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One of the recent talking points in Japan is the movement of the yen. This impacts import prices; a weaker yen leads to surging import prices, driving people toward cheaper goods or causing them to cut back on consumption.

According to this graph, the joint intervention by Japan and the US on July 31 clearly triggered a sharp shift toward a stronger yen through August and September. However, whether this trend will continue raises several issues that need to be examined.

1.   Interest Rate Differential Between Japan and the US: While the US Federal Reserve's interest rate sits around 3.75–4%, the Bank of Japan's rate has only recently reached 1.25%. Ceteris paribus (all else being equal), global funds will naturally flow toward the United States.

1.   Yen Carry Trade: This involves borrowing the low-interest yen, selling it to exchange for US dollars, and purchasing assets like US Treasuries to profit from the interest rate differential. It is said that the biggest profits for investment firms lately come from this yen carry trade. Because it yields steady returns with minimal risk, massive amounts of capital are being directed into this strategy. Since it involves selling yen and buying dollars, it acts as a cause of depreciation for the yen.

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Polyphenols prevent cardiovascular disease
(From NIKKEI Gooday)

"It has been found that people who consume a greater variety and amount of polyphenols have a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease."

Why is this article important? If we look at the top five leading causes of death for men and women based on the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s Vital Statistics (2025 Overview), cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases rank as major causes right after cancer and old age. Thanks to advancements in treatments, and by quitting alcohol and tobacco while managing one's physical condition, cancer is increasingly becoming a curable disease.

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"Organkines (a general term for organ-derived hormones, cytokines, etc.)"

1. Gemini

The concept that various parts of the body transmit signals, communicating with the entire body and other organs to maintain health and metabolism, is a cutting-edge theme attracting significant attention in modern medicine and biology.

Beginning with "mitokines" (signaling molecules released from mitochondria), it has become clear that almost all organs and tissues—including muscles, fat, bones, the liver, the gut, and the brain—function as "endocrine organs (organs that secrete hormones)," releasing signaling molecules (bioactive substances) into the bloodstream to communicate with the entire body.

These are collectively called "organkines" (a general term for organ-derived hormones, cytokines, etc.) or "humoral factors." Let's take a look at how these systems specifically work.

"Myokines" released from muscle (Representative examples: myokines in general, IL-6, etc.)

Muscle is not just for moving the body; through contraction, it secretes numerous hormone-like substances (myokines).
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