- Jul 1
Mercosur kicks off free trade talks with Japan as EU deal quarrels dominate Asunción summit
South America’s Mercosur bloc formally launched negotiations with Japan for an economic partnership deal, while longstanding internal friction over EU trade quotas overshadowed the leaders’ gathering in Paraguay.
- Jun 29
China adds 20 Japanese defence-linked entities to export blacklist, citing remilitarisation push
Beijing on Monday expanded its export controls on dual-use items to Japan, blacklisting 20 additional companies and research bodies, drawing a sharp protest from Tokyo.
- Jun 29
Japan targets over 1% real growth in draft blueprint, doubling current pace and urging BOJ coordination
A draft long-term economic blueprint from Japan's government sets a goal of more than 1% real growth, more than double the recent average, alongside a push for 370 trillion yen in combined investment and closer Bank of Japan coordination.
- Jun 26
BOJ hawk calls for rate hikes every few months as Tokyo inflation picks up; government unveils $2.3 trillion investment plan
Bank of Japan board member Naoki Tamura said the central bank should raise rates once every few months toward 2%, while Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government outlined a 370 trillion yen investment plan and a shift away from large supplementary budgets.
- Jun 16
Bank of Japan lifts key rate to 1%, highest since 1995, as oil shock from Iran war drives inflation
The Bank of Japan raised its short-term policy rate by a quarter point to 1% on Tuesday, the highest level since 1995, as rising oil costs from the Iran conflict fuel price pressures.
- Jun 1
Japan's defence chief rejects China's 'new militarism' label, warns of Beijing's opaque military buildup at Singapore summit
Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi dismissed Beijing's accusations of 'new militarism' as hypocritical during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, while criticising China's rapid and opaque military expansion.
- May 26
Quad ministers launch energy, minerals, and maritime pacts in New Delhi as Strait of Hormuz crisis and China tensions loom
Foreign ministers from the US, India, Japan, and Australia met in New Delhi on Tuesday, agreeing to new frameworks on critical minerals, energy security, and maritime surveillance, while the Iran conflict's disruption of global shipping overshadowed the talks.
