Tokyo

Japan's Defense Ministry is drawing up a new program to back startups developing unmanned aerial vehicles and related defense products. The initiative would help young companies enter the defense market, where barriers have traditionally been high. It reflects Tokyo's broader push to grow its defense industry base and expand domestic drone capabilities amid regional security concerns.

Analysts at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute argue that a Chinese seizure of Taiwan would be so destabilising for Japan that it could drive Tokyo to abandon its non-nuclear posture and develop nuclear weapons. The piece, published on ASPI's Strategist commentary site, frames the scenario as 'revolting for the CCP', suggesting Beijing's ambitions could trigger the very regional nuclear proliferation it seeks to avoid.

Rail operators in Tokyo have reported online security breaches, according to Japan's public broadcaster NHK. The incidents raise concerns about the cybersecurity of critical transport infrastructure in the Japanese capital, though details on which companies were affected, the nature of the breaches, and whether operations were disrupted have not yet been disclosed.

Zurich and Tokyo now carry the highest housing bubble risk in UBS's latest index, as global home price growth slows. The bank's assessment highlights elevated valuations in both cities even as broader market momentum cools. The findings are drawing attention from investors in real estate markets and funds tracking property stocks.

Carlos Alcaraz will begin his Japan Open campaign in Tokyo with a first-round match against American Alex Michelsen. The draw also sets up an emotional occasion for Japanese tennis, as Kei Nishikori is set to face Frances Tiafoe in what is being presented as a farewell appearance. Fans are following the tournament for Alcaraz's title push and Nishikori's send-off.

A Tokyo-based startup plans to begin brokering trades of Japanese unlisted shares to investors in the United States and Britain, according to Nikkei Asia. The move would give overseas investors access to Japan's private company market, a segment previously difficult to reach from abroad.

Surging property prices in central Tokyo are reshaping where residents want to live, with suburban areas increasingly ranking as the most desirable residential destinations. As affordability pressures mount, homebuyers are trading proximity to the city centre for more space and lower costs on the outskirts, a shift that could reshape demand and development patterns across the metropolitan area.

Trading began at the Tokyo Stock Exchange following the Liberal Democratic Party's election of a new leader. Investors were watching the leadership result closely, since the winner is set to become Japan's next prime minister and their policies could shape fiscal spending, monetary policy and market direction. The vote had prompted attention across Japanese financial circles.

Japan is reportedly considering replacing some of its military personnel with humanoid robots. The plan would see machines take over certain duties within the Self-Defense Forces, reflecting Tokyo's push to address recruitment shortfalls and a shrinking population. The proposal has drawn attention from defense and robotics watchers, who note Japan's advanced robotics industry and growing interest in automation for defense roles. Details on timelines and which positions could be affected remain limited.

French tennis player Arthur Fils is set to face American Martin Damm in the first round of qualifying at the ATP 500 tournament in Tokyo. The matchup is drawing attention among tennis fans in France and beyond as Fils continues his season on the Asian swing, with the draw now confirmed for the Japanese hard-court event.

A new snack bar in Tokyo is letting people work through robot avatars, serving customers remotely instead of being physically present. The unusual setup highlights how avatar technology is being tested in everyday hospitality jobs, opening work opportunities for people who cannot easily commute or leave home.

NTK, a subsidiary of Malaysian healthcare group IHH Healthcare, has filed an appeal against a Tokyo court ruling in its ongoing legal dispute with Daiichi. The case is part of a broader conflict between the two parties over their business arrangements in Japan. Further details of the court's original decision and the grounds for appeal have not been disclosed.