Japan-Philippines Tech & Energy Diplomacy: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met former PM Fumio Kishida in Tokyo on Japan’s $10B POWERR Asia energy-resilience push, aimed at renewables, low-carbon tech, and energy stockpiles as Middle East risks linger. National Security & Investment Screening: Japan enacted a revised foreign investment law to tighten pre-screening via a cross-ministerial, U.S.-style panel, targeting leakage of critical tech and intelligence. Defense & Industry Linkages: Japan and the Philippines pledged to upgrade the Luzon Economic Corridor into a “world-class” hub, prioritizing rail/ports, clean energy, semiconductors, digital connectivity, and agribusiness—while also agreeing on defense equipment and technology transfers. Quantum Expansion: German quantum firm QUDORA launched QUDORA Japan K.K. in Tokyo to grow Asia-Pacific quantum partnerships. AI Safety Awareness: A Trend Micro study in Singapore found many people use AI for major life events, but most feel unconfident spotting AI scams and deepfakes. Materials for Semiconductors: AGC completed UL 2809 third-party verification for recycled fluorine content in AFLAS™ FFKM used in semiconductor manufacturing. EV Strategy Shift: Toyota will halt development of a next-gen Lexus EV model (LF-ZC) while continuing advanced tech work like all-solid-state batteries. Health Tech Updates: Otsuka presented Phase 3 post hoc analyses for centanafadine in adult ADHD, and AstraZeneca’s IMFINZI+BCG regimen won U.S. approval for BCG-naïve high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.