US-Japan tariff negotiations remained central, with Prime Minister Ishiba emphasizing Japan's commitment to free trade while rejecting that Japan was in a "disadvantageous position" during initial talks. The debate over expanding rice imports intensified as farmers strongly opposed the proposal being considered as a potential US concession.

Ishiba participated in his first party leaders' debate, defending his government's positions on trade while opposition leaders criticized his handling of negotiations. Meanwhile, Trump's tariff demands on Japan and South Korea continued to dominate coverage.

The Tokyo Stock Exchange requested all listed companies lower minimum investment amounts to approximately 100,000 yen to attract younger investors. Market attention also focused on Chinese tech giants stockpiling Nvidia chips ahead of US export restrictions, and US Treasury Secretary Bessent's statement that America would not seek "currency targets" from Japan - suggesting a potential easing of currency tensions after yesterday's dramatic yen surge.