Japan

外国人への訪問支援費補助 共生実現、自治体に入管庁

Tokyo Shimbun | Local Language | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | UndeterminedPolitical Policy Resistance

The Immigration Services Agency will launch a grant program to subsidize outreach activities where municipal counselors visit locations with high concentrations of foreigners, such as apartment complexes and companies employing many foreign workers. This initiative, included in the FY2025 supplementary budget, aims to promote community coexistence by proactively addressing issues faced by foreigners through direct engagement.

In addition to existing support for consultation offices, outreach visits may extend to Japanese language schools and restaurants, where counselors will provide guidance on daily life matters such as garbage disposal rules and Japanese social systems. The program may also utilize social networking sites and involve foreign community leaders to improve communication and support. Foreigners serving as interpreters could participate as counselors alongside municipal employees.

The Immigration Services Agency plans to notify municipalities of the grant details soon, aligning the initiative with the government’s comprehensive measures on foreigner acceptance expected in early 2026.

２５年の貿易赤字２・６兆円 対米輸出は４・１％減

Tokyo Shimbun | Local Language | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | UndeterminedTrade Issues and Numbers

Japan recorded a trade deficit of 2.6507 trillion yen in 2025, marking the fifth consecutive year of deficit. However, the deficit decreased by 52.9% compared to the previous year. Exports to the United States declined by 4.1% to 20.414 trillion yen, the first drop in five years, largely due to high tariff measures imposed during the Trump administration. Notably, automobile exports to the U.S. fell 11.4%.

Globally, exports rose 3.1% to 110.448 trillion yen, the highest since 1979, supported by increased shipments of electronic components such as semiconductors to Asia and engines to the U.S. Imports increased slightly by 0.3% to 113.0987 trillion yen.

Other exports to the U.S. also decreased significantly, including semiconductor manufacturing equipment down 30.2% and automobile parts down 10.7%. Imports from the U.S. rose 1.6% to 12.8926 trillion yen, resulting in a U.S.-Japan trade surplus of 7.5214 trillion yen, though this surplus decreased by 12.6%.

On January 22, the yen traded in the low 158-yen-per-dollar range in the Tokyo foreign exchange market.

金利上昇でも続く円安 日銀、物価高止まりを警戒

Tokyo Shimbun | Local Language | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | UndeterminedInflation

The yen continues to weaken against the US dollar despite rising long-term interest rates in Japan and the Bank of Japan's warnings about persistent high inflation. Although the Federal Reserve is cutting rates, narrowing the interest rate gap between the US and Japan, the expected yen strengthening has not occurred. This is attributed to growing concerns over Japan's worsening public finances, which are driving ongoing yen selling in the foreign exchange market.

On January 21, long-term interest rates on Japanese government bonds closed at 2.285%, over 0.6 percentage points higher than in early October 2025, before Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took office. Typically, such increases in interest rates would support yen appreciation, but this correlation is breaking down due to a lack of confidence in Japan's fiscal health. The Liberal Democratic Party’s upcoming election platform includes a pledge to consider exempting food and beverage items from consumption tax for two years, a move that risks undermining fiscal credibility even if it is not implemented.

Overall, persistent inflation risks and fiscal concerns are leading to continued yen weakness despite conventional factors that would normally strengthen the currency. The uncertainty ahead of the February 8 House of Representatives election is contributing to investor wariness in the currency and bond markets.