A Kyoto University team has identified the brain's "motivation brake" behind the inability to start unpleasant tasks. The VS-VP pathway, linking the ventral striatum and ventral pallidum, suppresses action initiation under stress. The finding may inform work on avolition in depression and on burnout.
JAXA's robust low-boom design technology aims to cut the sonic boom to less than half of Concorde's. A roughly 10-meter unmanned demonstrator is due to fly around 2028, with the results headed for ICAO's supersonic noise standard, expected in 2031. In the US, the X-59 flew supersonic for the first time in June 2026.
Japanese space startup ispace has been selected for JAXA's Space Strategy Fund, securing up to $130 million over about five years for a 2029 lunar south pole landing. The mission tackles precision landing, extended surface operations and relay satellite deployment. After a 2026 reshuffle it is now designated Mission 4.
Japanese startup blueqat unveiled Japan's first domestic semiconductor quantum computer at SEMICON Japan 2025. Leveraging existing chip manufacturing technology, the company targets 1 million qubits by 2030 and commercial deployment in 2026. With relaxed temperature requirements compared to superconducting systems, desktop-sized quantum computers may become reality.
Japan launched the 12th and final Mogami-class frigate "Yoshii" in December 2025. With 12 ships completed in just 5 years without delays, Japan demonstrates superior shipbuilding capability while Western nations struggle. Australia has selected Japan's New FFM as its next frigate.
Discover why methanol fuel ships are emerging as a game-changer in 2026. From Tsuneishi's world-first Kamsarmax bulker to Mitsubishi's pioneering RORO vessels, Japanese shipbuilders lead the decarbonization race. Learn about methanol's advantages, IMO regulations, and the future of green shipping.
NTT is moving to repurpose its nationwide underground communication conduits for hydrogen transport. Using 600,000km of existing infrastructure could cut initial costs to under half of new pipeline construction. Commercialization is targeted for 2028, with transport trials in Tokyo set for fiscal 2026.
Kyushu Electric's CEO predicts 20-30% power demand increase by 2034 due to TSMC semiconductor expansion and AI data center growth. Japan's 7th Basic Energy Plan emphasizes renewables and nuclear power to meet surging electricity needs.
Following a ransomware attack in September 2025, Asahi Beer's October-December sales fell nearly 20% year-on-year. This article examines the challenges facing Japanese corporate cybersecurity through the case of Japan's largest beer manufacturer, which suffered significant damage during the crucial year-end sales season.
Groundbreaking research from Shinshu University and Asahimatsu Foods reveals that koya-dofu (freeze-dried tofu), a traditional Japanese preserved food, contains resistant protein that promotes GLP-1 production, potentially preventing obesity and fatty liver disease. Discover why the world is turning to Japanese fermented and preserved foods for health benefits.
JAXA, the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, and Tohoku University are working toward TSUKUYOMI, a radio telescope on the Moon. A prototype called LOPTA flies in the 2020s, with 10 or more antennas to follow by the late 2030s. The target is the 21-cm hydrogen line from the Cosmic Dark Ages, the first 100 million years after the Big Bang.