Rare Earth Strategy: Japan is pushing deeper into Arctic and deep-sea rare earth projects, including a Greenland Tanbreez assessment and a Minamitorishima deep-ocean mud lift trial, but the plan raises tough environmental and commercial-viability questions. Export Controls: China has added 40 Japanese entities to dual-use export curbs and watch lists, tightening licensing and transfer rules amid rising Tokyo-Beijing tensions. FX & Policy: The yen slid to a near-40-year low around ¥162 per dollar, with growing debate over whether Japan will intervene as BOJ rate-hike politics and weak competitiveness worries mount. Economy Watch: Japan’s June economic report sounded cautiously upbeat on consumption and exports, while still flagging Middle East risks. Food & Waste: Japan reported record-low still-edible food waste for FY2024 for the third straight year, with policy emphasis on donations to food banks. Energy & Industry: Shell expects LNG demand to surge toward 2050, while Japan’s private equity market keeps attracting capital with stronger returns; Toyota Tsusho also won an EPC battery storage deal for Benin’s solar cluster. Tech & Mobility: MetaOptics began shipping evaluation units of metalens smartphone and AI smart glasses to Europe and Japan, and Japan’s yen-fueled market backdrop continues to shape consumer and investment sentiment.