Kaga, Ishikawa Prefecture — On a gray December morning, far from Tokyo’s neon-lit streets, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi found himself outside an aging municipal building in Kaga, a modest hot-spring town along Japan’s Sea of Japan coast. The moment was symbolic: instead of launching a bold new service in a major metropolis, Uber’s latest push… Continue reading Uber’s Long Road Into Japan Runs Through a Quiet Hot-Spring Town
Author: Jai Thakkar
Thailand’s Cannabis Experiment Faces Backlash as Youth Use Raises Alarm
Thailand’s bold move to decriminalize cannabis was once promoted as a key driver of economic recovery after the pandemic. Just a few years later, that same policy is fueling mounting public concern — particularly over rising cannabis use among children — and could soon be reversed following next month’s national election. In 2022, Thailand made… Continue reading Thailand’s Cannabis Experiment Faces Backlash as Youth Use Raises Alarm
Korean Art Presence Grows Across Singapore Art Week 2026
From resort ballrooms to repurposed port warehouses, Korean artists and curators are taking part in a wide range of exhibitions during Singapore Art Week (SAW) 2026, signaling a deeper engagement with Southeast Asia’s expanding contemporary art ecosystem. Hosted annually by Singapore’s National Arts Council, SAW is among the region’s largest art events, unfolding each January… Continue reading Korean Art Presence Grows Across Singapore Art Week 2026
Generative AI Begins to Bite Into Incomes of Japan’s Creative Workers
Generative artificial intelligence is starting to leave a measurable mark on Japan’s creative economy, with a growing number of artists reporting that the technology is affecting their livelihoods. A recent survey by the Freelance League of Japan, an organization that tracks working conditions for independent professionals, found that more than 10% of creators experienced a… Continue reading Generative AI Begins to Bite Into Incomes of Japan’s Creative Workers
Japan Issues Heavy Snow Alerts Along the Sea of Japan Coast
Severe winter weather is tightening its grip on parts of Japan, prompting authorities to issue high-level snow warnings in several regions bordering the Sea of Japan. Meteorologists cautioned that snowfall is intensifying rapidly in certain areas, raising the risk of transportation disruptions and other weather-related incidents. As of Thursday, Ishikawa and Shiga prefectures were placed… Continue reading Japan Issues Heavy Snow Alerts Along the Sea of Japan Coast
Big AI’s Healthcare Ambitions May Be Running Ahead of Reality
Artificial intelligence companies are making increasingly bold moves into healthcare, positioning their chatbots as tools that could reshape how patients and doctors interact with medical information. OpenAI has unveiled plans for a consumer-oriented product dubbed ChatGPT Health, while rival Anthropic is promoting a version of its Claude chatbot designed to assist clinicians with diagnosis support… Continue reading Big AI’s Healthcare Ambitions May Be Running Ahead of Reality
Japan’s World Cup Momentum Builds — Even as Doubts Linger
Japan’s men’s national soccer team closed out 2025 with a surge of confidence, stringing together a series of impressive results that have energized fans and raised expectations ahead of the World Cup in North America this summer. The year ended on a particularly high note with a dramatic comeback victory against Brazil, a performance that… Continue reading Japan’s World Cup Momentum Builds — Even as Doubts Linger
Brands Reassess Ties After Celebrity Chef Admits to Multiple DUI Offenses
Several consumer brands are facing renewed scrutiny following revelations by celebrity chef Im Seong-keun, a contestant from Season 2 of Netflix’s cooking competition “Culinary Class Wars,” that he has been convicted of driving under the influence on three separate occasions over the past ten years. Im, who rose to popularity for his sharp wit, confident… Continue reading Brands Reassess Ties After Celebrity Chef Admits to Multiple DUI Offenses
Korea and Italy Move to Strengthen Strategic and Industrial Partnership at Seoul Summit
South Korea and Italy agreed to significantly deepen cooperation across advanced industries and strategic sectors during a high-level summit in Seoul, signaling a renewed commitment to closer bilateral ties amid growing global economic and security challenges. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met with President Lee Jae Myung on Monday, marking a milestone visit that carried… Continue reading Korea and Italy Move to Strengthen Strategic and Industrial Partnership at Seoul Summit
Why Japan Is Reassessing Its Immigration Strategy
Global interest in Japan has never been stronger. Tourists are arriving in record numbers, foreign workers are filling labor gaps, and international investors continue to eye the country with growing enthusiasm. Yet inside Japan, the rapid pace of this influx is prompting a political and public reckoning over how open the country should be —… Continue reading Why Japan Is Reassessing Its Immigration Strategy