AI & Robotics Funding: Japan backs SoftBank-linked Noetra to build a national “Physical AI” model for robots, with up to ¥1 trillion in public funding over five years, aiming for real-world native physical AI by 2030. Markets & Policy Watch: The BOJ is expected to hold rates steady while weighing whether to raise again soon as inflation and producer prices keep pressure on. Immigration Rules: Japan plans tighter permanent residency requirements for foreign nationals, including higher income benchmarks and stricter “national interest” and self-support standards, with changes applying from Oct. 1 for later applications. Housing Costs: Tokyo single-occupancy condo rents hit a record for the 25th straight month, as landlords keep raising prices despite the usual June dip. Consumer Tech & Retail Security: Pokémon Card Store pop-ups in Japan will require facial recognition for entry and queue tickets to curb scalping, triggering fresh privacy concerns. Corporate/Capital Markets: Japan’s “activist investing” is shifting from cash extraction to more strategic, cost-of-capital-focused pressure as TSE pushes firms to improve returns and restructure underperformers. Energy & Infrastructure: Japan’s role in Nepal’s Nagdhunga–Sisnekhola tunnel highlights continued infrastructure cooperation, cutting travel time and easing logistics. Global Risk Sentiment: Fresh US tariff and oil-price shocks are driving market volatility, with Japan’s Nikkei among the movers.