Daily Briefing · 2026-09-19

First, financial market trends. It has been revealed that Berkshire Hathaway Chairman Buffett will step down after approximately 60 years. Attention is focused on the impact on the stock price and future investment strategy. There were major movements in the foreign exchange market. Following remarks by the Bank of Japan Governor, the yen fell to the 158 yen level, but then surged sharply, and the government and the Bank of Japan began preparing for yen-buying intervention, with the market showing unstable movements. Additionally, the Bank of Japan's interest rate hike is expected to increase corporate borrowing costs and household burdens. In the field of diplomacy and security. Prime Minister Takaichi met with President Trump at the UN General Assembly in New York and confirmed strengthened cooperation on China policy. A Japan-US defense ministers' meeting was also held, and increases in the defense budget and expanded defense deals with the US are expected. Geopolitical risks are also drawing attention. President Trump agreed to obtain permanent control rights over Greenland, increasing risks of deteriorating relations with Denmark and market volatility over Arctic interests. In Europe, Russian airspace violations have increased, raising concerns that heightened geopolitical risk will negatively affect financial markets. In the South China Sea, a collision occurred between a Philippine authority vessel and a China Coast Guard vessel, expanding concerns over trade and maritime logistics. In Russia, lower house elections were held, and the prolonged economic sanctions resulting from the continued invasion of Ukraine may deepen the damage to the Russian economy. Next, domestic price and consumption trends. Rice prices reached the 2,000 yen per kilogram range for the first time in 2 years, raising concerns both about increased farmer income and increased household burden. Starbucks revised prices for standard products such as lattes, and increases in consumer spending and improvements in corporate profitability are expected. In the industrial sector, Anthropic has begun offering advanced AI models for the life sciences field, and expansion of new revenue opportunities is expected. Corporate-related news. Fraudulent receipt of disability employment subsidies has come to light, and companies may face repayments and fines amounting to several hundred million yen. The number of bankruptcies among bento shops is expected to reach a record high, with management difficulties deepening across the industry.