Tokyo stocks suffered a sharp sell-off on November 6 as growing concerns over a slowdown in artificial intelligence investment sent the Nikkei 225 plunging more than 4,300 points at one stage, pushing the benchmark below the psychologically important 60,000 level following a sweeping Democratic victory in the U.S. midterm elections.

Nissan Motor is stepping up efforts to revive its struggling business through new vehicle development, sweeping cost reductions and an overhaul of its sales strategy, as President and CEO Ivan Espinosa seeks to restore the Japanese automaker's competitiveness following consecutive years of massive losses.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree placing the Russian operations of Japan Tobacco (JT) under the temporary management of a local company, effectively stripping the Japanese tobacco giant of control over its business in the country and prompting a formal protest from Tokyo demanding that the measure be immediately withdrawn.

Sony Group reported a record net profit of 791.7 billion yen for the six months from April to September 2026, up 38% from a year earlier, driven by strong performance in its film business, including the worldwide success of a new installment in the Spider-Man franchise.

As of 3 a.m. on November 6, Typhoon No. 31 (In-fa) was moving northeast across the Pacific Ocean east of Japan at 75 kilometers per hour and was expected to become an extratropical cyclone by Friday afternoon, although dangerous swells and high waves could continue along Japan's Pacific coast throughout the day.

Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko visited a museum in Tokyo's Roppongi district at around 7 p.m. on November 4 to view a collection of Renaissance artworks from the Louvre Museum in Paris, showing particular interest in how European culture spread across regions during the period.

Japan's Digital Agency began offering a trial version of a generative artificial intelligence application on October 30 to help government officials prepare responses to parliamentary questions, aiming to reduce the workload of approximately 180,000 government employees and address the long working hours faced by national civil servants.

The Japanese government is preparing to establish a new cybersecurity response team comprising experts from the public and private sectors, with plans to dispatch specialists to companies and organizations facing serious cyberattacks following a series of unauthorized intrusions and information leaks.

Japan's government is facing growing pressure from opposition lawmakers to clarify who will qualify for a new financial support program and how much they will receive, as deliberations on legislation to reduce the consumption tax on food and introduce payments for low- and middle-income earners enter their final stages in the House of Representatives.

Japanese calligraphy is set to be added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list after an evaluation body recommended its registration on November 5th, paving the way for the traditional art form to become Japan's 24th entry and its first since traditional sake brewing was recognized in 2024.

Tokyo's Nikkei 225 Stock Average closed at 61,077.90 on Thursday, November 5, falling 1,110.73 points, or 1.79%, from the previous session in its fourth consecutive daily decline, as heavy selling in semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related shares dragged the benchmark to its lowest closing level in about five and a half months, despite gains across much of the broader market.

Japanese monthly magazine Nikkei Trendy has unveiled its ranking of the top 30 products and services expected to become hits in 2027, with "anti-AI" emerging as the central theme as consumers increasingly seek ways to distinguish genuine human activity from artificial intelligence-generated content.

A smartphone caught fire at Narita Airport's Terminal 1 shortly after 7:30 a.m. on November 4th, prompting the dispatch of 10 fire trucks and other emergency vehicles before the blaze was extinguished about 30 minutes later, with no injuries reported.

Japan's top 30 hit products of 2026 were announced on November 3rd by Nikkei Trendy, highlighting a growing trend toward "pocket consumption," as consumers facing rising prices increasingly seek affordable products that deliver satisfaction, convenience and enjoyable experiences without putting a strain on household budgets.

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group plans to eliminate physical cash cards at a new digital bank scheduled to launch by March 2027, introducing smartphone-based cash withdrawals as part of efforts to strengthen cybersecurity following a surge in unauthorized access to corporate systems.

Personal information belonging to approximately 1.09 million MUJI Card members may have been leaked following unauthorized access, Ryohin Keikaku, the operator of MUJI stores, announced on November 4, while restaurant chain Denny's also reported a possible data breach involving customer information.

A memorial service was held at a cemetery in Tokyo's Itabashi Ward on the morning of November 4 to honor police and security dogs that served in criminal investigations, disaster rescue operations, and other police duties, with 11 dogs newly laid to rest since late September 2025.

Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average closed at 62,188.63 on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, falling 893.23 points, or 1.42%, from the previous trading session as heavy selling in semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related stocks swept through Tokyo markets following the U.S. midterm elections, although a strong afternoon recovery helped the benchmark recover much of its earlier losses.

Tokyo's historic Sensoji Temple in Taito Ward was transformed into a dazzling nighttime spectacle on October 30th as a projection mapping event began, bringing 1,400 years of history and culture to life across the temple's main hall and Hozomon Gate.

An 18-year-old Japanese cybersecurity expert has uncovered evidence suggesting that the hacker behind a major cyberattack on GMO Internet Group may be operating from Asia, as the company offers a reward of approximately 150 million yen for information leading to the attacker's identification and investigates more than 700 tips received from the public.

A new rest facility featuring the first cafe inside the Imperial Palace opened in Tokyo's East Gardens on November 3, offering visitors a rooftop terrace with panoramic views, exhibits on the Imperial Family, and exclusive souvenirs.

Emperor Naruhito presented the Order of Culture to seven recipients at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on November 3rd, Japan's Culture Day, honoring their outstanding achievements and contributions to the country's cultural development.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi held rare bilateral talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of a G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 30 and 31, raising questions about whether Russian President Vladimir Putin could return to major international summits and how Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi would respond to a possible encounter with the Russian leader.

The Bank of Japan has declared that Japan's underlying inflation rate has reached its long-standing 2% target, marking a milestone in its effort to overcome decades of deflation, even as consumers continue to struggle with food prices rising far faster than the central bank's benchmark.

The Museum of the Imperial Collections at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo will reopen on November 3 following a major renovation that has expanded its interior space eightfold, with a series of special exhibitions featuring artworks associated with Japan's Imperial Family, including folding screens depicting scenes from The Tale of Genji and a celebrated painting by Ito Jakuchu.