CUSTOMS: China imported 63,323 tonnes of rare earths in January–July.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Japan’s right wing has long distorted wartime history and that recent moves by ruling authorities to expand the military, seek stronger US nuclear protection and attempt to overturn the Three Non‑Nuclear Principles risk undermining regional stability. He warned some senior Diet officials have even called for autonomous possession of nuclear weapons. Marking 81 years since Hiroshima and the 80th anniversary of the Tokyo trials, Lin urged Japan to respect history, face international concerns and properly discharge its international legal obligations not to proliferate nuclear weapons.

SK Hynix has expanded purchases of South Korea's domestic corporate bonds; credit analysts and market participants estimate this year’s purchases at about 10–40 tln won (~$7–28 bln), with the upper range including commercial paper. A recent job posting for a role to manage, strategize and hedge company funds — including fixed-income investments across government bonds, corporate bonds and short-term debt — signals stepped-up market activity. Cash and cash equivalents stood at 88 tln won at end-Q2, up roughly 62% QoQ; despite higher capex, investable cash continues to accumulate, providing an incremental source of demand in a market usually dominated by institutional investors.