Core Viewpoint - The trend of central banks and institutional investors shifting from U.S. Treasury bonds to gold is strengthening, with expectations that this influx into gold will continue for decades due to increasing fiscal spending and money supply, which may devalue the dollar [1][7]. Group 1: Investment Trends - There has been a significant outflow of funds from U.S. long-term bond funds, amounting to approximately $10 billion from April to June, marking the largest outflow since the market turmoil in early 2020 [4]. - Investors are increasingly reconsidering their holdings in long-term U.S. Treasury bonds, reflecting growing concerns about the U.S. fiscal situation and the potential for inflation [5][6]. - The traditional view of U.S. Treasury bonds as a stabilizing asset in investment portfolios is changing, as both stocks and bonds have shown correlated declines during recent market shocks [6]. Group 2: Institutional Insights - The head of the securities department at the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry has successfully adjusted investment strategies to include gold, viewing it as a suitable asset to hedge against risks in both stocks and bonds [3]. - A report from the OMFIF indicates that one in three central banks plans to increase their gold holdings, signaling a cautious shift away from dollar-denominated assets like U.S. Treasury bonds [6].

Core Viewpoint - Sally's net profit for the period from September 2024 to May 2025 increased by 50% year-on-year, reaching 7.7 billion yen, setting a new historical high for the same period, driven by a low-price strategy that boosted customer numbers [1][2]. Group 1: Financial Performance - Net profit for the period reached 7.7 billion yen, exceeding market expectations of 7.1 billion yen [1][2]. - Sales revenue grew by 15%, totaling 188.3 billion yen, with existing store sales in Japan increasing by 18% [2]. - Operating profit rose by 5%, amounting to 10.6 billion yen, despite a 9.4 billion yen negative impact from rising raw material prices [2]. Group 2: Strategic Initiatives - The low-price strategy resulted in a 16% increase in customer numbers, with a 2% rise in average spending per customer [2]. - The company has implemented digital solutions, such as self-service kiosks and QR code ordering systems, in approximately 700 stores, representing 70% of its total stores in Japan [2]. Group 3: Regional Performance - Operating profit in the Asian business, centered around China, declined by 5% due to local consumption slowdown, despite efforts to open new stores [2]. Group 4: Future Outlook - For the fiscal year ending August 2025, the company maintains its forecast of a 15% increase in sales, reaching 258.7 billion yen, and a 26% increase in net profit, totaling 10.3 billion yen [2].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the pursuit of anti-aging and longevity, focusing on Brian Johnson, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur who is actively exploring ways to extend human life through advanced technologies and personal health regimens [2][4][5]. Group 1: Brian Johnson's Approach to Anti-Aging - Brian Johnson aims to be the first person to attempt to avoid death, leveraging technology and personal health strategies [5][9]. - He has invested in a company called Blueprint, which monitors over 70 organs to create a personalized life algorithm [10]. - Johnson's daily regimen includes consuming 111 supplements and undergoing various cutting-edge treatments, including blood plasma therapy [23][25]. Group 2: The Silicon Valley Culture of Longevity - The pursuit of anti-aging is a common theme among wealthy Silicon Valley figures, with notable individuals investing heavily in biotechnology and health initiatives [6][8]. - Major tech entrepreneurs like Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg have also established companies focused on longevity, indicating a trend within the industry [8][9]. Group 3: Public Perception and Ethical Considerations - Johnson's methods, particularly blood plasma therapy, raise ethical questions, but he defends them by comparing the risks to those of unhealthy eating habits [25][26]. - His approach has attracted a following, suggesting a growing interest in anti-aging solutions among the public [28]. Group 4: Practical Advice for Longevity - Johnson emphasizes the importance of good nutrition, sleep, and exercise as fundamental components of a healthy lifestyle [30][31]. - He provides practical tips, such as maintaining a low resting heart rate before sleep, to help others improve their health without significant financial investment [29][30].

Core Viewpoint - Panasonic is adjusting its production plans for the new EV battery factory in Kansas due to declining sales from its major customer, Tesla, and an uncertain market environment [1][2]. Group 1: Production Plans and Investments - The Kansas factory, which is Panasonic's second large-scale battery factory in the U.S. after Nevada, was initially aiming for full production capacity of approximately 30 GWh by the end of the 2026 fiscal year, but this timeline has been postponed [1]. - The investment in the Kansas factory is about $4 billion, and it is being constructed by Panasonic's battery subsidiary, Panasonic Energy [1]. - Following the adjustment in Kansas, Panasonic has frozen plans for a third production base in the U.S., which was previously considered for locations like Oklahoma [2]. Group 2: Market Conditions and Sales Performance - Tesla's global sales for the second quarter of 2025 decreased by 13% year-on-year, dropping to 384,122 vehicles, which has impacted Panasonic's battery business [1]. - The market for electric vehicle batteries is experiencing a slowdown, prompting various companies to revise their production plans, including Nissan and Toyota, which have also postponed their battery factory projects in Japan [2].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article is that the completion of domestic procedures for the animal health quarantine agreement between China and Japan is a crucial step towards the resumption of Japanese beef exports to China, which have been halted since 2001 due to BSE concerns [1][2] - The agreement's effectiveness was announced by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 11, 2023, and it allows for formal negotiations to restart beef trade between the two countries, including technical discussions on safety confirmations [1] - The Chinese government had previously signed an agreement in 2019 to strengthen cross-border animal disease management, but domestic procedures were not advanced, leading to a delay of over five years [1] Group 2 - Japan's domestic beef export value reached 64.8 billion yen in 2024, more than doubling in five years, driven by increasing global demand for Wagyu beef from markets like the US, Taiwan, and Hong Kong [2] - The Japanese government aims to further increase beef export value to 113.2 billion yen by 2030, nearly doubling again, with a target of raising exports to China to 20 billion yen to match the US market [2] - The resumption of beef exports to China is seen as a significant boost to Japan's food export expansion strategy [2]

Core Viewpoint - Mazda is set to launch the upgraded SUV "CX-5" in Europe by the end of 2025, followed by releases in Japan and the United States in 2026, aiming to enhance revenue amid challenging market conditions due to automotive tariffs [1][2][3]. Group 1: Product Features - The new CX-5 measures 4.69 meters in length and 1.86 meters in width, comparable to Toyota's RAV4 and Honda's CR-V [3]. - The vehicle will feature a touch screen display and will be the first Mazda model to incorporate Google's automotive services, including Google Assistant and Google Maps [1][2]. - A new 4-cylinder engine and hybrid system are planned for release by 2027, designed to meet new emissions regulations in Europe and the U.S. while providing high environmental performance and driving capabilities [3]. Group 2: Market Context - The U.S. automotive tariffs are creating a challenging business environment, prompting Mazda to focus on its key model, the CX-5, to improve sales performance [3]. - The CX-5 has historically been a strong performer, accounting for nearly 30% of Mazda's global sales in 2024, indicating its significance to the company's overall strategy [3].

Group 1 - Since Trump's inauguration in January, global investors have begun reallocating funds away from an overemphasis on the US, initially shifting towards European and Chinese stocks, and recently increasing purchases of Japanese stocks [1][2] - Overseas funds have been returning to the Japanese stock market, with net purchases of Japanese stocks reaching 545.6 billion yen in the first week of July, totaling 4.9 trillion yen over 14 weeks, marking the longest streak since November 2012 [1][2] - The influx of long-term capital into Japanese stocks is not driven by optimism about Japan's future, but rather due to a reallocation of funds from the US, as Japanese stocks are seen as undervalued [2][3] Group 2 - Analysts have noted that while there is a significant increase in stock buybacks, the macroeconomic environment, particularly uncertainties surrounding US tariff policies, has prevented a strong buying atmosphere for Japanese stocks [3][4] - There is a growing trend of bottom-up investment analysis in Japanese stocks, with a focus on individual stock performance rather than passive trading strategies, contrasting with the speculative trading seen prior to the market crash in 2024 [4][5] - Despite potential short-term volatility due to upcoming elections and tariff deadlines, the Japanese stock market is expected to remain relatively strong due to continued foreign investment [5]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the increasing tensions between Japan and China in the East China Sea, particularly focusing on incidents involving Japanese Self-Defense Force aircraft and Chinese military planes, highlighting the potential for accidental conflict due to close encounters [1][2]. Summary by Sections Incident Details - On July 9 and 10, Japan's "YS11EB" electronic reconnaissance aircraft encountered unusual proximity to Chinese military aircraft in the East China Sea, with Chinese "JH7" bombers approaching from behind [1]. - The proximity details include a height difference of 60 meters and a horizontal distance of 30 meters on July 9, and a height difference of 30 meters and a horizontal distance of 60 meters on July 10 [2]. Government Responses - The Japanese Ministry of Defense reported the incidents to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, indicating that the Chinese aircraft are capable of air combat and likely equipped with air-to-air missiles [2]. - Japan's Foreign Ministry expressed serious concerns to the Chinese ambassador, warning that such encounters could lead to accidental conflicts and demanding measures to prevent future incidents [2].

Core Viewpoint - The report from the White House Council of Economic Advisers indicates that even with tariff costs included, the prices of imported goods remain cheaper than before the tariffs were implemented [1][7]. Group 1: Tariff Impact on Prices - The U.S. Treasury Department reported that tariff revenue exceeded $22 billion in May, which is three times the average level expected for 2024 [3]. - The consumer price index (CPI) in May showed a slowdown in the month-on-month increase, with the core index rising only 0.1%, lower than the expected 0.3%, primarily due to declines in automobile and clothing prices [4]. - Japanese automakers have significantly reduced the prices of vehicles exported to the U.S., with a reported 17.7% drop from March to May, as a strategy to avoid raising local prices despite reduced profits [5][6]. Group 2: Economic Predictions and Reactions - The initial impact of tariffs has been less severe than expected, leading to a shift in the Federal Reserve's interest rate cut expectations from December to September [5]. - The White House report suggests that the theory of optimal tariffs is being validated, as higher tariffs have led to a decrease in the prices of imported goods due to reduced demand [7]. - President Trump has publicly stated that import prices are indeed declining, urging the Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to consider this in his monetary policy decisions [8]. Group 3: Future Considerations - There is a concern that the pressure for excessive cost-cutting in the automotive industry may spread to suppliers, potentially impacting the overall market [6]. - The trade deficit reached a historical high before the introduction of reciprocal tariffs, as businesses increased imports to avoid price hikes, indicating that the inflationary effects of tariffs may take longer to manifest [9].

Core Viewpoint - The discussions between Japan and China highlight concerns over China's export controls on rare earths and the potential impact on Japanese businesses, alongside calls for improved bilateral relations and communication despite existing tensions [1][2]. Group 1: Rare Earth Export Controls - Japan expressed strong concerns regarding China's tightened export controls on rare earths, which have significantly affected Japanese companies [1] - The Chinese government has implemented these controls as a countermeasure against the high tariff policies of the Trump administration since April [1] Group 2: Agricultural Imports - Japan's Foreign Minister, Taro Kono, requested the resumption of Japanese beef imports, which have been banned in China since 2001 due to BSE concerns [2] - The Chinese government recently lifted a ban on Japanese seafood imports related to the Fukushima nuclear disaster, indicating a potential shift in trade relations [2] Group 3: Bilateral Relations and Security Concerns - Both foreign ministers agreed to continue discussions to promote a "strategic mutually beneficial relationship" despite existing issues [2] - There is an increasing friction in security matters, with China enhancing its military capabilities and Japan's Self-Defense Forces remaining vigilant [2][3]