Core Viewpoint - The value of Japanese yen coins is increasing due to rising raw material prices, particularly copper, which has reached historical highs, leading to the raw material value of the 5 yen coin exceeding its face value and the 10 yen coin approaching 90% of its face value [2][4]. Group 1: Raw Material Composition and Prices - The 5 yen coin consists of 60% to 70% copper and 30% to 40% zinc, while the 10 yen coin is made up of 95% copper, 3% to 4% zinc, and 1% to 2% tin [4][5]. - As of December 15, the raw material prices are estimated at 5.4 yen for the 5 yen coin and 8.7 yen for the 10 yen coin based on domestic market prices [4][5]. Group 2: Global Trends and Implications - The increase in raw material prices is a global phenomenon, with the U.S. Mint halting the production of the 1 cent coin due to high manufacturing costs, which are nearly four times its face value [6]. - The trend towards cashless payments is growing, with a significant decrease in cash usage for transactions under 1000 yen in Japan, dropping from 89.2% to 61.6% over the past decade [6]. Group 3: Currency Production and Future Considerations - The Japanese Ministry of Finance has stated that cash remains essential for those unable to use cashless payment methods, and there are no plans to stop producing circulating currency [8]. - The manufacturing environment for currency has changed significantly, with no new production of 1 yen and 5 yen coins for circulation since 2016 and 2021, respectively, indicating a need to reassess the value of currency [8].

Core Viewpoint - Japan plans to impose a new tax on private electric vehicles (EVs) starting from May 2028, based on vehicle weight, with heavier vehicles facing higher tax burdens [2][4]. Group 1: Tax Implementation - The new tax will be applied during vehicle inspections, starting from May 1, 2028, and will also include plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHVs) [4]. - The tax amount will be determined based on the average gasoline tax burden of gasoline vehicle owners [4][5]. - PHVs will be taxed at half the rate of EVs, as they have already contributed to gasoline taxes to some extent [4]. Group 2: Rationale for Tax - The primary reason for increasing the tax burden on EVs is to ensure funding for road maintenance, as EVs do not contribute to fuel taxes like gasoline vehicles do [5]. - The heavier weight of EVs compared to gasoline vehicles leads to greater road wear, justifying the need for a tax [5]. Group 3: Market Impact - Heavier EV models, particularly imported ones, dominate the domestic market, suggesting that higher-end vehicles will incur larger tax amounts [5]. - The Japanese government plans to suspend local taxes related to environmental performance ratios for two years (2026-2027) to support the automotive industry affected by U.S. tariffs [5].

Core Viewpoint - Japan's Ministry of Justice announced that starting from 2026, individuals must provide nationality information when acquiring real estate, aiming to monitor the nationality of property owners [2][4]. Group 1: Nationality Information Requirement - The new regulation will require individuals to fill out nationality information on real estate registration forms and submit identification documents such as passports and residence cards [2][4]. - Nationality information will be stored internally and will not be recorded in the public real estate registry to protect personal privacy [4]. Group 2: Database Development - The Digital Agency of Japan plans to establish a database by 2027 for sharing nationality information within the government, utilizing the "Basic Real Estate Registration" database [4]. Group 3: Legislative Intent - The ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party has committed to drafting a law in 2026 to strengthen regulations on foreign ownership of land, aiming to clarify the actual situation of real estate transactions [5].

Core Viewpoint - Cambodia has applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to diversify its export markets, especially in light of high tariffs imposed by the U.S. on Cambodian goods [2][4]. Group 1 - Cambodia's exports to the U.S. account for approximately 40% of its total exports, highlighting the need for market diversification due to the U.S. imposing tariffs as high as 49% [2][4]. - The CPTPP, which was signed by 12 countries in 2016, aims to promote high-level free trade, and its relevance has increased amid rising protectionism [2][4]. - The CPTPP negotiations require unanimous consent from the existing 12 member countries to initiate discussions on tariff reductions, with ongoing negotiations involving 10 countries and regions, including Cambodia [4]. Group 2 - The CPTPP was re-negotiated and renamed after the U.S. withdrawal under the Trump administration, with the remaining 11 countries signing the agreement in 2018 [4]. - The CPTPP is currently in negotiations with Costa Rica and has decided to initiate talks with Uruguay, indicating ongoing expansion efforts [4]. - The UK is set to join the CPTPP in 2024 following its exit from the European Union, further expanding the agreement's reach [4].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the growing influence of overseas original works in the Japanese animation industry, highlighting the success of adaptations like "Let's Play" and "Solo Leveling," and the need for Japan to adapt to maintain its competitive edge in both animation and gaming sectors [2][5][12]. Group 1: Japanese Animation's Global Expansion - Japanese animation has established a strong brand identity, often associated with high-quality storytelling and artistic expression, but is now beginning to incorporate overseas works as original sources [2][10]. - The "Anime Expo" in Los Angeles showcased the popularity of the animation "Let's Play," which is based on a webtoon created by American author Leeanne M. Krecic, indicating a shift towards international collaboration in content creation [4][5]. - Crunchyroll, a major player in the animation distribution market, has identified "Let's Play" as a key title for 2023, reflecting a trend of adapting overseas content into Japanese animation styles [5][10]. Group 2: The Rise of Overseas Original Works - The upcoming animation "Solo Leveling," based on a Korean web novel, is noted as a pioneering example of this trend, with production handled by A-1 Pictures, further emphasizing the blending of international narratives with Japanese production [8][10]. - The increasing popularity of overseas original works is seen as an opportunity for Japanese animation to expand its audience and meet the growing demand for diverse storytelling styles [10][16]. - The collaboration between Crunchyroll and Aniplex in producing "Solo Leveling" demonstrates the integration of webtoon pacing into animation, catering to modern viewing habits [10]. Group 3: Challenges in the Gaming Sector - Japan's gaming industry is facing challenges as it struggles to adapt to the rapidly growing mobile and computer gaming markets, where it has historically held a competitive advantage [12][14]. - Analysis of popular games on platforms like Steam reveals that Chinese companies are now leading in both sales and downloads, indicating a shift in the gaming landscape that Japan must address [14][16]. - The article suggests that Japan's slow response in the gaming sector could allow competitors to gain further ground, similar to the trends observed in the animation industry [12][16].

Core Viewpoint - The competition in humanoid robot development is shifting, with Chinese and American companies taking the lead, while Japan's presence is diminishing in this sector [2][15]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - The humanoid robot market is projected to reach $5 trillion by 2050, with over 1 billion humanoid robots expected to be in operation globally [11]. - The industry is redefining robots as the "body" of AI, indicating a significant shift in their role and application [11]. - Chinese companies are advancing through national strategies and a focus on domestic production of key components, while American firms are entering practical application stages [13]. Group 2: Key Players - Major Chinese companies in humanoid robotics include UTree Technology, UBTECH Robotics, and Zhongqing Robotics [14]. - Notable American companies include Agility Robotics, Tesla, and Boston Dynamics [14]. - Japanese companies, such as Kawasaki Heavy Industries, have a weaker presence in humanoid robotics compared to their industrial robot offerings [15]. Group 3: Technological Advancements - The G1 humanoid robot developed by UTree Technology can assist customers in cafes by taking orders and delivering food, showcasing advanced mobility and interaction capabilities [6]. - The Walker E robot from UBTECH can carry loads of up to 30 kg, indicating its potential use in factories and warehouses [8]. Group 4: Strategic Insights - Japanese companies are encouraged to leverage their strengths in addressing domestic needs, such as elderly care, rather than directly competing with China and the U.S. [15]. - The application of humanoid robots extends beyond manufacturing and logistics to include disaster response and service scenarios, highlighting their versatility [15].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article highlights that Huawei is becoming a central player in China's semiconductor industry, particularly in AI semiconductors, challenging the dominance of Nvidia [5]. - By 2026, Huawei and emerging companies like Cambricon Technology are expected to significantly increase their AI semiconductor shipments, with a forecast of over 1 million units, more than doubling the predictions for 2024 [5]. - The article emphasizes that despite the advancements, China's manufacturing equipment and materials still lag behind the most advanced levels globally [5].

上野动 物园的双胞胎大熊猫"晓晓"（右）和"蕾蕾"（kyodo） 日本内阁官房长官木原稔强调称："通过大熊猫开展的交流，迄今为止也为改善日中两国的国民感情做 出了贡献"，对即将送还中国的两只大熊猫表示："它们长期以来受到许多人的喜爱。衷心祝愿它们在中 国也能健康地生活"…… 由于上野动物园的双胞胎大熊猫"晓晓"和"蕾蕾"将于明年1月送还中国，日本国内约50年来将首次面临 没有大熊猫的局面。对于此事，日本内阁官房长官木原稔在12月15日的记者会上表示："期待通过大熊 猫继续开展交流"。他同时强调："通过大熊猫开展的交流，迄今为止也为改善日中两国的国民感情做出 了贡献"。 木原针对即将送还中国的两只大熊猫表示："它们长期以来受到许多人的喜爱。衷心祝愿它们在中国也 能健康地生活"。 Kyodo 版权声明：日本经济新闻社版权所有，未经授权不得转载或部分复制，违者必究。 日经中文网 https://cn.nikkei.com ...

截至12月14日在香港举行的WTT总决赛（世界乒乓球职业大联盟总决赛）男子单打比赛中，张本智和 首次夺冠。他在这项高水平赛事中接连击败排名更高、此前克制自己的对手，成功突破了三次屈居亚军 的"瓶颈"。12月15日返回日本的张本智和回顾道："这次是以不同于以往的心态去比赛的，让我建立了 信心。" 22岁的张本智和世界排名第5，他在四分之一决赛中打满全场，战胜法国直拍选手勒布伦，半决赛面对 世界排名第2的中国选手林诗栋，也战至决胜局。在决赛中以4比2战胜了巴黎奥运会银牌得主、瑞典选 在WTT总决赛男子单打决赛中，张本智和庆祝夺冠（Getty-Kyodo） 手莫雷加德。 尤其是勒布伦和莫雷加德，两人以旋转变化复杂、出其不意的打法著称，一直让张本智和感到棘手。尽 管张本智和在比赛中多次处于劣势，但他没有选择防守，而是通过不断强化的正手技术多次扭转局面。 他表示："打出了无论从哪里都能实现逆转的比赛"。 谈及2025年，张本智和坦言"遗憾的时刻更多"，比如在抱着最大目标的5月多哈世乒赛止步第三轮。他 把2026年的目标定为春季在澳门举行的乒乓球世界杯上夺冠，表示："希望从1月（的全日本锦标赛）开 始，能够不断夺冠"。 ...

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the recent surge in copper prices, attributing it to a combination of supply shortages and three key factors originating from the United States, with predictions that copper prices may continue to reach historical highs by 2026 [2][4]. Group 1: Factors Influencing Copper Prices - The first factor is the optimistic outlook for the U.S. economy due to interest rate cuts, with the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) predicting further rate reductions in 2026, which supports copper prices as it reflects global economic trends [4][5]. - The second factor is the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), which is expected to increase demand for copper, particularly for data centers. Predictions suggest that copper usage for data centers could grow sixfold by 2050, reaching approximately 3 million tons annually [5][7]. - The third factor is renewed concerns over tariffs imposed by former President Trump, which previously caused copper prices to spike. Discussions about increasing tariffs on copper ingots in the future have led to market speculation and price volatility [7][9]. Group 2: Market Dynamics and Trends - The London Metal Exchange (LME) copper futures have reached their highest levels in over a year, with prices hitting $11,771 per ton, reflecting a significant recovery from the lows experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic [4][8]. - The net long positions in copper futures have reached a nine-month high, indicating strong bullish sentiment among investors, driven by speculation around AI and economic recovery [7][9]. - Despite the strong performance of copper prices, the article notes that the Chinese economy, which accounts for 60% of global copper consumption, remains sluggish due to the real estate downturn, shifting the focus of price movements towards the U.S. market [9].