An analysis of census data by KYODO published last Sunday shows that between 2020 and 2025 one-quarter of Japan's municipalities experienced population declines exceeding 10%. The number of municipalities with such falls rose to 477 in 2020–25 from 247 in 2015–20. Suzu in Ishikawa prefecture recorded the largest drop, 34%; the city was heavily damaged by a 2024 earthquake. In Iwate and Akita prefectures in northeastern Japan, and in Kochi prefecture in western Japan, more than half of municipali

Judo Bank economic adviser Warren Hogan said the Reserve Bank of Australia remains uneasy about the inf outlook and keeps the option of further rate hikes open. Despite escalation in the Iran conflict, Brent crude is only around $77/bbl, and market pricing suggests any supply shock will be contained rather than persistent. The RBA wants greater confidence that the fuel-price shock will not have lasting effects; it has not reached that level of certainty.

On July 13 morning Duofuduo shares hit the daily down-limit; at midday the stock was 36.99 yuan, down 10%. On July 10 the company disclosed a 1H 2026 profit forecast of 450–560 mln yuan in net profit attributable to shareholders, up 776.68–990.98% YoY. Market participants said LiPF6 (lithium hexafluorophosphate) prices softened in Q2 while upstream lithium carbonate rose, squeezing margins and reducing per-ton profits. After a prior sharp share rally the company clarified semiconductor-grade hydrofluoric acid represents a negligible share of sales and it has no production line, products or substantive orders for tungsten hexafluoride, so short-term delivery is unlikely. Duofuduo said the industry has seasonal Q2 weakness in prices and shipments, lithium carbonate increases have an impact, and the company may raise product prices to offset higher raw-material costs. Third-party quotes put LiPF6 near 100,000 yuan/ton. Company-specific details will be disclosed in the formal interim report.