Why has Honda's Super Cub become the most produced motor vehicle in history with over 110 million units? From its origins as "a bike a soba delivery boy can ride one-handed" to its legendary durability and global cultural impact — discover the philosophy that made this humble motorcycle an icon in 160+ countries.
Rome's iconic Trevi Fountain began charging a €2 ($2.35) entry fee on February 2, 2026, to manage over 9 million annual visitors. Explore how this overtourism measure compares to similar efforts in Venice, Kyoto, and other global destinations struggling to balance tourism and preservation.
As TSMC exits GaN foundry services, Japan's Rohm acquires TSMC's technology license to manufacture 650V GaN power semiconductors in-house at its Hamamatsu factory. A deep dive into the next-generation power chips reshaping the AI and EV era.
French automotive giant Valeo and Japanese test & measurement leader Anritsu have jointly developed a digital twin verification environment for next-generation SDVs. The cloud-based solution eliminates the need for physical vehicles or test tracks, enabling comprehensive virtual testing of connected car systems. Joint demo to debut at MWC 2026.
A Japanese research team has developed a single organic crystal that glows red under UV light and green under near-infrared light. This dual-mode material could transform optical sensing, energy harvesting, and medical imaging. Here's what makes it groundbreaking.
Japanese space startup ALE announces "Starlight Challenge," its third attempt to create the world's first artificial shooting stars after two previous setbacks. Targeting a 2028 space demonstration and commercialization by 2029, this ambitious project blends space entertainment with atmospheric science research.
Japan's semiconductor giant Renesas Electronics reported a ¥51.7 billion net loss for FY2025—its first red ink in six years. Triggered by Wolfspeed's bankruptcy causing a $1.6 billion write-down, sluggish automotive demand, and a slow pivot to AI chips, the results raise questions about Japan's semiconductor strategy. We analyze what went wrong and what comes next.
Japanese semiconductor equipment makers are expanding their global presence amid the AI chip boom. Tokyo Electron dominates coater/developers with 90%+ share, SCREEN leads wafer cleaning, and Advantest tops semiconductor testing. We analyze how Japanese firms leverage precision manufacturing to thrive in a market projected to reach $156 billion by 2027—and the challenges they face from US and European rivals.
Kyoto-based precision instrument maker HORIBA has acquired Indian startup Pristine Deeptech to accelerate diamond wafer commercialization. Diamond is called the "ultimate semiconductor material" with properties far surpassing silicon. Learn about HORIBA's strategy to build an R&D hub in India for next-generation power semiconductors and quantum sensors.
Nagano-based IT company TOSYS has launched Japan's first commercial container data center featuring both water-cooling and liquid immersion cooling. Deployable in as little as 3 months, powered by renewable energy, and with plans for perovskite solar panels, this regional initiative is redefining Japan's data center strategy for the AI era.
A 1908 mansion built by Hakodate's wealthiest merchant is reborn as a 3-room heritage hotel. Japan's new "Kazeno Heritage" brand lets guests sleep inside nationally designated cultural properties — and help preserve them.