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June 30, 2026
 

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TECH

A humanoid robot is displayed at the Humanoids Summit in Tokyo on Thursday.
BUSINESS / Tech
May 29, 2026
Labor shortage fuels ramp-up of humanoid robot development
Declining birth rates across the globe are driving an “unprecedented wave of investment” in robots to sustain workforces.
Multilayer ceramic capacitors, which are tiny components that regulate and stabilize power flow in electronic devices, are becoming a growing bottleneck in the construction of artificial intelligence data centers.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 29, 2026
Taiyo Yuden sees ‘scary’ levels of AI parts demand risking supply chain
The Tokyo-based company and Murata Manufacturing comprise the bulk of the world’s supplies of high-end multilayer ceramic capacitors needed for artificial intelligence.
A BYD Dolphin Surf electric vehicle at the model's launch event in Paris in 2025. BYD on Thursday unveiled what it calls China’s first automotive-grade 4-nanometer chip for self-driving cars.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 29, 2026
BYD debuts China’s most advanced EV chip in smart-driving push
The carmaker’s automotive-grade 4-nanometer chip will help its computer-assisted driving system to stand out from a crowded market.
The Nvidia logo at the company's annual developers conference in San Jose on March 16. Japan is one of many locations in Asia where Chinese companies access American AI chips — by renting hardware that’s owned by foreign firms and installed in overseas data centers.
BUSINESS
May 28, 2026
Taiwan suspects Nvidia chips smuggled to China via Japan
Japan is one of many locations in Asia where Chinese companies access American AI chips — by renting hardware that’s owned by foreign firms and installed in overseas data centers.
The transport ministry urged executives of infrastructure operators to play active roles in taking measures against cyberattacks and secure sufficient funding and personnel.
JAPAN
May 28, 2026
Government urges transport firms to guard against AI misuse
The instructions were made at a meeting with operators from six infrastructure sectors, also including ports, airports, logistics and water supply.
Aisawa Ichiro of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party speaks during a meeting of lawmakers Wednesday held to discuss the use of AI in election campaigns.
JAPAN
May 28, 2026
Realistic AI-created content to require labels during Japan’s election campaigns
The requirement will apply to videos and images that may be mistaken for those not generated by AI, while those that can be clearly identified as made using AI will be excluded.
Japan’s cautious approach to AI could become a strength by letting the country learn from others’ mistakes and apply the technology to real-world problems.
COMMENTARY
May 28, 2026
Japan’s an AI laggard. That could be its edge.
Japan can learn from the first-movers and skip to the impactful part of turning the technology into real economic infrastructure.
The newest Sony Bravia TVs are likely the brand's final high-end television sets before its TV and home theater business merges with TCL next year.
BUSINESS / Tech
May 28, 2026
Sony takes final bow as standalone TV maker with new Bravia sets
It’s unclear whether Sony’s signature techniques will carry forward, which could prompt some enthusiasts to buy what they may perceive as the last true Sony TVs to come to market.
Beijing on May 13. Even as the yuan strengthened, exports from China hit another record in April, with about half of export growth coming from semiconductors and computers, while traditional categories such as clothing and furniture were flat or shrinking.
BUSINESS / Tech
May 28, 2026
World’s appetite for AI makes China less afraid of stronger yuan
Even as the yuan climbed to its strongest level since 2023 and the economy looked more fragile, policymakers have shown little urgency to step in.
The 18-year-old daughter of former Yomiuri Giants manager Shinnosuke Abe said she consulted ChatGPT before reporting an alleged altercation with her father to a child guidance center.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
May 27, 2026
Former Giants manager’s daughter consulted ChatGPT before reporting altercation
Shinnosuke Abe resigned from his position Tuesday following his arrest on suspicion of physically assaulting his daughter.
Samsung Electronics is the world’s biggest supplier of the memory chips that go into everything from smartphones and electric vehicles to servers at artificial intelligence data centers.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 27, 2026
Samsung workers accept wage deal that averts chip plant strike
The agreement avoids what could have been a damaging strike for Samsung and the tech industry amid shortages in the memory chip sector.
A survey showed that 68.8% of responding companies have no in-house guidelines on social media conduct, despite the risk that a post by an employee could undermine a company's credibility.
BUSINESS
May 27, 2026
70% of companies in Japan have no rules on social media conduct
A survey found that most firms leave posts to individual judgment despite concern about information leaks and online conflicts.
Chris Inglis, who served as the first U.S. national cyber director in 2021-23, speaks during an interview on Tuesday in Tokyo.
BUSINESS / Tech
May 27, 2026
Former U.S. cybersecurity chief urges IT reform in Japan
Systems that have been deployed in Japan for 20-30 years have “many weaknesses,” says Chris Inglis, the first U.S. national cyber director.
People visit an Alibaba booth during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai on July 26, 2025.
BUSINESS / Tech
May 27, 2026
China expands travel curbs to top AI talent at private firms
Government agencies have begun imposing restrictions on individuals involved in advanced AI work and considered strategically important to the country.
Google and Apple are among a group of technology companies that have expressed opposition to a proposed law in Canada allowing police more access to citizens’ data.
BUSINESS / Tech
May 27, 2026
Apple and Google blast Canada’s plan to give police more access to citizen data
The Canadian government is defending the Lawful Access Act, saying it’s designed to ensure police have the legal tools to “prevent, investigate and respond” to modern crime.
The BLR MK2 unmanned armored vehicle is displayed at the Eurosatory defense and security trade fair near in Paris in June 2022.
COMMENTARY / World
May 26, 2026
When war moves at machine speed, politics must not fall behind
Drones, electronic warfare, satellite imagery, battlefield software and rapid technological adaptation have become part of the daily reality of war in Ukraine.
A popular voice actor has sued TikTok’s operator over videos allegedly using an AI-generated imitation of his voice without permission.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
May 26, 2026
Actor files lawsuit against TikTok operator over AI-generated voice use
The lawsuit, filed with the Tokyo District Court by Kenjiro Tsuda last November, is believed to be the first of its kind in Japan.
This photo handed out on May 25 shows Pope Leo XIV signing his first encyclical letter.
WORLD
May 26, 2026
Pope says AI should be ‘disarmed’ to avoid dominating humanity
Pope Leo XIV said artificial intelligence should be “disarmed” to protect humanity from its dangers, adding his voice to a heated debate over the extent to which governments should regulate a technology that is reshaping the world.
Fujikura’s roller-coaster week reveals how quickly the tides can turn for artificial intelligence stock winners as investors realize hopes for explosive growth may have run far ahead of manufacturers’ ability to deliver.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 26, 2026
Japan cable maker rout exposes cracks in AI infrastructure rally
Fujikura almost halved in value in the week through May 20 as investors rushed to dump its stock following a disappointing earnings forecast and lackluster medium-term plan.
The SpaceX Starship and Super Heavy Booster creates sound waves as it lifts off on its 12th test flight from the SpaceX launch complex in Starbase, Texas, on May 22.
BUSINESS / Tech / FOCUS
May 26, 2026
SpaceX debut draws a crowd, but few recent hot IPOs outpace the market
The space exploration company is expected to target ​a $1.75 trillion valuation, but an analysis shows there is ​no guarantee investors ‌will make money.
Uruguay federation reportedly cancels charter flight after World Cup exit
Uruguay's Jose Maria Gimenez reacts after the team's loss against Spain at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday.
Inside Japan’s rigid adoption system, a British family finds a way
James Benstead, his wife, Jesse, and their three children. Their adopted son is in the rear stroller.
India’s gig workers pay the price for exposure to New Delhi’s hazardous air
Rohit Kushwaha waits for a customer as he delivers his last parcel of the day, in New Delhi in January. His work as a delivery driver has helped pay the family’s bills, but has had a significant impact on his health.
Chinese and Russian bombers and fighter jets stage joint patrol near Japan
A Chinese Air Force H-6 bomber is seen during a joint patrol with Russian military aircraft on Saturday.
Japan’s fertility system offers few safe paths for same-sex couples
A Tokyo Pride parade participant holds a sign that says "we want to be a married couple, not a couple."
Inside Japan’s rigid adoption system, a British family finds a way
James Benstead, his wife, Jesse, and their three children. Their adopted son is in the rear stroller.
A French ship with close ties to Japan combines arts and sciences on the high seas
Romain Troublé, the executive director of Tara Ocean Foundation, speaks to visitors aboard the Tara during a rare port call in Tokyo in April.
In Kyushu’s far south, Senti.U sparks a culinary destination
Chef Yasuhiko Uchida was born in Saga Prefecture but has made his home in Kanoya, Kagoshima Prefecture, since 2012.
‘The colors speak for themselves’: How Japan’s chroma bible went global
“A Dictionary of Color Combinations” is meant to function as a quick-reference guide for artists, designers and anyone with a passing interest in aesthetics as a quantifiable pursuit.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

The Terasaka Rice Terraces are seen with Mount Buko in the background.
What Yokoze can teach Japan about rural revival
By Alex K.T. Martin

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