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Edition of Monday, 26 October 2026English edition
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The Geopolitician

Country risk, from the local press

Japan · Country watch

SoftBank Resumes Alerts, Yen Strengthens

SoftBank restores emergency alerts after PHP fix, and the yen strengthens as a hedge against AI market volatility.

· · 4 articles read

The picture Improving How this is judged →

Business conditions in Japan are improving as SoftBank restores emergency alerts, and the yen strengthens, offering stability amid AI market concerns. These developments provide a more secure environment for operations and investments.

Flare-up watch: Calm (0.0) · How this is judged → · All Japan briefings →

In this briefing SoftBank · PHP · Goldman Sachs · Japanese yen · BNP Paribas Asset Management · Japanese Government Bonds

Disruption

  • Telecom
  • Public sector

SoftBank resumes emergency alert services

SoftBank has resumed the distribution of emergency alert emails, which were temporarily halted due to vulnerabilities in the PHP programming language. NHK reports that the telecom giant completed necessary maintenance and restored services by the evening of October 26. This service interruption had affected the dissemination of disaster and evacuation information by national and local governments.

Impact Public-sector agencies and residents relying on SoftBank's alert system can now receive timely emergency notifications.

Sources: NHK ↗

Markets

  • Finance

Yen strengthens as hedge against AI market volatility

The yen surged 0.9% against the US dollar, marking its strongest level in over a month. Goldman Sachs highlighted the yen's potential as a favorable hedge against volatility in the AI market, according to JapanTimes. This comes amid growing concerns over the rapid expansion of the technology sector and its potential market shocks.

Impact Currency traders and international investors may find the yen more attractive as a hedge against AI market fluctuations.

Sources: JapanTimes ↗

  • Finance

BNP Paribas AM bets on long-end JGB amid yield highs

Building at 16, boulevard des Italiens in Paris, registered head office of BNP Paribas
Building at 16, boulevard des Italiens in Paris, registered head office of BNP Paribas — Boubloub, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

BNP Paribas Asset Management has taken a bullish stance on long-end Japanese Government Bonds (JGBs) as yields have reached multidecade highs. JapanTimes reports that this move reflects concerns over inflation and fiscal spending in Japan. The asset manager's strategy focuses on the steep yield curve, which has been influenced by economic conditions and monetary policy.

Impact Investors in Japanese government bonds may see increased activity and potential returns as BNP Paribas AM positions itself in the market.

Sources: JapanTimes ↗

Nothing significant reported today in Regulation · Internal tension · Safety & health · Companies · Trade · Politics.

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Sources in this briefing

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