Japan
Geopolitics
US, Japan and South Korea demand North Korea stop missiles
Pyongyang has long understood how to weaponise diplomatic silence. On 20 August 2026, North Korea broke that silence in a rather more literal fashion: a barrage of short-range ballistic missiles was fired from the Pyongyang area into the East Sea, roughly ten projectiles timed to land in the middle
Australia
Japan to test hypersonic missiles on Australian soil under new deal
Japan has secured the right to test hypersonic missiles on Australian soil, with the Woomera Range Complex in South Australia confirmed as a primary site.
Politics
Japan's ambassador rebukes Albanese over melon joke
When Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visited Australia in May 2026, she presented Anthony Albanese with a Shizuoka Crown melon cultivated under the strict "One Tree, One Fruit" greenhouse method, in which each vine yields a single high-grade fruit.
News
Nintendo profit up 53.5% on a US tariff refund it won't pass on
Nintendo's April to June 2026 quarter produced a contradictory set of numbers on first read. Revenue fell 9.5% to ¥517.8 billion, yet net profit attributable to shareholders rose 53.5% to ¥147.4 billion.
World
Mall blast kills two after Kumamoto quake empties building
Japan's building codes did their job. The shaking killed nobody inside the Aeon Kumamoto shopping centre, and about 200 people walked out. Thirty-six minutes later, with the building standing empty, an explosion tore through it and killed two women in their 20s.
Japan
Japan Warns of 'Decisive' Yen Defense as Dollar Hits 160
Japan warned Monday it would take decisive action to defend the yen after the currency weakened beyond 160 per dollar, its lowest level since July 2024. Vice Finance Minister Atsushi Mimura said speculative moves in both currency and crude oil markets may force intervention.
AI
SoftBank Secures $40 Billion Loan to Fund OpenAI Investment
The unsecured 12-month bridge loan signals lenders expect OpenAI's public listing to happen within the year, giving SoftBank liquidity to settle the debt.
Geopolitics
Australia's 38-Day Fuel Buffer: Why We're the Most Exposed Developed Economy
Japan has 254 days. The US has 125. We have 38.
Geopolitics
Australia-EU Trade Deal Signed as China Tensions Rise
Eight years of negotiations finally produced a deal that eliminates tariffs on champagne, EVs, and critical minerals. But the real driver is both sides' desire to reduce dependence on Beijing.
AI Policy in 2026: The Year States and Feds Go to War
The Geopolitics of Battery Supply Chains in 2026
How Asia-Pacific is Rewiring the World's Critical Mineral Supply Chains
Australia's Fuel Crisis Deepens as Albanese Takes Emergency Powers
Nvidia-Backed Reflection AI Seeks $25 Billion Valuation in AI Infrastructure Race
Victoria Park to close as Brisbane's $3.8b Olympic stadium build begins
EU and Australia seal trade deal worth $6.9 billion a year after eight years of talks
China's $120 Billion Critical Minerals Play Is About Security, Not Hostility
The US-Japan Critical Minerals Pact Has a Gap Shaped Like Australia
Gold's worst week since 2011: the Australian headlines miss half the story
Cameron McEvoy shatters 17-year 50m freestyle world record
Naomi Osaka and the question that haunts every working mother
Petrol at $2.40? No wonder BYD's phones are ringing off the hook
74,397 Hearts Break in Sydney as Japan Ends Australia's Asian Cup Dream Again
Iran War Day 21: Trump Floats 'Winding Down' as Pentagon Ships 2,500 More Marines
BTS Returns: 260,000 Fans Descend on Seoul for K-Pop's Biggest Comeback in a Decade
Australia Signs Hormuz Coalition Statement After Trump's 'Cowards' Outburst
31 Warships From 19 Nations Arrive in Sydney Harbour for Historic Fleet Review
The IEA Just Told the World to Work From Home. Australia Hasn't Got the Memo
Australia's Last Two Refineries Get Subsidy Lifeline as Crude Hits $109
