Markets & Yen: Japan’s finance minister said the government wants to nudge the world’s biggest pension fund, GPIF, to boost “substantially” its domestic investments, sparking a yen bounce and a drop in 10-year JGB yields. Inflation Watch: Japan’s wholesale prices jumped 7.1% in June, the fastest in over three years, driven by fuel costs, weak yen, and higher metals prices—fueling expectations for further BOJ rate hikes. AI Privacy Rules: Japan’s upper house passed a revision to its personal data protection law, creating an exemption for collecting data without consent for statistical analysis and AI development, including sensitive categories. Imperial Succession: Japan’s Lower House approved a bill revising the Imperial House Law to secure the number of eligible imperial members, including allowing female members to keep status after marriage and enabling certain male-line adoptions. Defense Industry: Ukraine is exploring cooperation with Mitsubishi to build licensed Patriot missile production, with Zelenskyy praising Mitsubishi’s know-how. Non-Nuclear Pressure: Nagasaki’s assembly urged Japan to uphold its non-nuclear principles amid renewed debate in the ruling LDP. Weather & Travel Disruption: Super Typhoon Bavi is nearing Japan’s southwestern islands, with heatstroke alerts issued and hundreds of flights cancelled. Culture & Food Identity: Japan registered “Japanese tea” under its geographical indication system to crack down on imitation branding abroad. Sports: Japan and Ireland meet in rugby’s Nations Championship Saturday, while Thirdy Ravena is back in Japan’s B.League with Toyama.