Japan's miso exports have surged 7x in 30 years, and natto sells for $20 at high-end NYC supermarkets. Driven by the gut health movement, plant-based eating, and top chefs' fascination, traditional Japanese fermented foods are reshaping global dining. Discover the science behind koji mold, Japan's "national fungus", and how a $250+ billion fermented food market is booming worldwide.
Japan's autonomous container ship "Genbu" has begun the world's first commercial operation with both bridge and engine room automation. Built from scratch over three years under the MEGURI2040 project, this AI-powered vessel features automatic route planning, collision avoidance, and self-docking, addressing Japan's critical crew shortage and logistics crisis.
On February 3, 2026, the Nikkei 225 surged 2,065 yen to close at an all-time high of 54,720. We analyze the driving forces behind the 5th largest daily gain in history, including the semiconductor rally revival, US market momentum, yen weakness, and the "Takaichi Trade" ahead of snap elections.
The Bank of Japan has officially begun selling its massive ETF holdings worth ¥37 trillion ($240B) at book value. With annual sales of just ¥330 billion, this unprecedented unwinding could take over 112 years. Here's what it means for global markets and Japan's financial future.
From Ito-Yokado to Parco and Meitetsu Department Store, commercial facilities across Japan are shutting down at an alarming rate. With e-commerce growth, population decline, and aging buildings converging, redevelopment plans remain uncertain. We explore the impact on local economies and what comes next.
Japan achieved a world-first by extracting rare earth mud from 6,000m deep near Minamitorishima in January 2026. Explore the latest on Japan's seabed mineral resource development, commercialization roadmap, environmental challenges, and what it means for global critical mineral supply chains.
A comprehensive look at SiC and GaN power semiconductor innovations reshaping the industry. From 8-inch wafer migration and vertical GaN breakthroughs to surging AI data center demand, explore Japan's role in the next-gen power revolution.
Japan's hotel industry faces one of the worst labor shortages in the developed world, with over 60% of hotels reporting staff shortages. From AI chatbots and facial recognition check-in to cleaning robots and dynamic pricing, Japanese hotels are turning to technology as a lifeline. Explore real-world cases including the famous Henn na Hotel, which runs 144 rooms with just 7 staff, and the latest generative AI initiatives backed by Japan's tourism agency.
Both the US and Japan are undergoing historic shifts in digital asset regulation in 2026. From Trump's GENIUS Act and Bitcoin Strategic Reserve to Takaichi's 20% flat tax and financial instruments law reform, explore how the world's two largest crypto-friendly economies are reshaping the future of digital finance.
Fujitsu successfully piloted its LLM "Takane" with a Japanese central government agency, automatically classifying and summarizing approximately 120,000 characters of public comment data in about 10 minutes. The company aims to launch a comprehensive generative AI service for policy formulation and legislation by FY2026.
Japan welcomed a record 42.68 million visitors in 2025, with tourism spending reaching ¥9.5 trillion. While cities like Tokyo and Kyoto still dominate, rural prefectures like Tottori (+151%) and Niigata (+69%) are experiencing remarkable growth. Explore how Japan's lesser-known regions are preparing for—and benefiting from—the inbound tourism wave, while tackling overtourism and infrastructure challenges.
