Japan economy · October 2026

Japan's largest power producer, JERA, is partnering with Dell Technologies on a $15 billion data center project, according to company announcements on October 1, 2026. The collaboration aims to build AI-ready computing infrastructure in Japan. The project reflects growing demand for data processing capacity in the region. Financial terms and construction timelines were not immediately disclosed. The Tokyo District Court granted legal protection to human voices in an AI voice cloning case on October 1, 2026. The ruling recognizes voice rights in the context of AI-generated replicas. The decision follows a lawsuit involving unauthorized voice synthesis. (ongoing coverage) Japan's tea farmers are experiencing a matcha boom, with increased demand for the powdered green tea. The surge in popularity has affected production and sales across the country. General Motors retained its US sales crown, but Toyota is closing in, according to sales data. The competition between the automakers continues in the US market. Japanese companies are exiting China in record numbers, according to business reports. The trend marks a significant shift in corporate presence in the Chinese market.