As geopolitical tensions in the Middle East intensify, raising fears of potential disruptions to key oil shipping routes and production facilities, concerns over a prolonged crude oil supply shortage are deepening, with knock-on effects already emerging in Japan as businesses reliant on fuel—particularly heavy oil for industrial and commercial use—begin to face procurement difficulties, forcing some to suspend operations temporarily. (News On Japan)

Japan and the United States advanced economic discussions during their latest summit, agreeing on a new round of large-scale investment exceeding 11 trillion yen, though questions remain over whether the deal will ultimately serve Japan’s national interests. (News On Japan)

A nostalgic era of Japan’s once-ubiquitous feature phones is coming to a close, with 3G mobile communication services set to end at the end of March, prompting a final wave of device upgrades and intensifying competition among telecom carriers to secure remaining users. (News On Japan)

Japan’s largest labor union group UA Zensen announced that part-time workers secured a record-high average wage increase of 6.92% in this year’s spring labor negotiations as of today, marking the highest level ever recorded for this stage of the talks. (News On Japan)

The situation surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy transport, is growing increasingly complex, with U.S. President Donald Trump urging Japan to assist in securing the waterway while Iran signals it may allow passage depending on negotiations, and as prospects for a swift resolution fade, Japanese industries including automobiles, ethylene, and polyvinyl chloride resin have begun scaling back production. (News On Japan)

Japan’s nationwide average land prices across all uses rose for the fifth consecutive year as of January 1st, 2026, reflecting a gradual economic recovery, according to data released by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. (News On Japan)

Osaka’s latest official land price survey highlights a significant shift in the city’s real estate landscape, with the Minami district reclaiming the top position for the first time in six years, overtaking Kita, the long-dominant commercial hub centered around Umeda. (News On Japan)

Rising land prices are making it increasingly difficult for people to live in their preferred locations, prompting a growing trend of choosing homes a few stations away from major hubs as a way to reduce rent. (News On Japan)

The average monthly amount invested by people in their 20s who use NISA has reached 34,432 yen, with the amount young adults are putting into investments continuing to rise and even giving birth to the phrase "NISA poverty." (News On Japan)

Japan is moving to coordinate with Western nations to secure a stable supply of rare earth materials, government sources revealed. (News On Japan)

Uniqlo, a subsidiary of Fast Retailing, began rolling out “Yellow Uniqlo” stores on March 16th at seven locations inside JR Ikebukuro Station, Kyoto Station, and Narita Airport, featuring bright yellow exteriors designed to evoke the sun and draw attention to products aimed at protecting customers from ultraviolet rays. (News On Japan)

As tensions surrounding Iran intensify and global markets grow increasingly volatile, attention is turning to how the Bank of Japan will respond at its upcoming monetary policy meeting and what the developments could mean for stock prices and the yen. (News On Japan)

PayPay, a major smartphone payment service under SoftBank Group, was listed on the Nasdaq market in the United States on March 12th, marking the largest U.S. listing ever by a Japanese company. (News On Japan)

Nissan Motor, U.S. ride-hailing giant Uber Technologies, and autonomous driving developer Wayve announced on March 12th that they will collaborate on a self-driving taxi business. (News On Japan)

Asahi Group Holdings announced its financial results for January through September 2025 on March 10th after delaying the release due to a system failure, reporting a 26.2% year-on-year decline in net profit to 102.8 billion yen. (News On Japan)

The government has instructed domestic oil reserve bases to prepare for a possible release of stockpiled crude as tensions surrounding the Middle East raise concerns about energy supply and the broader industrial impact, including disruptions to ethylene production used in food packaging. (News On Japan)

Japan posted a current account surplus of 941.6 billion yen in January, marking the 12th consecutive month in the black, according to preliminary balance of payments data released by the Finance Ministry on March 9th. (News On Japan)

Real wages in Japan turned positive for the first time in 13 months in January, rising 1.4% from a year earlier after accounting for inflation, according to data released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. (News On Japan)

The Nikkei Stock Average plunged by more than 4,100 points at one stage at the start of the week as crude oil prices surged sharply, with widespread sell orders hitting Tokyo stocks immediately after the market opened on Monday and pushing the index below the 52,000 level during trading. (News On Japan)

Property taxes play an important role in supporting schools, roads, and emergency services across Travis County. (News On Japan)