BOJ Watch: The yen jumped after hawkish repricing from Bank of Japan board member Hajime Takata, with traders watching for any Tokyo intervention as the dollar stays under pressure ahead of key U.S. data. Defense Budget & Drones: Japan’s Ministry of Defense filed a record FY2027 request (~¥8.9T), signaling faster shifts toward drones, long-range counterstrikes, and hypersonic missile work. Cabinet Politics: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is set for a Cabinet reshuffle as early as Sept. 16, a move tied to LDP power management ahead of next year’s party leadership vote. Foreign Residents Rules: Japan tightened permanent residency requirements, raising fees sharply and fueling debate over whether the country is closing the door on long-term foreign residents. Imperial Household: The Imperial Household Agency is considering scaling down former Emperor Akihito’s farewell rite at the palace, reflecting his wish to minimize disruption. Regional Security Row: Australia’s PM Albanese sharply criticized China’s Pacific missile tests, rejecting comparisons to U.S. testing and pushing for a unified Pacific condemnation. Disaster Response: Japan delivered emergency relief goods to Nepal after flash floods, as the death toll topped 1,100. Tech & AI in Japan: Utopai Studios and DeNA announced an AI-assisted animation collaboration, aiming to plug PAI into experimental production workflows. Local Governance: Miyagi Prefecture rolled out year-round casual dress for government workers, extending “Cool Biz” style beyond summer.