Emergency Budget: Japan’s Cabinet approved a ¥3.1 trillion ($19.5bn) extra budget to cushion households from Middle East-driven energy price spikes, including gasoline, electricity and gas support. Markets & Tech: The Nikkei 225 surged past 68,000 for the first time, led by AI and semiconductor stocks, as investors chased chip demand and a weaker yen. AI Security Access: Anthropic will expand access to its Claude Mythos for 150 organizations, with Japan’s government and major banks among those set to use it for security testing. Social Media Rules for Youth: A communications ministry panel drafted guidelines that avoid a blanket age ban, instead pushing stronger identity checks and feature limits based on each platform’s risks. Local Governance & Compliance: A mosque in Kawagoe, Saitama, linked to a Pakistani company, has been ordered removed after being built illegally on restricted land without required permits. Weather Disruption: Typhoon Jangmi hit Japan’s Wakayama area and brought heavy rain and flood alerts across Tokyo and beyond, disrupting flights and trains. Food Policy: Japan plans to cut the grocery consumption tax to 1% (not zero) for two years starting next April due to system update delays. Business Deals: Apollo completed the sale of Altemira to MBK Partners, while Nippon Life plans about ¥1.5 trillion over five years into Blackstone’s private credit strategies. Wildlife Safety: A bear attack in Fukushima injured four people, underscoring rising bear-human encounters.