ICC Standoff: ICC President Tomoko Akane vowed to resist U.S. sanctions and protect the Hague court after Washington moved to bar her and prosecutor Abdoulaye Seye from entering the U.S., escalating a broader campaign targeting ICC officials. Immigration Policy: Japan’s Justice Ministry plans to double its FY2027 budget for immigration and foreign-resident measures, including JESTA entry screening and facial-recognition gates, alongside language and life-skills programs. CPTPP Debate: South Korea is reexamining CPTPP membership, while Japan is set to launch a discussion on joining; fisheries groups are pushing back over fears of cheap seafood imports and reduced self-sufficiency. BOJ Watch: BOJ Deputy Governor Ryozo Himino urged “timely” rate hikes to prevent an inflation spike that could force abrupt tightening, keeping markets focused on a possible September move. Energy Security: Japan is moving to diversify oil supplies and support pipelines bypassing the Strait of Hormuz amid heightened Middle East risk. Disaster & Public Safety: A new cyclone-tracking satellite system is being installed in Fiji with JICA support, and Japan is also expanding weather forecasting capacity. Finance Backdrop: Bond yields are surging globally, raising borrowing costs and concerns about fiscal sustainability. Culture: Avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama, 97, died in Tokyo, leaving a global legacy of polka dots and “Infinity Mirror Rooms.” Travel & Tourism Funding: Japan’s higher departure tax is funding tourism-related projects, including anti-bear measures and efforts to eradicate an invasive beetle.