor used a leaked DarkSword exploit kit to deploy iOS malware, targeting iOS 18.4–18.7 via fake AWS login pages. Auto & Industry: Nissan returned to profit but warned on Middle East and China pressures, as quake-related disruptions continue to test supply chains. Disaster Response: PM Sanae Takaichi visited Kumamoto as heat and water shortages worsened quake recovery, with deaths including heat-stroke cases. Policy & Labor: Japan’s housekeeping sector is expanding with more foreign workers, while Japan’s lawmakers push AI-related political reforms. Tech & Media: Wowow announced a live-action series adaptation of Riku Onda’s “The Aosawa Murders.”