Kuril Islands Row: Japan’s PM Sanae Takaichi called Vladimir Putin’s first visit to Iturup/Etorofu “absolutely unacceptable,” saying it wounds Japanese feelings and makes relations harder, as Tokyo summoned Russia’s ambassador and reiterated the “Northern Territories” claim. North Korea–Ukraine Link: Ukraine’s Zelensky warned Pyongyang is preparing a major troop surge—up to 50,000—to help Russia in the Ukraine war, with analysts noting the growing Russia–North Korea military cooperation. Yasukuni Calculus: Kyodo reports Takaichi is considering skipping a Yasukuni Shrine visit on Aug. 15, with experts reading it as political/diplomatic maneuvering rather than a shift in ideology. Local Finance After Tax Cut: Japan is weighing how to cover local governments’ revenue losses from a planned food consumption tax cut, with subsidies floated to protect social security spending. Disaster Watch: Torrential rain hit eastern Japan, triggering landslides, power outages, and the JMA’s highest-level heavy rain warning for Chiba. Tech/Markets: MUFG plans a proof-of-concept to move JGB repo settlement onchain using the Canton Network, aiming to improve intraday funding and settlement efficiency. Business & Society: A Mexican man was arrested at Haneda after customs found about 200 live lizards hidden in socks in his suitcase. Diplomacy/Indo-Pacific: A US envoy said Quad partners are aligned on closer collaboration for a free and open Indo-Pacific after meetings involving Japan and Australia.