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Ministers from Japan and Britain met for their first "two-plus-two" economic dialogue in Tokyo, agreeing to uphold free and fair international trade amidst rising global tariff tensions. They also pledged collaboration on WTO reforms, climate change strategies, and ensuring a balanced global economic playing field.

Asian stocks got off to a mixed start on Monday as uncertainty over President Donald Trump's next move on tariffs persisted, with China leading losses and Japan edging higher. Wall Street rebounded on Friday after a volatile week, with the Federal Reserve Chair easing market concerns and U.S. job growth accelerating.

Tokyo authorities have announced plans to subsidize smartphone purchases for elderly residents to encourage digital access and inclusivity. While implementation details remain under discussion, the initiative includes wider community tech assistance and a promotional strategy for a government-developed multipurpose application.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has emphasized that Japan alone determines its own defence budget decisions, rejecting suggestions from a former U.S. Pentagon nominee to increase spending significantly. Japan reaffirmed its focus on the substance and quality of its defence capabilities rather than adhering strictly to a specific GDP benchmark.

The Japanese government's decision to incorporate the Science Council of Japan (SCJ) has sparked concerns about academic freedom, despite efforts to strengthen state oversight. The legislation, if passed, would transform the SCJ into a special corporation by October 2026, removing the Prime Minister's role in selecting new members but introducing measures such as an auditor post and an evaluation committee to increase government o...