1. A survey by Japan’s labor ministry has found that the increase in average wages hit a record high this year since record-keeping began in its current form in 1999.
2. In the latest NHK poll, 52 percent of respondents said they have expectations for the newly elected leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Takaichi Sanae, while 44 percent said they do not.
3. The International Monetary Fund raised its global economic growth forecast for this year, saying US import tariffs have had limited effect so far. But it warns the tariffs and resulting trade tensions still pose significant risks to overall economic stability.