Heat Crisis in Tokyo Zoos: Tama Zoological Park says three lions died of suspected heatstroke amid Japan’s record heatwave, with 10 of 16 lions falling ill and the enclosure closed since July 23. Defense Policy: Japan released its “Defense of Japan 2026” white paper, warning of a worsening security environment and laying groundwork for faster military buildup and revisions to key security documents. Currency & Markets: Japan and the U.S. confirmed rare coordinated yen-buying, reviving carry-trade worries as the yen swings; Tokyo stocks later rose on buybacks tied to AI and semiconductors. Auto Sector: Toyota lifted its FY2027 profit outlook and announced a major share buyback, citing a weaker yen and logistics changes; Nissan also reported better-than-expected results. Immigration Rules: Japan proposed tougher permanent residency requirements, including income benchmarks and pension-related projections, with changes planned for April 2027. Regional Tensions: South Korea lodged a strong protest after Japan reaffirmed its Dokdo/Takeshima claim in its latest defense white paper. Business/Travel Tech: Garena and Pocketpair announced Palworld Online for mobile, bringing the creature-collecting survival game into a persistent shared world.