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AI Boom Prompts IMF to Upgrade 2026 Global Growth Forecast

Jan 20 (News On Japan) - The International Monetary Fund said on January 19th that it expects the global economy to expand 3.3% in 2026, raising its forecast by 0.2 percentage points from its previous projection released in October 2025.

The IMF attributed the upgrade to growing investment linked to artificial intelligence, along with a more accommodative financial environment that it said is supporting economic momentum.

By country, the fund revised up Japan’s 2026 growth outlook by 0.1 percentage points to 0.7%, while the United States received a larger upgrade of 0.3 percentage points to 2.4%.

Source: テレ東BIZ

Himeji Castle Hikes Admission Fee for Non-Residents

The admission fee for the World Heritage-listed Himeji Castle in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, was revised on March 1st for the first time in 11 years, introducing a dual pricing system that significantly raises costs for visitors from outside the city.

Avalanche Strikes Nagano-Niigata Ski Resort, Four Injured

An avalanche struck an advanced-level course at Madarao Kogen Ski Resort, which spans Niigata and Nagano prefectures, on February 28th, leaving four people injured, including two family members.

Australian Girl, 8, Dies After Snowmobile Overturns in Hakuba

An eight-year-old Australian girl died after a snowmobile overturned in Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture, at around 11 a.m. on February 28th, with authorities investigating the cause of the accident.

Major Maglev Excavation Begins

The assembly of a massive shield machine for tunnel construction at the Kanagawa Station site of the Linear Chuo Shinkansen has been completed, with the site opened to the media as excavation prepares to move forward toward Nagoya.

Bear Sightings Spread Across Japan, Experts Call It Abnormal

Although February is typically the height of the hibernation season, bears have already been sighted across Japan, raising concerns of another wave of deadly encounters.

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AI Oven Recreates Artisan Technique for Fluffy Baumkuchen

The fluffy “Tomita no Tamago Baumkuchen,” produced at the cafe Yuuhi Terrace in Miyakonojo, Miyazaki Prefecture, has become a local specialty sweet made with locally sourced eggs and ingredients from across Kyushu.

Mysterious AI Startup Akari Soars Past 100 Billion Yen

An AI startup that emerged almost overnight, Akari had long been known only to insiders due to its limited media exposure, but after receiving investment from Mitsubishi Electric at the end of January and seeing its corporate valuation surge past 100 billion yen, the Tokyo-born venture has rapidly positioned itself as a leading unicorn candidate in Japan’s AI sector.

Mizuho To Shift 5,000 Jobs As AI Slashes Back-Office Work

Mizuho Financial Group has decided on a policy to improve operational efficiency through the use of artificial intelligence, aiming to reduce administrative work equivalent to as many as 5,000 employees over the next decade.

Ranking of Most-Watched AI Platforms

An analysis of posts on the creator platform note has produced a ranking of the most talked-about generative AI foundation models, based on a surge in articles about how these tools are being used across industries, with the top spot going to an AI increasingly adopted in education.

AI Agents Poised To Reshape Business

How will AI transform marketing? The answer, according to leading marketer Kazuki Nishiguchi, lies not in marginal efficiency gains but in a dramatic restructuring of business itself, as AI agents move closer to consumers and potentially displace even dominant platforms such as Amazon.

Will AI Strengthen the Kansai Economy?

Business leaders gathered at the 64th Kansai Business Seminar held at the Kyoto International Conference Center on February 5th and 6th to debate pressing issues facing the regional economy—including AI adoption, the legacy of the Osaka–Kansai Expo, and the use of foreign talent—offering a snapshot of where Kansai stands and where it may be headed.

Why Claude Is Beating ChatGPT at Work

Anthropic’s latest Claude rollout is reigniting a familiar fear across Silicon Valley: that AI “agents” will hollow out the software-as-a-service business by replacing subscription tools with a single model that can handle office workflows end to end.

How Users Compare Crypto Platforms Without Falling for Scams

Statistics show that over 12.41 million Japanese people use cryptocurrency. That’s about 15% of the country’s adult population.

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