Japan

東京エレクトロン追起訴 台湾検察、ＴＳＭＣ事件で

Tokyo Shimbun | Local Language | News | Jan. 7, 2026 | Corporate Corruption or Fraud

Taiwanese prosecutors have re-indicted the local subsidiary of Tokyo Electron in connection with the illicit acquisition of confidential information from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). The allegations include suspicions that secret documents related to TSMC's advanced semiconductor technology were copied and stored on Tokyo Electron’s cloud servers.

This incident is considered a breach of Taiwan's National Security Act due to the sensitive nature of the trade secrets involved. The case highlights ongoing concerns around corporate espionage and the protection of proprietary technology in the semiconductor industry.

「存立危機事態」認定の前に日本の港湾施設利用が不可欠 CSIS「明かりが消える？」㊥

The Sankei News | Local Language | News | Jan. 7, 2026 | Critical Infrastructure Failure

If China imposes a maritime blockade on Taiwan, Japan's role extends beyond direct armed force, especially before such a blockade is recognized as a "state of existential crisis." Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi indicated that Japan could use armed force if that threshold is met, but preventing China's attempt to change the status quo cannot rely on military action alone. The U.S. think tank CSIS highlights Japan’s indispensable non-combat roles in countering a blockade.

Taiwan's heavy dependence on maritime transport for essential goods, particularly energy imports amounting to 97%, makes it vulnerable to isolation. A successful blockade could pressure Taiwan into yielding to China’s demands for reunification without large-scale combat, which China finds an attractive option. CSIS simulations of blockades showed varied outcomes, including some escalation to full combat but generally indicated that a blockade might achieve reunification goals while minimizing civilian and allied military casualties.

The maritime blockade would legally be considered an act of force and likely provoke U.S. intervention, risking escalation into armed conflict. Japan has not dismissed recognizing an existential crisis if Taiwan faces attack, especially if U.S. forces are targeted. However, both the U.S. and Japan likely aim to prevent swift escalation to full-scale war, preferring scenarios that cause the blockade to fail or at least delay it until conditions favor containment or war preparations.

Maintaining open maritime routes for merchant ships is crucial to thwarting the blockade and sustaining Taiwan’s access to vital supplies. Ensuring continued naval and logistical support to keep shipping lanes operational is key to preventing China’s objectives through a blockade.

日本国債を誰が買う？～日銀撤退が進む中での安定消化に向けて

NLI Research Institute | Local Language | AcademicThink | Jan. 7, 2026 | UndeterminedFinancial System Problems

In 2025, Japanese government bond yields increased sharply due to the Bank of Japan's (BOJ) monetary policy normalization and expected fiscal expansion. The BOJ reduced its large-scale bond purchases, prompting banks and foreign investors to primarily absorb the increase in bond issuance and decline in BOJ holdings. However, relying heavily on these investors poses risks to stable bond absorption.

The report highlights households as a potential source for stabilizing bond demand, noting their currently low holding ratio of government bonds. Retail government bonds, designed with principal protection and early redemption features, have underperformed in sales, particularly the flagship 10-year variable-rate bond, which offers interest rates below market yields.

To address this, the report suggests expanding and enhancing retail government bond products by improving features and broadening the product lineup. This approach aims to increase household investment in government bonds, thereby stabilizing bond absorption and mitigating sharp yield fluctuations simultaneously.