Bank of Japan & Markets: Japan’s Nikkei briefly topped 70,000 for the first time after the BOJ raised its key rate to 1%, lifting sentiment before trimming gains later in the day. Cybersecurity (SoftBank + OpenAI): SoftBank launched “Patching as a Service,” using OpenAI tech to help enterprises assess and remediate software vulnerabilities, starting with firms supporting Japan’s critical infrastructure. Green Tea & Brain Health: A large Japanese study of 8,766 older adults links drinking about three or more cups of green tea daily with fewer brain white-matter lesions tied to dementia risk. 5G Momentum: Ericsson reports global 5G subscriptions passed 3 billion in Q1 2026, with 5G traffic share rising fast and network slicing expanding. UK–Japan Tech & Energy Ties: PM Sanae Takaichi’s UK/Italy trip highlighted security and “frontier technology” cooperation, including offshore wind investment and support for emerging dual-use tech. Public Health (SFTS): Japan’s tick-borne SFTS cases are rising faster than last year’s pace, prompting renewed prevention guidance. Space/Launch Watch: Japan’s H3 rocket is back in flight after earlier setbacks, with another successful lift-off reported. Consumer Tech: Asics is upgrading tennis footwear R&D with HumanFab’s data-driven testing setup, while a Japanese-linked portable monitor model expands across major markets.