SelfStaking

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%.

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.

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.

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.

China is gradually increasing its power generation capacity in the field of artificial intelligence research and development. By 2025, the new power generation capacity is expected to reach 470 gigawatts, seven times that of the United States, further widening the gap with the U.S. Low-cost electricity will become an important advantage for China in the US-China AI competition.

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.

The Japanese government will provide Malaysia with rare earth mining technology support, planning to offer equipment and environmental protection technology cooperation through ODA projects, aiming to diversify rare earth procurement channels. This is the first collaboration between the two countries in this field, with experts dispatched to promote the project and plans to invite Malaysian technicians to Japan for training.

Chinese company CEO Yang Zhilin from the dark side of the month announced at the GTC technology event that open-source models are gradually approaching top-tier levels, emphasizing Kimi K2.5's high performance and the goal of intelligent democratization, demonstrating a determination to compete with closed-source models in the United States.

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.

BYD faces unfavorable subsidy conditions in Japan. Due to the Japanese government changing the electric vehicle subsidies, BYD's subsidy remains at 350,000 yen and has not increased, while Toyota and Tesla received higher subsidies, demonstrating competitive pressure.

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 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.

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.

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.

The "global strategic models" in the global supply chain are disappearing. Tesla has ceased development of low-cost models, reflecting an increasing industry trend of "fragmentation," forcing automakers to reconstruct their business models. Tesla's "Model 2" project has been canceled, and they will continue to optimize the "Model Y" in the future.

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.

President Trump’s demand for Greenland has sparked tensions with eight European countries, potentially leading to the disintegration of NATO. Expert Ian Bremmer believes that Trump’s actions stem from personal vanity and lack of domestic support. If pressure continues, Europe may turn to cooperate with China.

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.