Business & Economy
Japan factory sentiment reaches five-year high on chip demand
The November Reuters Tankan manufacturers’ sentiment index rose to +27 from +22 in October, its highest level since August 2021. Semiconductor-related orders supported electronics and precision machinery, although price and financing pressures remain.
Source: Reuters Tankan | November 10
Toyota lifts profit outlook despite weaker quarterly earnings
Toyota raised its fiscal-year net-profit forecast to ¥3.57 trillion from ¥3.25 trillion after its November 5 results, even as July–September net profit fell about 19% from a year earlier. Hybrid demand and currency effects support the outlook, but tariffs and costs remain risks.
Source: Associated Press | November 5
SoftBank Corp. reports record half-year revenue as enterprise AI grows
SoftBank Corp. reported April–September revenue of ¥3.799 trillion, up 12%, and operating income of ¥642.1 billion. Cloud and AI services helped its enterprise business, offering a contrast to the separate investment-group results of parent SoftBank Group.
Source: SoftBank Corp. | November 9
Science & Technology
Japan and Vietnam select six joint semiconductor projects
JST and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology selected six projects from 16 applications for joint semiconductor research, according to a November 9 announcement. The planned 42-month collaborations will also support researcher development.
Source: JST | November 9
Communities
Japan outlines stronger urban-flood defenses after Chiba rains
On November 10, MLIT outlined measures following severe urban flooding in Chiba and elsewhere: clearer inundation-risk information, better support for rapid evacuation, and storage and drainage works. The package addresses dangers in low-lying urban areas and underground spaces.
Source: MLIT | November 10
Japan reviews how to sustain its regional railway network
MLIT scheduled a second committee meeting for November 12 on the future of sustainable railway networks. The debate matters for communities facing declining populations and limited transport choices; recommendations should not be inferred before official minutes or briefing details are available.
Source: MLIT | November 10 notice
Sports
Japan U-21 set for Spain test in Almendralejo
Japan’s under-21 footballers are scheduled to face Spain in Almendralejo on November 13 at 7 p.m. local time—3 a.m. November 14 in Japan. The fixture tests the next generation against a strong European youth side; it is a preview, not a match report.
Japan U-19 begins Atlanta tour with United States fixture
Japan’s U-19 squad, led by Satoshi Yamaguchi, is touring Atlanta from November 9–18, with games scheduled against the United States, Paraguay and Colombia. The first match is set for November 12 local time; results and late squad changes need confirmation.
Culture
Sumida Hokusai Museum marks ten years with celebrated river scroll
The Sumida Hokusai Museum’s tenth-anniversary exhibition runs until November 23, featuring Hokusai’s long picture scroll of both banks of the Sumida River alongside recent acquisitions and rarely shown works. The display reconnects the artist with the Tokyo neighborhood where he was born.
Daitokuji’s 700-year anniversary exhibition enters second phase
The Tokyo National Museum’s Daitokuji exhibition entered its second rotation on November 10 and continues through December 6. Temple treasures reveal how Zen culture influenced Japanese painting and tea aesthetics; objects on display vary by exhibition phase.
Source: Tokyo National Museum / National Art Center | exhibition listing
Candidates not carried forward
Candidate #10 originated with an October 15 research announcement; #11 already received a JAPAN.co.jp report on November 11. #16 overlaps earlier remote-construction coverage; #24 duplicates the main Japan–Korea baseball feature; and #27 duplicates previously published Hiroshige coverage.