Web3

SoftBank to develop own generative AI platform

TOKYO, Jul 03 (borneobulletin) - Major mobile network provider Softbank Corp is set to develop the company’s own generative artificial intelligence (AI) platform, with an eye on offering services to corporate clients.

The company will invest about JPY20 billion in a supercomputer that is crucial for processing the information that a generative AI platform requires. The machine will use microchips made by United States-based Nvidia Corp, known for making high-performance semiconductors that are used for many generative AI programs. The two companies have been collaborating in several areas including telecommunications. Once completed, the supercomputer is expected to have the highest level of information processing capabilities in Japan.

Softbank has already introduced generative AI at its call centers to assist their customer support services. The company aims to make the platform a new source of revenue by providing other companies with AI services that have a higher level of accuracy.

At a general shareholders meeting on June 20, SoftBank President and Chief Executive Officer Junichi Miyakawa announced that the company would accelerate efforts to develop its own generative AI, saying “Given the recent advancement and growth of AI, I believe we should actively work on the technology.”

Softbank’s parent company Softbank Group Corp also has been strengthening relevant AI businesses. ...continue reading

Do Bears Prefer Acorns or Berries?

Bear sightings across Japan have already climbed to nearly twice the level recorded during the same period last year, prompting entry bans in mountain areas behind Kyoto’s Ninna-ji Temple and the cancellation of hiking events in Kansai, while new research suggests that the key to reducing encounters may lie in understanding what bears eat in each region.

Copper Thieves Target Japanese Shrines

Copper roofing panels were stolen from several shrines in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, including a city-designated cultural property, in the latest case amid a nationwide surge in copper thefts targeting shrines and temples across Japan, where soaring metal prices have fueled crimes that leave historic religious buildings damaged, exposed to the elements, and facing repair costs of millions of yen.

1200-Year-Old Temple on Miyajima Reduced to Ashes

Flames broke out on the morning of May 20th on Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture, home to one of Japan's World Heritage sites, destroying Reikado Hall near the summit of Mount Misen.

From Bento Boxes to Garbage Bags, Rising Costs Hitting Daily Life Across Japan

Uncertainty surrounding the situation in the Middle East is beginning to affect daily life in Japan, as concerns over crude oil supplies spread to restaurants, cleaning services and even household garbage disposal systems across the Kansai region.

Tochigi Robbery-Murder Suspect’s Wife Posted Dance Videos on Social Media

A 25-year-old woman arrested as a suspected ringleader in a robbery-murder case in Tochigi Prefecture once posted cheerful dance videos on social media and was remembered by those who knew her as an energetic and outgoing young woman.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Web3 NEWS

Japan Prepares for New Era of AI-Powered Cyberattacks

An advanced artificial intelligence model developed by U.S.-based AI startup Anthropic is raising alarm worldwide over the growing threat of AI-powered cyberattacks, with experts warning that financial systems and critical infrastructure could become targets if the technology falls into the wrong hands.

Why Fast Payouts Matter to Casino Players Who Follow Combat Sports

Combat sports fans are used to quick shifts. A fighter can be losing a round, land one clean shot, and suddenly the whole fight feels different.

AI Translation Tools Are Now Part of Daily Life Across Japan

Japan is among the countries expanding AI translation systems most rapidly. This technology appears in train stations, airports, hotels, shops, and tourist areas across the country.

Why Japan's Live-Chat Apps Lag Western Equivalents

The Japanese consumer-internet ecosystem has always developed on a slightly different schedule from the West, and the live-chat category is one of the clearest examples.

How Playing Analytical Games Can Improve Your Real-Life Decision Making

Developing strong analytical skills often begins with making small, calculated decisions in our daily digital habits.

Hitachi Partners With Anthropic to Develop AI Systems for Power and Rail Sectors

Hitachi announced on May 19th that it has entered into a partnership with U.S.-based startup Anthropic to develop AI systems for a broad range of sectors including electricity and transportation.

The Illinois Business Owner's Guide to Evaluating Search Optimization Providers

Illinois businesses operate in one of the most economically diverse states in the nation, spanning global financial centers, heavy manufacturing corridors, expansive agricultural regions, and thriving suburban service economies.

Nissan Bets on AI Technology to Return to Profit

As competition intensifies over AI-powered autonomous driving technology, Nissan unveiled a new premium minivan equipped with its latest systems, highlighting the automaker’s push to regain momentum in Japan’s struggling domestic market.

< 2 3 4 5 >