Daily Briefing · 2026-10-17

On a weekly basis, it recorded a decline of 4.5%. The US fiscal deficit reached 314 trillion yen, the third-largest scale on record. The main cause was an increase in interest payments due to rising interest rates. Due to concerns over an attack on the Strait of Hormuz, New York crude oil futures surpassed $100 per barrel. The White House press secretary resigned after 5 days in office, spreading concerns over declining credibility of the administration. The UN Secretary-General election was not decided even after a sixth round of voting, due to the exercise of veto power by permanent member states. In Saudi Arabia, drone attacks by the Houthis continued, with effects on economic activity including the postponement of an international conference. Russian President Putin claimed that approximately 6,500 square kilometers of territory had been seized within the year. While the EU summit confirmed continued support for Ukraine, the US is considering partially lifting sanctions on Russian diesel. China's Premier Li Qiang emphasized that the Taiwan issue is an inviolable red line. Toyota outlined a policy to convert all its vehicle models to software-defined vehicles by 2030. Tesla unveiled a demonstration of a flying car equipped with thrusters performing a loop, and its stock price rose. At Nidec, a lawsuit against Chairman Nagamori and others is under consideration, with concerns pointed out over rising corporate governance risk. Regarding the Hokkaido Shimbun reporter detained in Russia, a consular visit by the Japanese embassy has not yet been realized. In the restaurant industry, the three low-price family restaurant chains Gusto, Saizeriya, and Royal Host are intensifying competition through store opening strategies and management efficiency improvements.