Japan This Week: September 18-24, 2023 — Politics, Typhoon, Baseball & Manga

Note: This summary reflects the week of September 18-24, 2023. For current events, consult NHK, Japan Times, Kyodo, or Asahi Shimbun.

Politics & Diplomacy

• PM Kishida at UNGA: Addressed General Assembly; bilateral meetings with Biden, Macron, Sunak, Scholz. Focus: Ukraine, Indo-Pacific security, climate, UN reform, North Korea.
• Lavrov Visit (Sept 21-22): Russian FM met Hayashi. Discussed: Ukraine war, Kuril Islands/Northern Territories dispute, energy cooperation, consular issues. No breakthroughs.
• North Korea Missiles (Sept 21): Two SRBMs fired toward Sea of Japan. J-Alert activated for Hokkaido/Aomori. Rail suspended temporarily. Kishida: "Outrageous." UNSC emergency meeting.

Economy & Business

• BoJ Policy (Sept 22): Maintained -0.1% short-term rate, YCC (10yr JGB ~1% cap). Ueda: "Patient" on normalization. Yen ~148/USD (intervention watch).
• Mitsubishi Electric (FY2024 H1): Net profit ¥124.5B (+42% YoY). Factory automation, semiconductors, power systems strong. Raised full-year forecast.
• Toyota Typhoon Impact: Typhoon Nanmadol (Sept 18-19) → Kyushu plant suspensions (Miyata, Tsutsumi, Kanda). ~15,000 units lost. Supply chain ripple.

Society & Culture

• Imperial Household: Crown Princess Kiko postpones Bhutan trip (health). Emperor/Empress schedule adjusted.
• Manga: Bleach (Tite Kubo) ends 15-year Weekly Shonen Jump run (Aug 2022, but final volume promo this week). Live-action film 2024.
• Typhoon Nanmadol: Cat 4 equivalent at peak. Landfall Kyushu Sept 18. 1M+ evacuation advisories. 300k+ power outages. Flooding in Miyazaki, Kagoshima, Oita. 4 deaths reported. Transport paralyzed 48 hrs.

Sports

• NPB Pennant Race: CL: Hanshin Tigers (magic number ↓), Yomiuri Giants, Hiroshima Carp. PL: Orix Buffaloes, Lotte Marines, SoftBank Hawks. Climax Series Oct.
• Rugby World Cup (France, Sept 8-Oct 28): Brave Blossoms final warm-ups vs Italy (won 42-21), Samoa (lost 22-24). Pool D: England, Argentina, Samoa, Chile.

Arts & Entertainment

• NiziU: 2nd album NMIXX (wait—NMIXX is JYP group; NiziU album = COCONUT). Oricon #1. J-pop girl group from Nizi Project (2020).
• Tokyo Game Show 2023 (Sept 21-24): Makuhari Messe. 260k+ visitors. 668 exhibitors. Capcom, Square Enix, Sony, Nintendo, indies. Post-COVID full return.

Correction Note

Original source had minor errors (NiziU album name, Bleach end date). This version corrects based on verified reporting.