Crypto Regulation Shift: Japan’s Lower House approved a bill to reclassify cryptocurrencies as financial products, cutting capital-gains tax on coins like Bitcoin and Ether from a peak 55% to 20% and paving the way for crypto ETFs, with the law still needing Upper House approval. Energy Security: PM Sanae Takaichi says Japan has secured stable crude supplies through March 2028 despite the Iran war, using alternative imports and stockpile releases, while she plans three G7 principles for free, transparent energy trade and bigger strategic reserves. Markets & Business Mood: Tokyo stocks were mixed as Middle East tensions flared; separately, a government survey found major firms’ sentiment worsening for April–June, dragged by higher material costs. Rare Earth Squeeze: Japanese firms are pushing back against China’s dual-use export curbs; Shin-Etsu Chemical plans a new rare-earth refining facility in Fukui with government support to reduce reliance on China. Local Safety: A bear was trapped and culled near Kuji Port in Iwate after sightings; in Utsunomiya, a 100-kg bear was captured after school closures. Tokyo Crime: Police are searching for two suspects after an alleged street robbery near Ikebukuro left a Chinese woman with minor head injuries and about 8 million yen stolen. Sports & Culture: Freiburg signed Japan forward Keisuke Gotō from Anderlecht; and anime/music fans get updates as “Grand Blue Dreaming” season 3 debuts July 6 and “Ghost in the Shell” TV anime ending track “Blue” drops July 7.