Japan announces new chip plant, missile alert, typhoon and other key developments

Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corp. and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. disclosed a joint venture to begin mass production of advanced image sensors in Kumamoto Prefecture in 2029, committing a combined 747 billion yen to the project. The Japanese Defense Ministry confirmed that North Korea launched at least one ballistic missile eastward on Wednesday morning, which traveled roughly 690 km and landed outside Japan's exclusive economic zone without causing damage or casualties.

A typhoon named Chan-hom struck the Kanto region, bringing heavy rain, flood risks and rising river levels, and is expected to weaken as it moves toward western Japan. Aeon Co. revealed that staff were permitted to re-enter the quake-damaged Aeon Mall Kumamoto to retrieve personal items, a decision later linked to a blast that killed seven workers in late July. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency successfully launched an H3 rocket carrying the Michibiki 7 positioning satellite, marking the second consecutive successful launch after a failure the previous December.

The government is exploring the use of special local grants to compensate municipalities for revenue shortfalls from a planned reduction in the consumption tax on food and beverages starting in April 2027, a policy championed by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The digest also notes the death of former Japan Business Federation leader Hiroshi Okuda at age 93 and the upcoming reopening of Kumamoto Castle to the public after safety checks.