Japan faces a decisive week for its economic outlook from November 16 to November 20, 2026, with new figures on economic growth, inflation, exports, tourism and business investment expected to reveal whether domestic demand is holding up against rising living costs, a weakening yen and uncertainty over global trade, while a wave of stronger-than-expected corporate earnings has provided fresh evidence of resilience across the economy. (News On Japan)

Paid acquisition has become harder for small retailers. Apple’s App Tracking Transparency, introduced with iOS 14.5 in April 2021, cut the data that social ad platforms used for targeting, and many small shops saw their cost per sale rise in the following months. (News On Japan)

The Hands Shibuya store, a longtime landmark in one of Tokyo's busiest shopping districts, will close on November 15 after 48 years in business, marking the end of nearly half a century of retail history as the store holds a final clearance sale offering discounts of up to 80% on cosmetics and other products. (News On Japan)

A Japanese startup founded at Osaka University is preparing to begin clinical trials of a brain-computer interface in 2027, aiming to enable patients with severe physical disabilities to communicate and operate electronic devices using only their thoughts, with commercialization targeted for around 2030. (News On Japan)

Japan's recent stock market recovery has prompted warnings against excessive optimism, with investors urged to remain disciplined and avoid chasing short-term gains before there is clearer evidence that the market has established a sustainable upward trend. (News On Japan)

Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average closed 322.99 points higher, or 0.53%, at 61,142.35 at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, November 13, recovering from the previous day's decline but surrendering most of its early gains as investors weighed renewed pressure on the yen, rising government bond yields, corporate earnings and uncertainty surrounding the global technology industry. (News On Japan)

The resignation of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang on November 12 following allegations involving a woman suspected of links to Chinese intelligence has raised concerns in Japan over the potential impact on semiconductor investment, financial markets and the yen, as uncertainty surrounding the American AI chipmaker threatens to disrupt the global technology industry. (News On Japan)

Kobe is undergoing a sweeping transformation, with major redevelopment projects around Sannomiya Station, the planned closure and renovation of the Mosaic shopping complex at Harborland, and the international expansion of Kobe Airport raising hopes that the port city can attract more overseas visitors while improving everyday life for residents. (News On Japan)

SoftBank Group raised a record 1 trillion yen through bonds aimed at individual investors in September, offering an annual interest rate of 4.75% on seven-year securities as the Japanese technology investment giant seeks to finance massive investments in artificial intelligence and strengthen its cash reserves. (News On Japan)

Japan's corporate goods price index rose 7.1% in October from a year earlier, returning to the 7% range for the first time in two months and highlighting persistent inflationary pressures on businesses, according to data released by the Bank of Japan on November 12th. (News On Japan)

Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell about 429 points, or 0.7%, to close near 60,819 on Thursday, November 12, ending a three-day winning streak as reports concerning Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang triggered heavy selling in semiconductor-related shares, while the broader TOPIX index edged 0.2% higher to around 3,937. (News On Japan)

A survey of more than 20,000 full-time employees in Japan has revealed a significant gap between actual and preferred overtime hours, with workers averaging 23.8 hours of overtime a month compared with an ideal of 14.1 hours, a difference of 9.7 hours. (News On Japan)

Tokyo stocks extended their recovery on Wednesday, November 11th, with the Nikkei 225 closing at 61,248.59 points as of 3:30 p.m., up 789.01 points, or 1.31%, from Tuesday, marking a third consecutive session of gains as investors bought semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related shares despite renewed concerns over US inflation and interest rates. (News On Japan)

SoftBank Group reported a net loss of 768 billion yen for the six months from April to September, largely due to losses associated with a review of its artificial intelligence data center plans in the United States, but the Japanese technology investment giant said it would continue pursuing its long-term AI strategy despite the financial setback. (News On Japan)

Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average surged 1,684.08 points, or 2.87%, to close at 60,459.58 on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. Japan time, recovering the psychologically important 60,000 level for the first time in three trading sessions as investors bought back artificial intelligence and semiconductor shares following a sharp rebound on Wall Street. (News On Japan)

Household spending in Japan fell 6.8% in September from a year earlier, marking the 10th consecutive month of decline and the sharpest drop since September 2020, when consumer activity was severely disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to government data released on November 10. (News On Japan)

Japan's tofu industry is facing mounting financial pressure, with 39 producers going bankrupt, suspending or closing operations, or dissolving their businesses between January and October 2026, as rising soybean prices and sluggish sales leave nearly 40% of manufacturers operating at a loss. (News On Japan)

Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average closed at 58,775.50 on Monday, November 9, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. Tokyo time, rising 1,340.73 points, or 2.33%, from Friday's close, as investors returned to equities following last week's sharp selloff, with widespread gains across banking, automotive, retail and semiconductor-related shares helping the benchmark record its first advance in six trading sessions. (News On Japan)

Japan's stock market is expected to open higher on Monday, November 9, after the Nikkei 225 plunged 9.25% last week to close at 57,434.77 on Friday, November 6, with a rebound in US technology shares and stronger overnight futures pointing to an initial recovery, although investors face another potentially volatile week dominated by inflation data, corporate earnings and uncertainty over the outlook for artificial intelligence investment. (News On Japan)

Municipalities across Japan are raising the cost of designated garbage bags as waste disposal expenses increase, with one town in Hokkaido proposing a 4.5-fold price hike from 385 yen to 1,735 yen for a pack of 10 bags, while growing pressure on incineration facilities is prompting debate over whether more cities should introduce paid household garbage collection. (News On Japan)