Warren Buffett's announced retirement as Berkshire Hathaway CEO dominated financial news, marking the end of an era for the investment world after 60 years of leadership that increased stock value 60,000-fold. The "North Star of American capitalism" announced his departure at a shareholders meeting in Omaha.

Territorial tensions escalated as Japan reported a Chinese Coast Guard helicopter violated airspace near the Senkaku Islands—the fourth such intrusion—with China later rejecting this assertion and instead blaming a Japanese civilian aircraft. This diplomatic incident occurs amid ongoing US-Japan trade negotiations over automobile tariffs, which remain contentious after Japan's firm rejection of the US framework proposal.

Domestic news revealed political finance improprieties with 20 governors implicated in mishandling organizational donations. Consumer concerns persisted with analysis of stubbornly high rice prices, while early "U-turn rush" traffic marked the conclusion of Golden Week holidays.