Society

Japanese Tech Giant SoftBank Invests $150 Million In Korean Metaverse Platform

Dec 03 (forbes.com) - Japanese billionaire Masayoshi Son’s SoftBank is investing $150 million in Asia’s busiest metaverse platform, the nascent but sizzling virtual world where people work and play through avatars.

SoftBank’s Vision Fund 2 made its investment in metaverse platform Zepeto, operated by Naver Z, a unit of Korean billionaire Lee Hae-jin's internet giant Naver, according to media reports. The investment values three-year-old Zepeto at more than $1 billion, according to the Wall Street Journal. Zepeto’s other investors include Korean billionaire Bang Si-hyuk's HYBE, which manages K-pop boy band BTS.

The Japanese tech investment giant invested in Zepeto because of the company’s large following, says Rajiv Biswas, Asia-Pacific chief economist with research firm IHS Markit. Zepeto has about 2 million active users a day, making it Asia’s busiest metaverse platform with about 2 million active users a day, according to the Wall Street Journal report. Market research firm Sensor Tower says Zepeto was downloaded 400,000 times in July this year alone.

Japan to Tighten Visa Rules on Foreigners Behind on Health Insurance

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare plans to introduce a new system starting in June 2027 that will, in principle, deny changes or renewals of residence status for foreign residents who fail to pay their national health insurance premiums despite repeated requests for payment.

New Typhoon is Forming, Okinawa Could Be Affected Next Week

As of November 4th, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced that a tropical depression near the Caroline Islands is expected to develop into a typhoon within the next 24 hours. The system is separate from Typhoon No. 25 (Haiyan) currently near the Philippines and is projected to move northwestward once it intensifies.

China Extends Visa-Free Entry for Japan

China’s Foreign Ministry announced that it will extend visa-free entry for Japan, France, and 43 other countries until the end of December 2026, as the government seeks to attract more overseas investment and tourists amid a prolonged economic slowdown.

Akita Woman Becomes 13th Bear Victim

Japan’s record-breaking bear crisis has entered a new and deadly phase, with authorities confirming that a 79-year-old woman missing in Akita Prefecture was found dead in the mountains, believed to be the 13th fatality from bear attacks this year.

Second Bird Flu Case of the Season, Massive Culling Underway

An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza has been confirmed at a poultry farm in Eniwa City, Hokkaido, prompting authorities to begin culling operations on Sunday afternoon.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

13 Japanese Among 57 Foreigners Detained in Cambodia Fraud Base Raid

Thirteen Japanese nationals are among 57 foreigners detained in a police raid on a special fraud base in southeastern Cambodia, according to local reports. Footage captured by JNN showed Cambodian authorities raiding a facility believed to be used for large-scale international scams.

Police Officer Dies After Falling From Bridge in Nishinomiya

A police officer responding to a traffic accident in Hyogo Prefecture died after falling from a bridge on November 3rd in Nishinomiya City, with authorities investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Akita Woman Becomes 13th Bear Victim

Knife-Wielding Woman Causes Chaos at Kabukicho Cinema

A woman armed with a knife was subdued by police after causing a disturbance inside a movie theater in Tokyo’s Kabukicho district on November 2nd.

Headless Body Found Near Yamashita Park in Yokohama

Police in Yokohama are investigating a possible case of corpse abandonment after a headless and partially dismembered body was found floating near Yamashita Park.

Bomb Squad Investigates Suspicious Package at Kyoto Station, DVD Discovered

A suspicious package was discovered at Keihan Railway’s Chushojima Station in Kyoto on November 1st, prompting police to investigate the possibility of an explosive device.

Man's Body Found in Submerged Truck

A truck that had fallen into a river in the town of Okoppe on the Sea of Okhotsk side of Hokkaido was found on the morning of November 2nd, with the body of a man discovered inside.

Shibuya Crowds Subdued in Rain Soaked Halloween

Halloween Eve in Shibuya still drew a festive atmosphere, with people gathering in costume and enjoying the night. Tokyo police deployed several hundred officers, including the well-known “DJ police,” to manage the crowds and prevent congestion at the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing.

< 2 3 4 5 >