Global Scans · Japan · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: The latest sign of weakness in Japan's economy will likely add to mounting skepticism about the prime minister's expansionary policies. His coalition government has just achieved the supermajority it needs to amend the constitution which many are worried that Japan is about to remove the mask of pacificism and convert its "Self-Defense Force" into the military threat it really is.

• [New] Japan plans to launch its Martian Moons eXploration mission to study Phobos and Deimos, collecting surface samples from Phobos and returning them to Earth in 2031, a first in planetary science. tovima.com
• [New] After years of public debate and safety upgrades, TEPCO's Kashiwazaki-Kariwa reactor will resume operations, testing Japan's resolve to balance energy needs with lingering Fukushima trauma. Grand Pinnacle Tribune
• [New] The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Martian Moons eXploration mission is scheduled to launch in 2026 on a trip to the Martian moon Phobos, where it will collect samples for return to Earth. Scientific American
• [New] Under Japan's current energy strategy, nuclear power is projected to account for around 20-22% of electricity generation by 2030, alongside renewable energy sources and thermal power. Economic Times
• [New] Officials anticipate a potential restart of one reactor in early 2026, pending final approvals and safety checks. / Japan Economic Times
• [New] The APAC region is expected to experience the fastest growth, driven by Japan's early leadership in hydrogen water technology, rising urbanization, and increasing disposable income across emerging economies. openpr
• [New] Ripple and SBI plan to bring Ripple USD, a fully backed USD-linked stablecoin, to Japan via SBI VC Trade in the first quarter of 2026. investing.com
• [New] Reactor restarts in Japan and new nuclear plants in China and India could increase global nuclear power capacity for low-emissions electricity. FirstPost
• Once passed, Spain will become the first European country to offer paid menstrual leave, although not the first worldwide as countries including Japan, Indonesia, South Korea and Zambia are already doing so. Sanitas Health Plan Spain
• The Bank of Japan was forced to begin raising interest rates somewhat sooner than they had anticipated, potentially disrupting carry trades which are integral to some international investment strategies. Northern Trust
• Japan will welcome a little bit of inflation. Northern Trust
• In Japan, soaring cost estimates for several offshore projects led Mitsubishi Corporation to pull out of three major developments initially scheduled to start operations before 2030. Energynews.pro
• For Japan and South Korea, national agencies must balance ambition with risk, especially as geopolitical tensions heighten the stakes for independent space capabilities. WebProNews
• The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency had high hopes for the H3, a next-generation launcher designed to compete with heavy-lift vehicles from SpaceX and others. WebProNews

Last updated: 03 January 2026