US-Japan trade tensions escalated as the US firmly rejected Japan's request for exemption from the "reciprocal" tariffs, continuing the trajectory from previous days when Japan objected to the US framework excluding automobile tariffs. This development threatens to influence Japan's upcoming Upper House election.

Emperor Emeritus Akihito was hospitalized with suspected myocardial ischemia, drawing national attention. Disaster preparedness concerns emerged with reports that 60% of municipalities lack essential supplies for potential Nankai Trough evacuations.

Morning reports highlighted growing ASEAN-plus-3 concerns about rising protectionism following US tariff announcements. Japan-India defense cooperation deepened with agreement on a new dialogue body. In corporate news, Warren Buffett will remain Berkshire Hathaway chairman after stepping down as CEO, with succession plans formalized following his retirement announcement yesterday.