和泉 大樹(Daiki Izumi)

Japanese News

[June 4, 2026] Today’s Japanese News Roundup | From Flat-Rate Tax Cuts and the Latest AI Trends to Measures Against the Heat Wave

A curated selection of the latest Japanese news for 2026, complete with in-depth analysis. From the impact of the flat-rate tax cut on take-home pay and the latest trends in AI—including ChatGPT—to heatstroke prevention tips for surviving June’s record-breaking heatwave, this guide clearly covers trending topics that will be useful right away.
Japanese News

What Is Claude Mythos? An Explanation of the First-Ever AI Whose Public Release Was Postponed Due to “Uncontrollability”

In April 2026, the public release of “Claude Mythos,” the latest AI developed by Anthropic, was postponed, sparking widespread debate. We explain why it is being called “uncontrollable,” covering the “sandwich incident,” the discovery of vulnerabilities, the responses from various countries—including Japan—and the security measures you should take immediately.
Asset Formation

Strategies for Building Wealth in Your 50s and Utilizing Tax-Free Investment Programs | A Comprehensive Guide Covering Everything from the Features of iDeCo and NISA to Product Selection and 10-Year Savings Simulations

This guide explains asset-building strategies for those in their 50s and older. We start by working backward from public pensions and lifestyle considerations to provide a comprehensive comparison of the features and appropriate uses of iDeCo (Defined Contribution Pension) and NISA. We also present detailed numerical simulations of a specific investment strategy—“10 years of contributions, 10 years of investment, and 20 years of withdrawals”—utilizing balanced funds.
Pension・iDeCo

Can You Intentionally Reduce Your Pension to Qualify for Exemption from Resident Tax? Essential Tips and Common Misconceptions About Taxes, Side Jobs, and Property Tax

Can You Intentionally Reduce Your Pension to Qualify for Exemption from Resident Tax? A Tax Accountant Thoroughly Explains Tax Loopholes and Common Misconceptions! From the pitfalls of the “200,000-yen side job rule”—which many people misunderstand—to how to spot the “property tax calculation errors” that are rampant across local governments nationwide, this guide covers all the essential tips you need to know to avoid losing out.
Japanese News

[Today’s (May 18) Japanese News Roundup] Nikkei Average Drops Over 1,000 Points at One Point; Government Considers Supplementary Budget and Measures to Address AI Risks

[Updated May 18] A comprehensive roundup of today’s domestic news in Japan. We provide clear explanations of the most important topics you need to know right now, including the reasons behind the Nikkei Stock Average’s temporary drop of over 1,000 yen, the objectives of the supplementary budget Prime Minister Takaichi has ordered to be considered, the High-Performance AI Risk Countermeasures Conference, and the recent spate of incidents involving mobile battery fires.
economy

[Tax Burden Exceeds 50%] What Is the True Nature of the “De Facto Tax Hike” the Government Is Hiding? The Top 3 Most Harmful Tax Hikes and What We Should Do About Them

Japan’s effective tax burden exceeds 50%. What is the true nature of the “de facto tax hikes” the government is hiding? A clear explanation of the top three egregious tax hikes: child-rearing support payments, the Special Income Tax for Reconstruction, and the Forest Environment Tax.
economy

[The Truth Behind Japan’s 1,200 Trillion Yen National Debt] A Comprehensive Explanation of the “Real Mechanism” the Ministry of Finance Won’t Tell You

A Comprehensive Explanation of the True Nature of Japan’s 1,200 Trillion Yen National Debt. We clearly explain the mechanics of government bonds, the truths the Ministry of Finance won’t tell you, and the mechanism of credit creation, setting the record straight on common misconceptions about the Japanese economy.
Japanese Anime

[Breaking News] “Kagurabachi” to Get TV Anime Adaptation! Set to Air in April 2027, Produced by Cypic [Hot Topic from Jump]

The latest news on the TV anime *Kagurabachi*, set to premiere in April 2027. The series is produced by Cypic and directed by Tetsuya Takeuchi. Taiki Kimura has been cast as the protagonist, Chikou Rokuhei. Comments from the original author are also included.
Pension・iDeCo

A Guide to Pensions for Those Aged 60 and Over: A Comprehensive Explanation of the Rules for Continuing and Receiving iDeCo, Employer-Sponsored Defined Contribution (DC), and Defined Benefit (DB) Plans

Turning 60 marks a key milestone for restructuring your retirement plan. When is the deadline for enrolling in iDeCo, employer-sponsored DC plans, and DB (defined benefit) plans, and when can you start receiving benefits? In this article, we provide a comprehensive explanation based on the latest 2026 regulations, drawing on expert materials to cover the rules for continuing enrollment after age 60, the start dates for receiving benefits, and important considerations regarding total enrollment periods.
economy

Will Japan Never See Another Toyota or Sony? Data Reveals the Crucial Difference Between the “High Economic Growth Era” and “Today”

Why aren’t global companies like Toyota and Sony emerging from Japan today? By comparing the period of rapid economic growth with the present day, this article explains three decisive differences revealed by the data: “a shift in the nature of the ‘hungry spirit,’” “a reversal in demographic structure,” and “systemic fatigue in the education system.” We explore clues for breaking through the stagnation of the Japanese economy.