The second half of the 2026 Golden Week holiday period has begun.
Today in Japan, a wide range of topics are drawing attention, including strong measures by the government and the Bank of Japan to stem the yen’s decline, shifts in public opinion ahead of Constitution Day,
and intense competition in the sports world.
- 1. Economy: Government and BOJ Consider “5 Trillion Yen” Currency Intervention; Yen Buying Accelerates
- 2. Politics: Support and opposition to “amending Article 9” remain evenly split ahead of Constitution Day
- 3. Society & Leisure: The Second Half of Golden Week! Peak Traffic on the Highways and the “Twilight Safari”
- 4. Sports: Japan’s Women’s 3×3 National Team Faces the World’s Toughest Competition
- Summary
1. Economy: Government and BOJ Consider “5 Trillion Yen” Currency Intervention; Yen Buying Accelerates
What shook the markets during the holiday period was the sharp fluctuation in the foreign exchange market.
- Currency Intervention
Market estimates suggest that between the evening of April 30 and May 1, the government and the Bank of Japan carried out currency intervention involving the purchase of yen and sale of dollars on a scale of 5 to 6 trillion yen. - Current State of the Yen Exchange Rate
Although the yen briefly surged to the mid-155 yen range, as of May 2, it has shown signs of returning to the 157 yen range, indicating that the tug-of-war with speculators continues. - Impact on Households
In addition to a series of price hikes (such as Shikishima Baking’s announcement of up to a 9% price increase for its “Choshu” bread), rising import costs due to the weak yen remain a cause for concern.
2. Politics: Support and opposition to “amending Article 9” remain evenly split ahead of Constitution Day
With Constitution Day on May 3 approaching, the results of the latest public opinion poll conducted by Kyodo News have been released.
- Amendment of Article 9
Public opinion is split down the middle, with 50% saying it is “necessary” and 48% saying it is “not necessary.” - State of Emergency Provisions
A high 84% of respondents support extending the terms of Diet members, indicating a strong interest in practical discussions about constitutional revision. - Trends in the Takaichi Administration
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi aims to propose a constitutional amendment by next year’s party convention, but the key issue is how to bridge the gap between her stance and public opinion.
3. Society & Leisure: The Second Half of Golden Week! Peak Traffic on the Highways and the “Twilight Safari”
During the second half of the long holiday, popular tourist spots are bustling with people.
- Traffic Information
Traffic congestion on southbound lanes is expected to peak from the 2nd to the 3rd.
Traffic jams exceeding 30 km are forecast on major expressways, and drivers are urged to spread out their travel times. - Trending Spots
“Hands-on” experiences are popular this year. Limited-time events held in the evening or at dusk, such as the “Twilight Safari” at Gunma Safari Park, are trending on social media. - Weather
While April saw the third-highest temperatures on record, on May 2, a low-pressure system moving northward means residents in the Tohoku region and elsewhere should be on alert for strong winds.
4. Sports: Japan’s Women’s 3×3 National Team Faces the World’s Toughest Competition
As preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics continue, a highly anticipated match took place.
- FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series
The opening round was held in Chengdu, China. The Japanese national team suffered narrow defeats against Poland and China, resulting in their elimination in the preliminary round. - Looking Ahead
Sakura Noguchi and her teammates have identified “the speed at which teams adjust to the game” as an area for improvement and are determined to bounce back at the next tournament in Manila (May 7–8).
Summary
May 2, 2026, is a day marked by a mix of economic uncertainty and the sense of relief following the long holiday weekend.
In particular, movements in the foreign exchange market are directly linked to the stock market and inflation following the holiday break, so we will need to keep a close eye on them going forward.
