Web3

SoftBank to Exclusively Sell AI Smartphone in Japan

TOKYO, Apr 18 (News On Japan) - SoftBank said on April 17 that it will exclusively sell in Japan an AI-equipped smartphone developed for the Japanese market by U.S. startup Brain Technologies.

The device features a side button that activates an AI agent capable of understanding content on social media platforms such as LINE and Instagram. Based on that information, the system can suggest next actions, including entering events into a calendar app or making restaurant reservations.

SoftBank plans to release the smartphone next week. The company also said it is considering development of successor models in the future.

Source: テレ東BIZ

Bluefin Tuna Prices Tumble on Record Haul

Bluefin tuna, now being caught in unusually large numbers around areas such as Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture, is becoming significantly more affordable, with some restaurant operators even saying it is cheaper than horse mackerel.

Is Japan Really Running Short of Naphtha?

The impact of Japan’s growing naphtha shortage is spreading across a widening range of industries, raising concerns about manufacturing, logistics, and even daily consumer life.

Japanese Cinema in Cannes Spotlight

The Cannes Film Festival opened this week with three Japanese films nominated for the festival’s top prize, the Palme d'Or, including 'Sheep in the Box' directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, 'Nagi Notes' directed by Koji Fukada, and 'Suddenly Feeling Unwell' directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi.

Japan Greenlights Coverage for iPS Parkinson’s Treatment

Japan has approved the application of public health insurance to a regenerative medicine product using iPS cells to treat Parkinson’s disease, marking the world’s first practical use of iPS cell-based regenerative medicine.

Chinese Buyers Drive Property Surge in Japan’s Luxury Districts

Foreign acquisition of Japanese land has become a growing topic of debate in recent years, and now the trend is reaching Ashiya, one of the Kansai region’s most prestigious residential areas, where soaring property prices are increasingly being linked to demand from wealthy Chinese buyers.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Web3 NEWS

AI Grossly Underestimates Rare Book's Value

A centuries-old Chinese medical text discovered inside a storage box at the Kyoto Prefectural Botanical Gardens has become the center of attention after being appraised at an astonishing 100 million yen, despite AI initially estimating its value at only around 30,000 yen.

Osaka Tech Expo Showcases AI Cameras and Flameless Lanterns

A technology exhibition featuring the latest tools for attracting customers opened at Osaka’s ATC complex in Nanko on May 13th, bringing together around 90 companies showcasing innovations aimed at the tourism, retail and events industries.

Japan Moves to Counter Fears of AI-Driven Cyberattacks

The Japanese government has ordered an urgent response to growing concerns over a new artificial intelligence system developed by U.S.-based Anthropic that could potentially be exploited for cyberattacks targeting financial institutions and critical infrastructure.