Japan

〔NY石油〕WTI上伸、60．62ドル（21日）

Yahoo Finance | Local Language | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | UndeterminedEnergy Prices

On January 21, 2026, crude oil futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange rose due to expectations of tighter supply and demand. The March WTI contract settled at $60.62 per barrel, up $0.26 (0.43%) from the previous day, while the April contract increased by $0.30 to $60.39. Supply concerns emerged after production was temporarily halted at Kazakhstan’s Tengiz and Korolev oil fields due to power transmission system issues, supporting morning market buying.

Reuters reported that Venezuela’s oil exports under a major $2 billion contract with the United States amounted to approximately 7.8 million barrels, reflecting slow unwinding of recent production cuts and reinforcing supply tightness perceptions. U.S. President Trump, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, highlighted strong U.S. economic growth over the past year and the country’s role as “the engine of the world economy,” which contributed to a rise in U.S. stocks and oil prices.

Markets exhibited some instability ahead of crude oil inventory data releases scheduled for January 22, leading to a cautious, wait-and-see mood among traders. Gasoline prices rose for the third consecutive day, with the February contract reaching 185.74 cents per gallon, the highest since early December 2025. Similarly, heating oil prices climbed for the third day, settling at 243.05 cents per gallon, the highest level since late November 2025.

不祥事相次ぐ、原子力業界…今なお残る「原子力村」特有の価値観とは

Mainichi Shimbun | Local Language | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | Political Scandal or Corruption

Tokyo Electric Power Holdings (TEPCO HD) restarted the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant in Niigata Prefecture on January 21, 2026, marking a key step in its business recovery since the Fukushima Daiichi disaster. The company anticipates an annual revenue improvement of about 100 billion yen per reactor unit from these restarts and plans to continue revitalization efforts focused on data centers and decarbonization.

The Japanese government continues to advocate maximizing nuclear power usage as a stable, carbon-free energy source to ensure energy security and economic growth. The next planned restart is Hokkaido Electric Power’s Tomari Unit 3, targeted for early 2027, which could lower electricity rates in Hokkaido by around 11% for households and 7% overall. This reduction in rates may attract data center operators and other businesses from overseas.

However, a major scandal has emerged involving Chubu Electric Power’s Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant, where seismic safety data was found to have been arbitrarily determined during the restart review process. This controversy raised concerns about the safety culture in Japan’s nuclear industry, with experts likening the misconduct to practices associated with the old "nuclear village." The scandal casts doubt on safety awareness across other power companies and threatens public trust in nuclear restarts.

米国経済見通し 犠牲になるのは財政

Daiwa Institute of Research | Local Language | AcademicThink | Jan. 23, 2026 | UndeterminedBudgets-Budgeting

The U.S. economy is showing signs of recovery from the negative impacts of the recent government shutdown on both corporations and households, maintaining a firm hold. However, widening disparities within households could intensify due to the "K-shaped economy," as higher-income individuals benefit from federal income tax refunds under the 2025 Trump Tax Cut 2.0 beginning February 2026, while low- and middle-income groups face declining purchasing power following the expiration of Obamacare’s enhanced tax credits at the end of 2025, resulting in increased health insurance premiums.

Congressional debates over extending these tax credits have complicated the fiscal 2026 budget process. Democrats have made extending the tax credits a condition for budget approval, whereas Republicans have signaled reluctance for full extension, preferring a continuing resolution to delay decisions. This deadlock caused the longest government shutdown on record in October–November 2025. A continuing resolution passed in mid-November prolonged the debate, which gained momentum in early 2026. The House approved a three-year extension plan in January with Democratic leadership and support from 17 Republicans, particularly those in competitive districts, but the Senate Republicans remain cautious, leaving the bill’s future uncertain.

Criticism of the tax credit extension centers on the belief that the credits serve as subsidies to private insurers and would increase the federal deficit. The House-passed three-year extension would raise the fiscal deficit by about $80 billion over ten years, potentially increasing to $350 billion if made permanent. While extension would relieve financial pressure on low- and middle-income households, concerns persist that deteriorating fiscal conditions amid uncertain tariff revenues could elevate the term premium and push up U.S. 10-year Treasury yields. This rise in yields could negatively impact interest-rate-sensitive sectors such as capital investment, housing, and durable goods consumption.