North Korea launched an ICBM early morning, prompting condemnation from Japan and the U.S. The missile's flight time of 86 minutes was the longest recorded. The Bank of Japan maintained its interest rates, with Governor Ueda suggesting future rate hikes if economic forecasts materialize. The Los Angeles Dodgers, featuring Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, clinched their 8th World Series title in a dramatic comeback. Japan's antitrust watchdog ordered four major non-life insurers to pay over 2 billion yen in fines for price-fixing. The Liberal Democratic Party and Nippon Ishin no Kai agreed to policy consultations, potentially forming a "partial coalition." Reports emerged of a record number of school absentees, exceeding 340,000 students.