Hitachi's Physical AI strategy targets a roughly $125 billion market by 2030. Learn how Japan's manufacturing giant is using AI to preserve skilled workers' tacit knowledge and address labor shortages in social infrastructure.
The Pokémon Company's licensing division has no sales targets. Decisions rest solely on whether an idea is "interesting," sometimes greenlit regardless of profitability. Discover how this brand-first philosophy, prioritizing 30-year longevity over short-term gains, built the world's highest-grossing media franchise, worth an estimated $90 billion.
Mitsui Fudosan unveils Japan's first full-electric passenger ferry Nihonbashi e-LINER, launching regular service between Nihonbashi and Toyosu in April 2026. Zero emissions, silent operation, and emergency response capabilities.
Generative AI doubles computing demand every 5.5 months. Far from a 'bubble,' this is a structural transformation of the semiconductor industry. Explore NVIDIA's dominance, Japan's strengths in equipment and materials, and how Rapidus and TSMC Kumamoto are shaping the future of Japanese semiconductors.
Japan's print book and magazine sales fell below ¥1 trillion for the first time in 50 years. Yet major publishers are posting strong profits through digital, IP licensing, and gaming ventures. Crisis or evolution? A deep dive into Japan's publishing transformation with Japanese public reactions.
Explore Fujitsu's groundbreaking explainable AI "Kozuchi XAI" for solar flare impact prediction. Learn how this collaborative research with Nagoya University and JAXA aims to protect astronauts and critical infrastructure from space weather hazards.
Major Chinese restaurant chains are rapidly expanding into Japan. From Haidilao hot pot to Yang Guo Fu malatang to MIXUE's budget drinks, we explore the brands entering Japan, the factors driving expansion including domestic competition and the Japanese Chinese population, and the impact on Japan's food service industry.
Japanese convenience store steamed buns (chukaman) are undergoing a remarkable evolution. From super-sized meat buns to sweet varieties like hotcake and chocolate buns, and international flavors like Korean and Taiwanese cuisine, discover how the Big Three convenience stores are competing in this 60 billion yen market with innovative creations.
Japan Post launched "Digital Address" in May 2025, a revolutionary service that converts complex Japanese addresses into 7-character alphanumeric codes. Discover how Rakuten and GMO are adopting this new address infrastructure, and what Japanese people think about it.
SoftBank accelerates its net-zero journey with AI-powered base station sleep control saving 5 million kWh annually and hybrid solar-wind self-powered stations. Learn how Japan's telecom giant is revolutionizing green infrastructure.
Yamaguchi University researchers discovered four new rare earth-containing minerals at Gunma Prefecture's Mokurasawa Mine. Amid Japan's push to reduce China dependence, this discovery holds both scientific significance and strategic implications for resource security.