1/ Japan aims to ensure domestic vaccine production capacity for next crisis

22 Sep, 2026

Japan plans to maintain its domestic vaccine production capacity built during the COVID-19 pandemic to prepare for future outbreaks. The health ministry is seeking ¥76 billion in its fiscal 2027 budget to support vaccine manufacturers and may create a new long-term funding system. The goal is to ensure Japan can quickly develop and produce vaccines domestically instead of relying heavily on overseas suppliers.

2/ Japan to move CFIUS-style foreign investment review filings online

25 Sep, 2026

Japan plans to move most foreign investment pre-screening applications online from as early as FY2028, making it easier for the new JFIC (Japan Foreign Investment Committee) to handle a growing number of cases. The system is designed to strengthen economic security reviews while continuing to encourage foreign investment. The rules also expand scrutiny to investments involving foreign governments and indirect acquisitions, particularly in infrastructure and advanced technology sectors.

3/ Japan Foreign Ministry to recruit overseas experts in dual-use tech

28 Sep, 2026

Japan’s Foreign Ministry plans to hire foreign experts in dual-use technologies at around 10 diplomatic missions in the U.S. and Europe from FY2027. Their role will be to connect Japanese companies with overseas technology firms and research partners, attract foreign venture capital to Japanese startups, and help bring advanced technologies into Japan. The initiative is part of Japan’s broader effort to strengthen economic and national security through advanced technology.

4/ BOJ ups climate loans as debate swirls on how green central banks should be

28 Sep, 2026

The Bank of Japan continues to expand its climate-related lending, with the program reaching ¥24.9 trillion in July. The BOJ, like the ECB, supports climate finance while debating how far central banks should go without crossing into government fiscal policy. The BOJ has introduced a floating interest rate and a ¥50 trillion lending cap, while experts are calling for clearer standards to prevent greenwashing. The broader debate highlights the growing role of central banks in climate and sustainable finance.

Business News​

1/ World’s First Hydrogen-Fueled Engine for Large Commercial Vessels Successfully Completes Land-Based Testing

18 Sep, 2026

Japan Engine, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and Yanmar Power Solutions have completed the world’s first hydrogen-fueled engine for large commercial vessels under NEDO’s Green Innovation Fund Project. Factory testing achieved at least 95% hydrogen co-firing and more than 95% lower GHG emissions compared with conventional heavy fuel oil. The engine will be installed on a 17,500 DWT vessel in 2027, with onboard demonstration testing scheduled to begin in April 2028 to assess its performance and durability under real operating conditions.

2/ Japan's Prodrone gears up to mass produce 58,000 drones a year

18 Sep, 2026

Prodrone plans to invest ¥3 billion to build a drone mass-production plant in Aichi, supported by ¥1.5 billion in government subsidies. The factory aims to produce 58,000 drones a year by 2029, mainly for industrial use, helping Japan reduce its dependence on imported drones, especially from China. Prodrone also plans to source more parts domestically and compete on price.