SelfStaking

After the United States and Israel attacked Iran, gold prices remained weak, affected by the appreciation of the US dollar and rising interest rates. Meanwhile, financial market volatility increased, and investors sold off gold to offset losses. The New York futures gold price continued to decline, failing to become a safe-haven asset.

In the 2025 international commodities market, precious metal prices are rising. Silver has surpassed oil prices for the first time, reflecting China's decarbonization and economic deflation risks. A Bank of America Securities report shows that the silver-to-oil price ratio is below 1, with silver reaching a record high while oil prices have fallen to their lowest in nearly five years.

Since its launch in 2017, SoftBank Group's Vision Fund has increased its total investments to $163.2 billion, with pre-tax investment gains of approximately ¥3.7 trillion. Despite challenges, the fund's improved performance has strengthened the group's financial position and promoted investments in the AI sector.

In 2025, Japan's imported car sales are expected to increase by 7%, reaching 243,129 units, with pure electric vehicle sales growing by 26%, setting a new record. Tesla and BYD performed notably in the Japanese market, with Tesla's sales surpassing 10,000 units for the first time, and BYD's sales increasing by 62%.

Semiconductor memory DRAM prices increased by 40% in November to December 2025, mainly due to strong demand from data center AI servers, leading to supply shortages in the civilian sector. The tight supply has caused a rare phenomenon where large-volume transactions cannot be formed, with DDR5 and DDR3 product prices soaring significantly, indicating a risk of a bubble in the memory market.

By 2025, China's automobile sales are expected to lead the world for the first time, surpassing Japan with approximately 27 million units, becoming the top car exporter. Countries may strengthen protective measures to counter Chinese companies' competition.

Due to the tense situation in the Middle East and rising crude oil prices, the yen depreciation has intensified, and the market is no longer actively buying yen. The yen against the US dollar once depreciated to a low of 157.90, with investors expressing concerns about future trade deficits.

In the second year of the Trump administration, Japanese companies donated as much as 10 billion yen to the U.S. to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence. Although the legitimacy of this was questioned, companies still felt strong pressure and had to compromise.

Chinese AI semiconductor companies are rapidly developing, with companies like Moore Thread actively entering the market to increase domestic self-sufficiency, aiming to reach 80% by 2026. Zhang Jianzhong emphasized that new products can meet the needs of local developers and reduce reliance on foreign sources.

The integration of data and artificial intelligence in manufacturing sites is driving a competitive surge in robot development. SoftBank's acquisition of ABB's robotics business has prompted collaboration between Yaskawa Electric and Fanuc, helping Japanese companies revive their robotics industry. Masayoshi Son stated that integrating AI with robotics technology will achieve a revolutionary evolution.

Toyota has unveiled three ultra-luxury sports cars in "Woven City," a technology validation city in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, with plans to launch around 2027. Among them, the "GR GT" will be the first to feature a 4.0L V8 engine, while the hybrid "Prius" introduces a large-displacement engine under environmental regulations, aiming to create a top-tier sports car.

The Chinese yuan continues to appreciate, with the January 5 exchange rate rising to 6.97 yuan per US dollar, reaching a new high in over two years. Influenced by trade surplus and other factors, Chinese authorities have maintained a restrained stance on the currency's appreciation. In 2025, the yuan briefly broke through the 7 yuan mark before rising again to 6.9770 yuan.

By 2025, three Chinese companies will enter the top 20 global semiconductor manufacturing equipment firms, with the domestic localization rate expected to increase to 20%~30%. Despite U.S. export restrictions, China is still building an independent supply chain, which may pose a threat to Japan and the U.S. in the future. North Huachuang Technology Group expects a 21% increase in sales.

In areas outside Tokyo, Japan, the prices of newly built residential buildings have risen significantly, with average housing prices exceeding 10 times the local annual income, making it difficult for ordinary salaried families to buy homes. The national price-to-income ratio is 10.38 times, indicating that single-income families find it hard to afford new homes. Experts point out that a more realistic range for house prices is 5 to 7 times annual income.

On January 7th, Trump directed the U.S. government to withdraw from 66 international organizations and treaties, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, further indicating America's departure from multilateralism and shifting towards a policy of establishing order through strength.

Denso has made a ¥1.3 trillion acquisition offer to ROHM, planning to acquire all of its shares through a tender offer (TOB). This will strengthen its market position in the power semiconductor sector, especially in electric vehicles and data centers, marking a shift for Japanese companies from collaboration to mergers and acquisitions.

Iran blocks the Strait of Hormuz, and Japan responds cautiously. The Chief Cabinet Secretary stated that it has not been recognized as a major impact event or a crisis of existence, a concept originating from the 2015 security law.

Japan adjusts electric vehicle subsidy policies, leading to market segmentation. In China, BYD's vehicle subsidies remain unchanged, contrasting with local automakers. The EV subsidy cap has been raised to 1.3 million yen, while subsidies for fuel cell vehicles have been reduced. The relevant policies consider future development needs.

After the United States and Israel attacked Iran, gold prices remained weak, affected by the appreciation of the US dollar and rising interest rates. Meanwhile, financial market volatility increased, and investors sold off gold to offset losses. The New York futures gold price continued to decline, failing to become a safe-haven asset.

Since its launch in 2017, SoftBank Group's Vision Fund has increased its total investments to $163.2 billion, with pre-tax investment gains of approximately ¥3.7 trillion. Despite challenges, the fund's improved performance has strengthened the group's financial position and promoted investments in the AI sector.