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Edition of Tuesday, 27 October 2026English edition
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The Geopolitician

Country risk, from the local press

Japan · Country watch

Japan Eyes Anti-Espionage Law, Itochu Buys Dentsu Unit

Japan plans foreign agent registration to curb espionage, while Itochu acquires Dentsu Research for ¥200 billion, enhancing consulting capabilities.

· · 5 articles read

The picture Stable How this is judged →

Business conditions in Japan remain stable with new regulatory plans and corporate acquisitions. The proposed anti-espionage law and Itochu's acquisition of Dentsu Research highlight ongoing strategic shifts in regulation and corporate strategy.

Flare-up watch: Calm (−0.1) · How this is judged → · All Japan briefings →

In this briefing Government of Japan · Itochu Corporation · Dentsu Research · Bank of Japan

Regulation

  • Public sector
  • Technology
  • Defence

Japan mulls foreign agent registration under new law

a large building in the middle of a city
kiki / Unsplash

Japan is considering a new anti-espionage law that would require individuals acting on behalf of foreign governments to register with authorities, according to JapanTimes. This measure aims to increase transparency and curb espionage activities. The move follows growing concerns over national security and the influence of foreign entities in Japan. The law, if enacted, would align Japan with other countries that have similar regulations in place.

Impact Foreign entities and their representatives in Japan will face new registration requirements, increasing compliance costs and operational transparency.

Sources: JapanTimes ↗

Companies

  • Finance
  • Technology

Itochu acquires Dentsu Research for ¥200 billion

Itochu (伊藤忠商事 Itōchū Shōji), at Kita-Aoyama, Minato, Tokyo, Japan
Itochu (伊藤忠商事 Itōchū Shōji), at Kita-Aoyama, Minato, Tokyo, Japan — Lombroso, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

Itochu Corporation has acquired Dentsu Research for ¥200 billion, Business Insider Japan reports. This acquisition is part of Itochu's strategy to enhance its consulting capabilities by integrating Dentsu's expertise in market research and strategic planning. The move reflects a broader trend among Japanese trading companies to expand their consulting services, aiming to provide comprehensive solutions from strategy to implementation.

Impact Itochu's acquisition of Dentsu Research will enhance its consulting services, impacting clients in market research and strategic planning sectors.

Sources: Business Insider Japan ↗

Markets

  • Finance

Bonds gain appeal as BOJ rate hike expectations ease

Bank of Japan, Chuo-ku Tokyo Japan, designed by Kingo Tatsuno in 1896.
Bank of Japan, Chuo-ku Tokyo Japan, designed by Kingo Tatsuno in 1896. — Wiiii, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The attractiveness of bonds is increasing among investors as expectations for a Bank of Japan rate hike in October diminish, Business Insider Japan reports. Despite the BOJ maintaining its stance on potential future rate increases, the immediate outlook suggests a pause. This has led investors to consider bonds as a viable alternative to stocks and mutual funds, with options including government bonds and bond funds.

Impact Investors are likely to shift towards bonds, affecting asset allocation strategies in Japan's financial markets.

Sources: Business Insider Japan ↗

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

Also today in the local press

Sources in this briefing

Sources: each headline links to the original article on the publisher's site.

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