Lower-House Seat Cuts Clash: Japan’s ruling camp is pushing to shrink House of Representatives seats, but an editorial warns that forcing the change through would distort parliamentary politics and looks partisan, with the “how” and “why” still unclear. BOJ Rate-Hike Pressure: A BOJ board member says rates should be raised early if there’s no clear slowdown, as Iran-linked energy shocks risk turning into lasting inflation. Yen Intervention Talk: Japan may step back into currency markets again after U.S. Treasury chief Scott Bessent signaled support, amid fears of yen weakness and higher interest rates. Middle East Fallout: Tokyo is weighing legal options for Self-Defense Forces escorting Japan-linked ships near the Strait of Hormuz if a cease-fire holds. Markets: The Nikkei hit another intraday record as investors chase tech optimism, while oil-price uncertainty keeps a lid on sentiment. Rights & Courts: A Tokyo court blocked deportation of a Filipino trafficking victim, saying immigration failed to protect her. Pop Culture: Crunchyroll and Kodansha expand manga access, and Blue Lock keeps rolling into live-action and U.S. fan competitions.