Web3

SoftBank Weighs New AI Venture to Build Japan-Made AI Platform

TOKYO, Dec 23 (News On Japan) - SoftBank and other companies are considering establishing a new firm dedicated to the development of artificial intelligence, with the aim of building a domestically produced AI platform through a public-private partnership.

The new company would be led by SoftBank, with multiple Japanese firms also weighing investment, according to sources. Its focus would be the development of a large-scale, highly versatile foundation AI model, which would be provided as core technology to companies developing AI for specific applications.

Highly general-purpose AI platforms are currently dominated by overseas players such as those in the United States, resulting in Japan’s heavy reliance on foreign technology. Against this backdrop, the Takayama administration is considering providing support totaling around 1 trillion yen over five years starting next fiscal year to back the new company’s development efforts.

Source: テレ東BIZ

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 >