Japan Open

Japan's top currency diplomat, Masato Mimura, said markets should heed a 'very clear' warning regarding the yen, in an exclusive interview reported by Reuters. The comments signal that Japanese authorities are openly cautioning investors against excessive yen weakness, keeping intervention fears in focus for currency traders.

The 20th Asian Games are under way in Japan's Aichi Prefecture and the city of Nagoya, running from 19 September to 4 October. Around 11,000 athletes from 45 countries are competing across 43 sports. The Guardian has published a photo gallery from the event, showing scenes from the opening days of competition in Japan.

Japan is converting its many closed golf courses into large-scale solar farms, as the country's limited and mountainous land leaves few other options for renewable energy development. The report highlights how companies are repurposing these sprawling open sites, a trend drawing attention as Japan seeks to expand solar capacity and meet its clean energy goals.

Foreign Affairs argues that Japan is creating an opening for the United States to strengthen its position in Asia. The piece suggests Tokyo's diplomatic and strategic moves are giving Washington a renewed chance to deepen regional partnerships at a time of shifting power dynamics in the region, though the specific policy steps involved are not detailed in the headline.

The Asian Games have opened in Japan, with attention turning to ten standout athletes expected to headline the competition. Coverage highlights the competitors seen as most likely to dominate their events and shape the medal race. As one of the world's largest multi-sport events, the Games draw wide interest from fans and national teams across Asia ahead of the opening contests.

Carlos Alcaraz has been drawn to face Alex Michelsen in his opening match at the ATP tournament in Tokyo. The Japan Open draw also set up Kei Nishikori to play Frances Tiafoe in what is billed as the home favourite's farewell match. Tennis fans are reacting to both the top seed's path and the sentimental send-off for the long-time Japanese star.

Japan is converting disused golf courses into large-scale solar farms, as the country has almost no free land left for renewable energy projects. Hundreds of golf courses have closed since the 1990s economic bubble, leaving wide, open, sun-exposed sites that suit panels well. Energy commentators see it as a practical answer to Japan's land scarcity and its push to cut carbon emissions.

The MLB postseason has begun, with the New York Yankees meeting the Boston Red Sox in the American League wild card series, first game around September 30. Japanese fans can watch on NHK, J SPORTS and SPOTV NOW. The Yankees are without slugger Aaron Judge for the wild card round, as manager Aaron Boone said his strained right calf had not healed enough, with hopes he could return for the division series.

Tommy Paul is in action at the ATP Japan Open, where he is set to face Chile's Alejandro Tabilo. The matchup has drawn attention from tennis fans and pundits, with stats outlets publishing predictions and form analysis ahead of the 2026 tournament clash. Paul, one of the top American players on tour, is a headline draw as the tournament progresses.

The Atlanta Braves opened their series against the Philadelphia Phillies with a win, sealed by Austin Riley's three-run go-ahead homer in the late innings. Japanese sports media highlighted the moment, with starter Chris Sale's fiery reaction also drawing attention, as fans followed the MLB postseason matchup closely.

Spain and Croatia are meeting as the UEFA Nations League opens, drawing attention from football fans worldwide. The tournament's start is also shaking up the FIFA rankings, with Norway jumping 18 places and closing to within one point of Japan, while Greece moved up two spots.

A debate is under way in Japan over the government guidance that caps monthly overtime at 45 hours for most workers. A piece in Weekly Economist Online by scholar Wakana Shuto examines what the proposed revision of the 45-hour instruction really means for workers and employers. Commentators are weighing whether loosening or clarifying the cap would protect workers or open the door to longer hours.

On the morning of September 29, iPhone users across Japan reported that apps would crash or fail to launch entirely, regardless of which app they opened. Reports flooded news outlets and social media, with users saying restarts and reinstalling apps did not fix the problem. The issue has since been resolved and services are back to normal, though the exact cause of the mass crash has not been officially explained, leaving many users puzzled.

Urawa Reds open their Levain Cup campaign with a first-round tie against J3 side Kataller Toyama, with the match scheduled to kick off around 9pm on Monday, September 28. Fans in Japan are following the fixture, which pits the J1 club against a lower-division opponent, and some coverage includes live streaming of the game.

Felix Auger-Aliassime is drawing attention as the men's Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships get underway in Tokyo, with the Canadian among the players in Round of 32 action. Fans are looking up how to stream his matches, and coverage of the tournament's early rounds is spreading widely, especially among Canadian audiences following his progress.

The Chiba Lotte Mariners baseball club has opened a donation campaign for victims of Typhoon No. 25 in Reiwa 8, run through its social contribution project MARINES LINKS and the Furunavi crowdfunding platform. Funds collected will go toward relief for areas damaged by the storm. Sports teams rallying fans for disaster aid draws wide attention in Japan, where charitable crowdfunding drives typically spread quickly online.

A bar staffed by robot bartenders is set to open in Kyoto, Japan. The operators stress that the robots are not controlled by artificial intelligence, distinguishing the venue from the wave of AI-driven services attracting attention. Japanese news outlets including Japan Today and SoraNews24 have covered the announcement, with readers curious about what exactly powers the machines and what the bar experience will offer.

Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of the Mermaid Island has ranked second at the Japanese box office in its tenth weekend in theaters, showing unusually long legs for an animated release. The film's continued strength months after opening underscores the popularity of the Chiikawa franchise among Japanese audiences. Detailed earnings figures and the weekend's top film were not provided.

Belgian tennis player Alexander Blockx is preparing for his first-round match at the Japan Open in Tokyo, where he is drawn against Valentin Vacherot. Tennis preview coverage has also focused on the pairing of Etcheverry against Stefanos Tsitsipas in the same round, with writers offering predictions ahead of the tournament's start in Tokyo.

Shiho Kuji and Eri Fukuyama are tied for the lead heading into the final round of the Miyagi TV Cup Dunlop Ladies Open in Japan, with Ai Kido one shot behind. Golf fans are following the close three-way battle as the tournament reaches its deciding day on the JLPGA tour.

The Japan Women's Open, a JLPGA major that had never been played at Takarazuka Golf Club in its previous 58 editions, is arriving there for the tournament's 100th anniversary. The milestone has drawn attention from Japanese golf fans, with discussion of the historic venue and figures in women's golf such as Hisako Higuchi, Ayako Okamoto and Ai Miyazato.

Japanese officials say it is time for open, 'taboo-free' discussion about whether Japan should acquire nuclear weapons, breaking a long-standing political taboo in the only country to have suffered atomic bombings. The remarks have drawn attention regionally and among allies, given Japan's pacifist constitution and its reliance on the US security umbrella.

The Japan Women's Open Golf Championship, the third domestic major on the JLPGA calendar, is drawing pre-tournament attention as four days of play will decide Japan's top female golfer. Preview coverage highlights the field and expectations, with players such as Mayu Hattori among those in focus ahead of the tournament's start.

Viewers are being shown how to stream the men's Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships in Tokyo as the tournament reaches the Round of 32. Guidance published on September 29 and 30, 2026 outlines which streaming services and broadcasters carry the matches, helping fans follow the early rounds of the ATP event in Japan.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has again called for an open national debate on nuclear weapons and nuclear-powered submarines, saying Japan should discuss such issues "without taboos." He expressed frustration that an atmosphere of reluctance still discourages serious public discussion of nuclear options, a sensitive topic given Japan's postwar pacifist identity and history as the only nation attacked with atomic bombs.

The Bank of Japan's latest policy pivot is being read as opening scope for faster interest rate increases. The shift signals a move away from years of ultra-loose monetary policy, with analysts weighing how quickly the central bank may tighten and what that would mean for the yen, Japanese bond markets and global borrowing costs.

Japanese actor Takayuki Yamada serves as a judge on the acting audition programme THE OPEN CALL, and Jin Akanishi, Ko Shibasaki and Kazunari Ninomiya have been confirmed as new guest partners. The casting announcement, reported by Japanese film news outlets, highlights the high-profile industry backing the talent search has attracted. No further details on dates or format were given in the report.