Tokyo

Japan is partially turning off the tap of decades of cheap money, moving to support the yen after prolonged currency weakness. The shift in monetary policy is being framed as an effort to defend the currency, with coverage suggesting Washington's position — described as an 'American friend' — played a supporting role in Tokyo's decision to rein in ultra-loose policy.

Markets face a packed economic calendar this week, headlined by the U.S. jobs report and inflation figures from the United States, Eurozone, Australia, South Korea and Tokyo. The Reserve Bank of Australia meets, while speeches are scheduled from the Federal Reserve, European Central Bank and Bank of England. Traders will watch the releases closely for clues on interest rate paths.

Japan's Defense Ministry has announced it will support startups working on unmanned aerial vehicle development, according to the Japan Times. The move aligns with Tokyo's broader push to strengthen its defense industrial base and tap private-sector innovation for military technology. Details on funding amounts and selected companies have not yet been reported.

UBS's latest housing bubble risk index places Zurich and Tokyo at the top, identifying them as the cities most exposed to overvaluation. The report finds that global house price growth is slowing, easing bubble risk in many markets. Investors are watching the findings for signals on real estate exposure in major cities.

A Tokyo-based startup plans to begin brokering trades of unlisted Japanese stocks for investors in the United States and the United Kingdom, according to a report by Nikkei Asia. The move would give overseas investors access to Japan's private-company shares, a market that has traditionally been difficult for foreign buyers to reach.

Rising housing prices in central Tokyo are pushing buyers and renters to reconsider where they want to live, with suburban neighborhoods increasingly seen as attractive alternatives to traditional premium districts. Reports say the shift reflects changing priorities as property costs continue to climb, prompting households to weigh space, commute times and affordability when choosing residential areas in and around the Japanese capital.

The Yomiuri Giants are playing the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in a Nippon Professional Baseball game, drawing attention from Japanese baseball fans. Reports highlight pitcher Ogasawara throwing hard on the mound for the Giants. The matchup between the two Central League Tokyo clubs is attracting interest as the season progresses.