Japan

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.

NHK | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | UndeterminedPolitics and Elections

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae in Japan during the latter half of next week. This will be Starmer's first visit to Japan since taking office, with arrangements for the trip currently underway according to multiple Japanese government sources.

The leaders are anticipated to focus on enhancing cooperation in economic security and defense, including discussions on strengthening supply chains. Prior to visiting Japan, Starmer plans to travel to China. The meeting will likely include exchanges on issues related to Beijing, with Takaichi seeking Starmer's understanding of Japan's stance amid worsening Japan-China relations.

In November, Takaichi and Starmer previously met during the G20 summit in South Africa. Despite the upcoming Lower House election campaign starting next Tuesday in Japan, Takaichi intends to continue engaging in summit diplomacy during this period.

【特集】2026年の課題と展望―人口減少社会と地域放送メディアの論点①―

Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research | Local Language | AcademicThink | Jan. 23, 2026 | UndeterminedDemographics

In 2025, Japan marked the 100th anniversary of its broadcast media, coinciding with the appointment of its first female prime minister. The broadcast media landscape is undergoing significant transformation due to shifts like smartphone proliferation and video streaming, rendering traditional broadcasting insufficient on its own. Broadcasters face critical challenges in diversifying and expanding business domains to sustain operations, especially amid accelerating population decline. This demographic crisis has led to closures and consolidations, including the shutdown of eight community radio broadcasters in 2025, raising concerns about the disruption of local information flow and democratic connectivity.

To address these challenges, the article emphasizes a multifaceted approach combining broadcasters’ business innovation, industry restructuring, national support systems, and public-private partnerships with local municipalities. Regional broadcasters, constrained by limited budgets and resources compared to major Tokyo-based key stations, are gradually adopting new strategies such as aggregating localized video content through platforms like the Local Content Bank, and leveraging 4K content to target international markets, including expansions into FAST (free ad-supported streaming TV) services. The national government supports these efforts with ambitious goals, such as achieving ¥20 trillion in overseas content sales by 2033, backed by policies and funding initiatives designed to strengthen the broadcasting and content industry.

Regional broadcast media business domains are diversifying into four key areas: content-related broadcasting and non-broadcasting businesses focused on both regional and national markets, and non-content regional businesses addressing regional revitalization and problem-solving. Beyond content, broadcasters are engaging in activities such as disaster prevention information, local product promotion, event management, e-commerce, childcare, nursing care, digital transformation projects for municipalities, and acting as intermediaries in business succession and startup investment. The potential survival strategy for regional broadcast media lies in becoming hubs that connect people and organizations locally and externally, provided these new ventures can be economically viable rather than solely charitable. The continuation of these efforts will be further examined in forthcoming essays focusing on specific segments such as cable television, which has demonstrated noticeable revenue growth and business expansion.