Japan-ROK Diplomacy: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican, inviting him to visit Seoul for World Youth Day 2027, while a cardinal said any papal trip to North Korea hinges on Pyongyang’s conditions. Philippines-Japan Security: Japan will join a Philippines-U.S. marines parachute drill in Batanes, underscoring deepening defense ties as China watches closely. Japan Economy/Markets: The Bank of Japan lifted rates to 1.0%—a 31-year high—citing inflation risks tied to the Middle East and the weak yen. Japan Tech & Cybersecurity: SoftBank and OpenAI launched “Patching as a Service” to help protect Japan’s critical infrastructure from AI-driven cyberattacks. Japan Competition Law: Japan’s antitrust watchdog searched major ice-cream makers over suspected price-collusion. China Geopolitics & Security: Beijing denied EU claims it trained Russian soldiers for Ukraine and accused foreign “spy turtles” of monitoring Chinese waters. China Trade & Industry: China’s rare-earth export value jumped 44.9% in Jan–May despite stable volumes, highlighting strategic demand. Korea Culture/Industry: Korea’s culture ministry backed 10 indie K-pop agencies with grants to boost global reach beyond the “Big Four” dominance. Human Rights: Authorities in Angeles City arrested three Korean men accused of using Filipino minors in an unauthorized gaming operation.