News

The U.S. stock market experienced a volatile day on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, with the S&P 500 gaining 0.5% after swinging between an early gain of 1.3% and a later loss. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also fluctuated significantly, ending with a loss of 0.2%, while the Nasdaq composite climbed 1.2%.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba hosted a dinner for 15 first-time ruling party lawmakers, offering advice and encouragement while facing criticism for gifting them 100,000 yen certificates. The lawmakers, who consider themselves "Ishiba children," discussed policy issues and the upcoming Upper House election.

Global equities rebounded on Tuesday, offering a temporary respite from recent volatility, as investors reacted positively to the ceasefire agreement between Ukraine and Russia. However, concerns regarding the potential economic impact of U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports continued to cast a shadow over the markets, raising questions about the sustainability of the rebound.

Japan sent a Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer through the Taiwan Strait for the first time in early February, sending a political message to China and countering its growing military presence in the region. The move follows China's increased activity around the Sakishima Islands and other areas.

The Japanese government has decided to explore the use of human challenge trials for vaccine and drug development, aiming to improve its preparedness for future infectious disease outbreaks. This initiative, included in a newly approved medical research plan, involves deliberately exposing healthy volunteers to viruses or other pathogens to study disease progression and evaluate the effectiveness of potential treatments.