SoftBank Group Invests in OpenAI With $715 Billion Yen Investment

At the White House, President Donald Trump brought together corporate executives, including SoftBank Group Chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son, to highlight major investment commitments made in the United States—presenting them as a direct result of his administration's efforts.

Two women, a 54-year-old mother and her 26-year-old daughter from Kasukabe City in Saitama Prefecture, have been referred to prosecutors by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police for allegedly selling nail parts resembling the logos of luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton without authorization.

The Bank of Japan decided at its monetary policy meeting on May 1st to keep its policy interest rate at the current level of around 0.5%, marking the second consecutive meeting since March in which rates were left unchanged.

Toyota has announced that it has reached a basic agreement with Waymo, the autonomous driving division under Google's parent company, to move toward a new partnership.

Matsuo, operator of the Matsuo Jingisukan chain, has embarked on a surprising new venture by opening its first specialty shoe store last week in Atsubetsu Ward, Sapporo, selling footwear instead of lamb.

At Daimaru Umeda, a new event has started featuring popular South Korean cosmetics brands on a weekly rotation, leading to an uptick in visits from younger shoppers and those interested in Korean fashion. Hankyu Umeda is also preparing to launch a new section aimed at customers aged 25 and under, offering a fresh shopping experience that incorporates lifestyle goods and Korean brands.

The largest operator of hospice-style residential facilities, Ishinkan, already under scrutiny for allegedly inflating and falsifying medical service claims for home nursing visits, is now suspected of also fraudulently overbilling for home care services, according to testimony from multiple current and former employees.

Sushiro, one of Japan's leading conveyor belt sushi chains, is rapidly expanding its presence in China. On April 30th, it plans to open its first location in Zhejiang Province, bringing the total number of stores on the mainland to more than 50 in less than four years since entering the market.